Kaitaia locals are defending the town's bustling streets after Dr Lance O'Sullivan called out residents for treating New Zealand's lockdown as "a joke" on Wednesday.
In a live Facebook video, the public health advocate berated the "ridiculous" number of people out and about on Kaitaia's streets and called for immediate change.
"It's not working here, okay. This is not working so we need to change this," he said.
"I'm just going to do a shout now and say this is not what lockdown is about. There's far too many people on the road, far too many cars. You know this is not a lockdown, this is a joke."
But Dr O'Sullivan's sentiment wasn't shared by everyone. While the majority of locals in the town's online community group agreed and urged everyone to stay at home, others were unimpressed with his sweeping statements "tarnishing the community".
"No solutions provided and no discussion about why it's busy," one wrote.
"No consideration toward pensioners and beneficiaries. Pensioners don't do online banking so they go into town. Some whānau probably were caught out last round of pay with kai and have been holding out since.
"So don't jump too quickly to tarnish the community without a solution to the debacle that the [people] you're humming about are merely pawn[s] within."
Others agreed the town had been busier on Wednesday as banks were opened for a short period in the morning, allowing the elderly and those without access to internet banking to sort out their finances.
"Sort out the banks' open[ing] times. Sort out the benefit payment dates by [the] Govt during these once in a lifetime events. Sort out support for [the] elderly," they continued.
Another argued that not everyone out and about on Wednesday were locals, noting that many people from rural areas drive to Kaitaia to run errands and buy groceries.
"[People] that are not from up north have to understand, we are the last and the only place to shop, pay bills... most that are in town are getting supplies for [their] bubbles of 10 at home... [people] travel [hours] to get to Kaitaia and most haven't been in town since before the lockdown pay day, they need to eat and feed the kids," they wrote.
"Not everyone has WiFi or data or owns a phone or a car, you won't see them again until next week... once a week [people] come from afar to get what they need and leave."
Another woman agreed, saying New Zealanders come from "Hokianga, Pamapuria, Waipapa, Kareponia, Te Kao and Mangamuka" to do banking, shopping and other errands.
She also noted how the town's limited facilities contributed to the appearance of overcrowding.
"Oh bloody hell, we've been in isolation for seven days, five of those days have been quiet... one PaknSave, two pharmacies... first pension for two weeks, majority of people's pay day, how many pensioners or people know how or have access to internet banking?
"Of course it's unsafe. Imagine how many of those people in the background wanted to be there? Most likely none of them. It's unsafe but it's the reality kaitaia faces."
In his video, Dr O'Sullivan suggested a courier system might be the best solution for delivering medicines and he would discuss the possibility with a pharmacist.
Dr O'Sullivan, who formerly practiced in Kaitaia, was in the Far North town to set up a medical clinic.
Thursday marks New Zealand's eighth full day in lockdown. Only essential services, such as supermarkets, healthcare facilities and pharmacies, are permitted to stay open and all other employees are expected to work from home if they are able to. Non-essential workers are required to remain at home and may only leave to take exercise in the local area or buy groceries and essential supplies.
