The Ministry of Health has announced there are 98 new community cases of COVID-19 on Saturday.
There are 64 cases in Auckland, 21 in the Waikato, six in the Bay of Plenty, three in Northland, one in the Lakes District and one in Nelson
The Ministry is also reporting two cases in the Hawke's Bay. These cases were tested outside of the Hawke’s Bay but travelled to the region under permitted travel. They have been isolating in the region and the public health risk is believed to be low.
Aucklanders will be able to spend their Saturday doing things they haven't been able to for 108 days - going to bars, restaurants and clubs.
Saturday marks the first weekend in the Red light setting of the new traffic light system.
New Zealand transitioned to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework, or 'traffic light' system, at 11:59pm on Thursday, leaving behind lockdowns for good.
Auckland is in the red setting along with Northland, Taupō and Rotorua, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu. The rest of the North Island is in orange along with the entire South Island.
What you need to know
- There were 98 new COVID-19 cases in New Zealand on Saturday.
- Of these 64 are in Auckland, 21 are in the Waikato, three is in Northland, six are in the Bay of Plenty, one is in Lakes and one is in Nelson.
- There are 73 people in hospital with COVID-19 - a decrease from yesterday. Seven of the cases are in ICU.
- Auckland's border will open on December 15, allowing fully vaccinated Kiwis to travel to and from the region - people can also present a negative test received within 72 hours prior to departure.
- All of New Zealand moved to the traffic light system on December 2 at 11:59pm - the Government has announced which regions will move into red and orange.
- Workers covered by the My Vaccine Pass mandate - staff working at businesses that are required to use vaccine certificates to operate - must have their first jab by Dec 3 and be fully vaccinated by Jan 17.
- The Cook Islands has recorded its first case of COVID-19 after a 10-year-old child returned a weak positive test after arrivng on a repatriation flight from Auckland on Friday.
- Keep up-to-date with the latest locations of interest here.
These live updates have finished.
3:08pm - The Ministry of Health has announced four new locations of interest in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa.
The locations of interest are:
- Bunnings Warehouse Mt Maunganui
- Supercheap Auto Mount Maunganui
- The Warehouse Papamoa Papamoa Beach
- Doug Jarvis Butcher & Deli Papamoa Beach
You can view all the locations of interest here.
2:52pm: Police have issued a statement regarding the protest in Auckland on Saturday.
They say they're currently monitoring the protest activity warn the public about potential disruption to travel plans.
"Our focus remains balancing the safety of all protesters and the public, with the right to peacefully protest," Inspector Beth Houliston says.
"The activity has caused traffic disruption as the group moved towards Government House in Epsom.
"We would like to thank members of the public who have deferred their travel today. We also acknowledge those that have been inconvenienced.
"Police will follow-up any incidents of offending or concern identified during the protest activity."
2:12pm: The Ministry of Health has announced 25 new locations of interest at 1pm including three 'high risk' venues.
The Blackberry Eatery Fashion Island Papamoa in Papamoa and the City Sports Bar Tauranga have been listed as a 'high risk' venues.
If you were at the Blackberry Eatery Fashion Island on Tuesday 30 November at 12:30pm - 3:15pm or the City Sports Bar in Tauranga on either Thursday 25 November at 12:00am - 1:00am or Wednesday 24 November at 8:45pm - 11:59pm, the ministry is aksing you to self-isolate and get a test immediately.
The locations of interest announced at 1pm are listed below.
Papamoa:
- Blackberry Eatery Fashion Island Papamoa - High risk on Tuesday 30 November at 12:30pm - 3:15pm
Te Puke:
- Gull Te Puke - Friday 26 November 8:30am - 9:30am
Nelson:
- Richmond Mall Nelson - Saturday 27 November 1:30pm - 2:40pm
- Hey Sushi Richmond Mall Food Court Richmond - Saturday 27 November 2:15pm - 2:30pm
- Z Richmond Service Station Richmond - Saturday 27 November 2:35pm - 2:45pm
- Z Richmond Service Station Richmond - Saturday 27 November 10:45am - 11:10am
- PAK n SAVE Richmond Mall Richmond - Saturday 27 November 1:40pm - 2:15pm
- Pak’nSave Richmond - Sunday 28 November 11:02am - 11:15am
- Kiwi Bakery Nelson - Monday 29 November 12:05pm - 12:20pm
- Mad Butcher Stoke Nelson - Saturday 27 November 12:00pm - 12:15pm
- Bar and Restaurant of Prince Albert Backpackers Nelson - Friday 26 November 12:00pm - Saturday 27 November 1:00am
- Bar and Restaurant of Prince Albert Backpackers Nelson - Sunday 28 November 12:00pm - Monday 29 November 1:00am
Mount Maunganui:
- Z Central Parade Mount Maunganui Tuesday 23 November 4:45am - 7:00am
- Z Central Parade Mount Maunganui - Wednesday 24 November 4:45am - 7:00am
- JB Hi Fi Bayfair Mount Maunganui - Wednesday 01 December 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Tauranga:
- City Sports Bar Tauranga - high risk - Wednesday 24 November -8:45pm - 11:59pm
- City Sports Bar Tauranga - high risk - Thursday 25 November - 12:00am - 1:00am
Taupo:
- McDonalds Taupo - Tuesday 30 November -11:00am - 3:00pm
- Taharepa Bakehouse and Cafe Taupo - Monday 29 November 2:15pm - 3:10pm
- WOF and REGO Centre Vehicle Testing - Tuesday 30 November 11:00am - 12:00pm
Otorohanga:
- Otorohanga Mobil Otorohanga - Saturday 27 November 12:00pm - 3:00pm
- Thirsty Liquor Otorohanga - Saturday 27 November 5:30pm - 7:00pm
- Otorohanga Mini-mart Otorohanga - Saturday 27 November 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Feilding:
- Rosebowl Bakery & Cafe Feilding - Monday 29 November 9:30am - 9:45am
New Plymouth:
- Blagdon Hot Bread Bakery New Plymouth - Thursday 25 November 9:00am - 11:00am
1:36pm - Here is an update on the vaccination rates by DHB with active COVID cases.
Northland:
- First doses (86 percent); second doses (78 percent)
Auckland Metro DHBs:
- First doses (95percent); second doses (90 percent)
Waikato DHB:
- First doses (92 percent); second doses (85 percent)
Bay of Plenty DHB:
- First doses (91 percent); second doses (83 percent)
Lakes DHB:
- First doses (89 percent); second doses (80 percent)
MidCentral DHB:
- First doses (93 percent); second doses (86 percent)
Nelson-Marlborough DHB:
- First doses (93 percent); second doses (86 percent)
Canterbury DHB:
- First doses (96 percent); second doses (91 percent)
Taranaki DHB:
- First doses (91 percent); second doses (83 percent)
1:31pm - The Ministry of Health has announced that 39,264 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered on Friday.
Of those, 7,352 were the first dose, 17,389 were the second dose, 13,516 boosters shots and 1,007 were third primary doses.
1:28pm - Here are the regional updates for Saturday's cases:
Northland
There are three new cases to report in Kaitaia on Saturday; all are household contacts of a previously reported case.
Testing and vaccination sites open in Northland can be found on the Northland DHB website.
Auckland
Today, there are 64 new cases being reported in Auckland.
There continues to be a daily review of testing numbers and testing locations to ensure good coverage of risk areas.
Health staff are now supporting 3,652 people to isolate at home, including 908 cases.
Waikato
There are 21 new cases to report in the Waikato.
Four previously reported Taranaki cases who were tested in Taranaki, but normally reside in the Waikato have been reclassified as Waikato cases.
The Ministry say they continue to encourage anyone with any symptoms that could be COVID-19 to get a test, particularly those living in Te Kūiti.
Seven pop-up and dedicated testing sites are operating across the Waikato today in Hamilton, Huntly, Te Kūiti, Thames, Taumarunui, and Ōtorohanga.
For a full list of testing and vaccination centres open this weekend in the Waikato, see the DHB website.
There are two COVID-19 positive patients in Waikato Hospital, one in a ward and one in the Intensive Care Unit.
Bay of Plenty
There are six new cases to report in the Bay of Plenty on Saturday. All six cases are in the Western Bay of Plenty and are contacts of existing cases.
One case is receiving care in Tauranga Hospital.
Lakes
There is one new case to report in Mangakino. The case was tested in the Waikato and is being managed by the Waikato DHB.
Testing and vaccination is being stood up in the area today. Details on the hours and location will be available from the Lakes DHB Facebook page.
Nelson-Tasman
The Ministry say there is one linked case to report today in Nelson-Tasman today.
A number of locations of interest have been published for Nelson-Tasman and we ask people living in the region to check these daily.
Several pop-up testing sites are open today and tomorrow:
- Saxton Fields carpark, Suffolk Rd, Stoke, 9am to 6pm
- Trafalgar Centre carpark, Paru Paru Rd, Nelson, 9am to 5pm
- Richmond Showgrounds, 359 Lower Queen St, 9am to 6pm
- Motueka Recreation Centre: Old Wharf Rd, Motueka, 10am to 3pm
Anyone with any mild symptoms that could be COVID-19 is asked to get a test.
Canterbury
There is one new case to report in Canterbury today.
Case interviews are underway to determine how they are linked to the outbreak and identify any contacts and exposure events.
The case was notified after the Ministry’s 9am reporting cut off and will be added to the case tally tomorrow.
1:23pm - The virus has been detected in a second wastewater sample taken on Thursday this week, in Tairāwhiti Gisborne.
Public Health Officials are not aware of any recovered cases in the region who may be shedding the virus and believe there is a strong possibility there could be an undetected case in the community.
Anyone living in the region with any symptoms that could be COVID-19 – no matter how mild – is encouraged to get a test.
Testing is available on Saturday and over the weekend at the following location:
Drive-through at 110 Peel Street
1pm – 5pm (today)
Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 4pm
1:21pm - The Ministry says there are 73 people in hospital with COVID-19 - a decrease from yesterday. Seven of the cases are in ICU with the current age of people being 49.
1:12pm - The Ministry of Health has announced there are 98 new community cases on Saturday.
There are 64 cases in Auckland, 21 in the Waikato, 6 in the Bay of Plenty, 3 in Northland, 1 in the Lakes District and Nelson
The Ministry is also reporting two cases in the Hawke's Bay. These cases were tested outside of the Hawke’s Bay but travelled to the region under permitted travel. They have been isolating in the region and the public health risk is believed to be low.
The Auckland Metro DHB (which includes Auckland, Waitematā and Counties-Manukau) has reached the milestone of 90 percent of its Pacific population having had their first vaccination, with 82 percent now fully vaccinated on Saturday.
This is closely followed by the Auckland DHBs eligible Maori population, who as of earlier on Saturday, had less than 20 doses to go before hitting 90 percent for first vaccinations. This milestone is expected to be reached later on Saturday – with 81 percent of its eligible Maori population also now fully vaccinated.
12:59pm - Protesters from the Brian Tamaki-led Freedom and Rights Coalition have forced a kids' cricket match to be abandoned.
Protesters could be seen walking cross and standing on pitches as they gathered for the 'mass exodus" rally on Saturday.
Stuff is reporting that parents were lining the pitch boundary trying to keep the protesters off, but it hadn't stopped all of them from trampling through the match.
"It's their first game of hardball cricket and we've got all this carry-on going on, and the boys are just trying to get on with their game," Cornwall Cricket Club coach Peter Burton told Stuff.
Karen James, whose son was playing in the game that had to be called off, said it wasn't fair the game had to be called off.
She said it was ironic the protesters were out in support of greater freedoms "when what they're doing is destroying the kids' freedom".
12:55pm - There is no press conference scheduled for 1pm - instead, the Ministry of Health will release a statement with the latest updates on the COVID-19 outbreak.
12:43pm - The 'mass exodus" rally which started at the Auckland Domain on Saturday morning has now made its way into the streets of Newmarket.
Over a thousand people have turned up to the rally with some holding flags and signs on Broadway Rd - the main street of Newmarket.
Some of the signs say, "vax passports are Gov't control" and another says, "be kind and Jacinda resing".
12:30pm - COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has provided a cheeky response when asked how he spent his first night under the new traffic light system.
Some Aucklanders decided to let off pent-up steam - Twitter users saying they'd "never seen Auckland this drunk" - but Hipkins didn't join them.
"Unfortunately not. A very quiet night at home for me," he told Newshub Nation on Saturday morning, wearing a festive hat. "There was no stretching or spreading involved."
Hipkins had the country in stitches back in August, during the early days of the Delta outbreak, when he said at a press conference it would be a "challenge for people in high-density areas to get outside and spread their legs when they are surrounded by other people".
Read the full story here.
12:14pm - The Ministry of Health has announced one new location of interest in Papamoa at 12pm.
The location is the Papamoa Library and the Ministry is asking anyone who was there on Tuesday 30 November between 1:15pm to 4pm to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed.
Click here for all the locations of interest.
11:55am - The Cook Islands have confirmed their first case of COVID-19.
The Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said the case was a 10-year-old boy who returned a weak positive test.
Brown said a passenger on Friday's repatriation flight who tested negative of the virus on 30 November, returned a weak positive test on Friday night.
The case is a 10 year-old child travelling with his mother and two siblings. The mother is fully vaccinated. The three children are all not yet eligible to be vaccinated.
All of the other 172 passengers have returned negative tests.
"We have been preparing ourselves for the time we re-open our borders," Brown said. "Our testing regimes have shown the value of that preparation by catching this case at the border.
"I want to reiterate that for many months we have been planning for how we handle the border reopening and dealing with any potential coronavirus threats, I further reiterate the importance for all eligible members of our population to be vaccinated, to give us that added layer of protection against serious illness and possible death.
"The vaccine is still available to all eligible people, and once we have the all clear to do so, we will be offering the vaccination to our 5-11-year olds, protecting them from getting infected by the coronavirus.
"The ability of this virus to cross borders can be seen worldwide, and that is why border workers wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and follow infection control procedures at work - to eliminate the risk of catching the virus through their work. As an added precaution TMO will be testing all of our border workers who met yesterday's flight. I will keep you posted if there are any further developments.
"I hope you will join me in wishing the family a speedy recovery."
11:45am - Protesters have begun to gather at the Auckland Domain on Saturday morning for a rally being called "Mass Exodus".
This is the sixth time since the beginning of October protesters have gathered at the Domain for a rally.
Advertising online says they will meet at Auckland Domain at 11am and march through the streets of Newmarket.
The promotion has also indicated that the Freedoms & Rights Coalition - which has ties to Destiny Church and Brian Tamaki - has again organised Saturday's protest.
11:40am - A political academic has suggested that Christopher Luxon's plan to dethrone Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister appears to be going for a 'Christian dad' vibe.
The new National Party Leader has not downplayed his religious beliefs since entering politics.
In one of his first interviews since taking the reins of the National Party, Luxon said he agreed with the view that abortion is tantamount to murder - despite about 13,000 being carried out in New Zealand every year - but wouldn't look to overturn its recent decriminalisation.
"He gave a very professional, chief executive-like performance, particularly on his first couple of days," political commentator Ben Thomas told Newshub Nation on Saturday.
"Just like as you might expect from a business leader, you can tell the questions and issues that he was prepped for and the ones that caught him off guard. That'll be the thing he needs to look at going forward - the relentless torrent of issues, having to make snap judgements on everything, and not just preparing for an annual general meeting every year."
Read the full story here.
11:25am - The Ministry of Health has announced a new 'high risk' location of interest in Papamoa.
Anyone who was at Blackberry Eatery Fashion Island, Papamoa on Tuesday 30 November between 12:30pm and 3:15pm is advised to self-isolate, get a test immediately.
Click here for all the locations of interest.
11:20am - Efforts to put together a global treaty on pandemic preparedness and response are taking too long, a group co-led by former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has concluded.
Clark headed the panel with former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. On Saturday, they released the panel's ominously titled final report, Losing Time, which "lays out what needs to happen next" to end the pandemic and stop the next one.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the many flaws in the global system to protect people from pandemics: the most vulnerable people going without vaccines; health workers without needed equipment to perform their life-saving work; and ‘me-first’ approaches that stymie the global solidarity needed to deal with a global threat," said Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Read the full story here.
10:28am - The Cook Islands has reportedly recorded its first COVID-19 case after a repatriation flight arrived in Rarotonga from Auckland on Friday.
1 News is reporting that all the passengers on the flight had to be double vaccinated and present a negative test before boarding.
There are also strict safety measures in place on their arrival into Rarotonga.
The Cook Islands will open its borders to double vaxxed New Zealand visitors on January 14.
1 News says that the person tested positive at the island's quarantine facility – a local resort.
10:20am - The Ministry of Health has announced 12 new locations of interest at 10am. Five are in Nelson, five in Mount Maunganui and two are in Papamoa.
The Bar & Restaurant of Prince Albert Backpackers in Nelson is a location of interest on four occasions while the Nelson Courthouse has been listed with the exposure date on Friday 26 November between 8:30am to 2:30pm.
Mount Maunganui locations of interest:
Mecca Maxima Bayfair Mount Maunganui
Bayfair Shopping Centre Mount Maunganui
Life Pharmacy Bayfair Mount Maunganui
Bunnings Warehouse Mt Maunganui
Farmers Bayfair Mount Maunganui
Papamoa locations of interest:
Bendon Outlet Fashion Island Papamoa
Paper Plus Papamoa Plaza
This comes after they announced the the Robert Harris cafe in Nelson as a 'high risk' location of interest at 9am.
Click here for all the advice and locations of interest on the Ministry of Health website.
10:00am - The Ministry of Health is reporting one new 'high risk' location of interest in Nelson.
The Ministry says that anyone who visited the Robert Harris cafe in Nelson’s Montgomery Square on Tuesday 23 November must self-isolate and and get tested immediately.
Click here for all the locations of interest.
9:50am - Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois told Newshub that "it's a welcomed relief to have our doors open" and that Auckland businesses are excited to be welcoming back customers for the first time in over three months.
"It's a big day for hospitality as we transfer into the new traffic light system and for Auckland hospitality businesses it's a welcomed relief to have our doors open," Bidois told Newshub. "We've had a lot of feedback from members that they are excited to be welcoming their customers back into their premises. There is a good feeling out there, there is a positive vibe as we say hello to regular customers and invite them back to our businesses."
Bidois said it had been a "mixed bag" for businesses on Friday but overall it was "reasonably positive."
Some businesses struggle with the new traffic light framework, but she said it was to be expected since they were moving into a completely new system.
"The reports I have had so far is that the lunch trade was pretty solid for many parts of Auckland. Some weren't as busy as they had expected to be, then others we saw lines at some local cafes, so it's sort of a mixed bag," she says. "So all in all it seems to be reasonably positive feedback.There has been a few glitches here and there as we work through the new system of the traffic light system but that is to be expected as it's a completely new system and there is always the operational processes to work through as a business owner.
"You can plan things out in the best way, but until you try them with your customers that's when you really understand whether that's working or not.
"We've heard some feedback from businesses that the app verifying system has been a bit slow but luckily businesses don't have to be scanning or verifying every vaccine pass that comes into their premises, only a reasonable number.Businesses at this stage can determine what that reasonable number is until we get further advice."
Bidois urged customers in Auckland to be patient. For a lot of businesses, it's the first time welcoming consumers back into their premises in over three months so they may be a little rusty.
"I think it's really important for our wonderful customers coming into our businesses, for Auckland businesses it's been three months since we've had customers on site so people may be a little bit rusty so going in with that information on your mind and being patient as these businesses and teams work through these new process, I think that would be really helpful.
"We've heard from members around the country and particularly in Auckland, there seem to be some really good booking numbers at a lot of our businesses across the city. I spoke to a Waiheke business owner and they said they were fully booked out for the weekend and many other restaurants on Waiheke Island are as well. So there are some really great stories coming into the restaurant association about businesses booked out and hopefully full over the weekend in many cases.
9:25am - The World Health Organization's (WHO) chief scientist on Friday urged people not to panic over the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant and said it was too early to say if vaccines would need to be reworked.
Speaking in an interview at the Reuters Next conference, Soumya Swaminathan said it was impossible to predict if Omicron would become the dominant strain.
"How worried should we be? We need to be prepared and cautious, not panic, because we're in a different situation to a year ago," she said.
Read the full story here.
9:05am - The Hawke's Bay District Health Board has announced two new cases of COVID-19 in a media release on Friday evening.
"It is standard procedure for the DHB to manage a small number of close contacts who are isolating at home in Hawke's Bay following exposure to cases outside the region," Medical Officer of Health Nicholas Jones said.
There are no new locations of interest, Jones said.
Further interviews and testing of close contacts will continue on Saturday.
Read the full story here.
9:00am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage on the COVID-19 outbreak for Saturday, December 4.
