A funeral director is calling on Jacinda Ardern to change the rules of alert level 2 which "lack respect" for grieving families.
On Monday the Prime Minister announced New Zealand would move to level 2 at 11:59pm on Wednesday but while businesses can reopen, gatherings over 10 people are banned.
The Government made the decision as many of the country's COVID-19 clusters had originated at gatherings including a wedding in Bluff, a Matamata bar and an Auckland stag party.
But many people have slammed the funeral restrictions including Shanny Longley of Hawkes Bay's Terry Longley & Son Funeral Services.
Longley told Newshub it's been "difficult and challenging" to farewell those who have died under lockdown and was disappointed to know they wouldn't be easier under level 2.
"When that didn't happen yesterday and funerals were kind of lumped in with all other gatherings it didn't sit right with me," he says.
"I don't think funerals should be the same as going to the gym or going to the movies. They have a very specific role in the community, funerals do, so that people can start their grief and work through those things."
He posted an open letter to Ardern on a friend's Facebook page saying the rules were "an oversight".
"Dear Jacinda Ardern," Longley wrote. "I have been a supporter of all that has been done so far and the outstanding results that this country has achieved.
"New Zealand should be proud of the results so far and personally I am proud and thankful to have you as our leader.
"However I believe that continuing to limit funeral numbers is unfair and those that have advised you and the Cabinet should sit and tell a grieving family that some of them cannot be part of a farewell.
"How do you select ten people to say their final goodbye and tell others they cannot? It denies those people comfort at one of the hardest times in their lives and the beginning of their healing and grieving process."
Longley says even if the Government could allow funerals to operate with 50 people, it would be "a step forward in helping families".
"That would accommodate most families and most really close friends," he told Newshub.
"That could be done in chapels or churches with the appropriate distancing very easily. Funeral directors are very good at this stuff, we do it all the time and manage those situations."
He predicts if the rules don't change, many families will ignore them so they can get closure at an already stressful time.
His letter comes after Funeral Directors Association president Gary Taylor said he was "shocked and disappointed" by the rules on The AM Show on Tuesday.
Host Mark Richardson agreed, saying the restrictions showed a total lack of trust in Kiwis.
"This funeral thing - it's disgraceful," he said. "If you said to people, 'You can go and farewell your loved one, a large group can turn up [but] please adhere to social distancing', the funeral directors will make sure that exists."
