There were 1122 breaches of New Zealand's COVID-19 lockdown rules in Counties Manukau alone during alert level 4, new data has revealed.
The staggering figure was the highest in the country - nearly double the second-worst district of Wellington which recorded 655 breaches.
In total, there were 5857 breaches of both the Civil Defence Emergency and Health Acts in New Zealand during alert level 4.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said in a statement on Tuesday the focus for the police during lockdown was to educate and encourage compliance. Where breaches were persistent or serious, enforcement action was taken, he said.
Of the breaches, 629 people were prosecuted, 5041 were warned, and 183 were referred to Youth Aid, the data shows.
Cmmr Coster explained police will continue to be visible during alert level 3.
"We will continue to take an education-first approach and urge all New Zealanders to familiarise themselves with the updated restrictions and what they mean for them.
"As with alert level 4, police will not hesitate to take enforcement action, either through warnings or arrests, for any serious or persistent breaches."
Total breaches by district (includes both Civil Defence and Emergency and Health Acts):
- Auckland City - 555
- Bay of Plenty - 324
- Canterbury - 499
- Central - 544
- Counties Manukau - 1122
- Eastern - 369
- Northland - 216
- Southern - 385
- Tasman - 331
- Waikato - 416
- Waitematā - 441
- Wellington - 655
