Health Minister Chris Hipkins has outlined new rules for the Government's mask mandate which comes into effect on Monday, August 31.
Jacinda Ardern recently announced face coverings would become mandatory for everyone using public transport under alert levels 2, 3 and 4.
"This isn't a decision we took lightly, but we know masks protect you and the people around you. They limit the chance of COVID-19 spreading in places that it is often harder to distance yourself to trace people," the Prime Minister said.
At Thursday's 1pm update, Hipkins said he is signing a new order under section 11 of the COVID-19 response act that sets out how the mask mandate will work in practice.
"Face coverings should be worn on public transport and aircraft. That includes trains, buses and ferries," he said.
"They do not need to be worn on school buses, on charter and group tours, Interislander ferries or on private flights or by private contractors of air services such as top dressers.
"These groups are likely to already be in each other's bubbles as part of a registered group or have space to physically distance, for example on the Interislander ferries.
"In addition to this, face coverings do not have to be worn by passengers of small passenger vehicles such as taxis or Ubers but the drivers will be required to wear masks."
Currently, there are several groups of people and instances when mask wearing isn't required, Hipkins said.
"People under 12 years of age will be exempt as in line with World Health Organization guidance.
"People with a disability or physical or mental condition that makes covering their face unsuitable will also not have to wear a mask.
"There other times when it won't be required, for example, in an emergency or where it's unsafe, or when you need to prove your identity or if they are communicating with someone who is deaf, or required by law."
The Government has been clear that face masks aren't the only option, with coverings such as scarfs and "adapted t-shirts" also allowed.
"If people are putting in the effort to cover their face, that would then satisfy that order," Ardern said.
Hipkins said he hopes Kiwis will follow the rules. If they refuse to, they could be subject to an infringement of up to $300 or a fine imposed by a court of up to $1000.
"We do not have a mask-wearing culture here in New Zealand. This is going to take us all some time to get used to and so we do ask for patience and cooperation as we all get used to taking this additional protective step.
"What we are asking is for people to wear a mask just as you would buckle up when getting into a car."
However, he remained coy on how it will be enforced.
"We don't have police stopping every car to make sure they are wearing a seatbelt and we won't be stopping everyone getting off a bus to make sure they are wearing a mask. We are asking for New Zealanders to comply with this."
The Government is also releasing a further 3 million masks in a one-off boost to supply which will be distributed amongst iwis, social services groups and community food banks in centres and regions where there is public transport.
