A North Island iwi is calling for an immediate regional lockdown around Ruapehu after a COVID-infected person visited the Tūroa Ski Area.
Ohakune-based iwi Ngāti Rangi is urging outsiders to stay away from their rohe - especially Aucklanders.
Earlier this week it was revealed that a positive case from the Auckland cluster visited the ski field on Sunday, August 9.
In response, iwi chairman Whetu Moataane says the borders surrounding the area "need to shut immediately".
"We are calling for an immediate regional lockdown to protect our whānau and wider community. We experienced self-isolators in Ohakune at the last lockdown and we don't need that again considering the amount of vulnerable living population we have," he said on Sunday.
"We have a duty to protect and care for our community and we are encouraging local authorities to step up and do the same. Closing our borders will eliminate the risk completely. It's a no-brainer and we don't know why it hasn't happened already. It's not good enough."
Since the news broke of a fresh community outbreak, the number of people affected has continued to grow. There are now 49 active cases of community transmission - 12 of which were new cases detected as of Sunday.
The 12 new community cases are all Auckland-based and early investigations show they appear to be connected to the existing cluster.
Moataane says it's especially important for Aucklanders to stay away.
"Ruapehu is not open for travellers. Regardless of current alert levels, we all need to be extra cautious and not travel unnecessarily," he says.
"This is especially important for Aucklanders and those who have been in contact - close or otherwise with Aucklanders. There are enough tourists here already and we don't need anymore.
"That's why we are asking people to respect our place, by respecting our wishes. Stay home. If people love our rohe just as we do, they will respect our position and help us to look after our whānau and our community."
