As it happened: Latest on COVID-19 community outbreak - Thursday, December 9

A Canterbury doctor who Newshub uncovered issuing medical exemptions to clients who don't want to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is engaging in "very unethical behaviour", according to Minister Chris Hipkins. 

Registered GP Dr Jonie Girouard runs a weight loss clinic in Kaiapoi. After Newshub learnt she was issuing medical exemptions to anti-vaxxers, a highly experienced journalist went in undercover using a hidden camera.

Newshub recorded Dr Girouard providing unofficial medical certificates to clients and coaching them on how to use the exemptions to evade employers' mandates. An official exemption needs to be assessed, approved and granted by the Ministry of Health.

Speaking to RNZ's Morning Report on Thursday, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said issuing medical exemptions to people who don't want the vaccine is "very unethical" and "almost certainly doesn't meet the standards" of the GP profession.

What you need to know:

• There are 103 new cases of COVID-19 to report on Thursday - 88 in Auckland, nine in Waikato, five in Bay of Plenty and one in Lakes. A case has also been detected in Christchurch but will be recorded in Friday's figures.
• Seventy people are in hospital, five of whom are in intensive care or high dependency units.     
• Auckland's border will open on Dec 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.
• Workers covered by the My Vaccine Pass mandate - staff working at businesses that are required to use jab certificates to fully operate - must be fully vaccinated by Jan 17.
• The Government announced on Monday that Pharmac had purchased 60,000 doses of the new drug molnupiravir, an antiviral pill that can help with treating COVID-19.
• A worker at David Lange Care Home in Māngere East has tested positive for COVID-19.
  
• The Ministry of Health suspects there is "at least one undetected case" in Gisborne after a third wastewater sample tested positive for COVID-19.
• Keep up-to-date with the latest locations of interest here.
  

These live updates have finished.

6:45pm - Police have confirmed they're now investigating Dr Jonie Girouard, the Christchurch GP Newshub filmed giving out exemption certificates for the COVID-19 vaccine.

It comes after the New Zealand Medical Association laid an official complaint against her on Thursday.

Newshub can now reveal the doctor has been doing this often - and other doctors around the country are doing it too.

Read and watch the full story from Newshub's Patrick Gower here.

6pm - It's time for Newshub Live at 6pm for the latest on the COVID-19 outbreak. Watch online here or on Three.

5:40pm - Vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for participants competing in secondary school level sport from next year, College Sport Auckland (CSA) has announced.

From January 10, 2022 all students and staff wanting to be involved in sanctioned sporting competitions will require COVID-19 vaccinations, giving those affected the opportunity to get their jabs.

CSA chief executive Mark Barlow insists that the move has been met with "overwhelming support" from school principals across the Auckland region.

"While this follows School Sport NZ's approach, the CSA Board wanted to provide early assurance and direction to students and schools in Auckland," Barlow says. 

"The health and safety of anyone involved with a sanctioned secondary school sport in Auckland is a primary obligation that CSA takes seriously."

The education sector has its own vaccine mandate for staff, who have to be fully vaccinated by January 1 - including parent volunteers. There is no vaccine mandate for students over the age of 12.

Read the full story here.

5:05pm - There are three new locations of interest. They are:

• The Warehouse Te Kuiti, December 5 from 2:35pm to 3:15pm
• New World Te Kuiti, December 5 from 3:36pm to 4:10pm
• The Helm Bar & Kitchen, December 7 from 6:31pm to 9pm.

4:25pm - Arrival of the highly-mutated Omicron variant is a wake-up call to develop vaccines less susceptible to the rapid changes of the coronavirus, leading virologists and immunologists told Reuters.

Most first-generation COVID-19 vaccines target the spike protein on the outer surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus used to infect human cells. Omicron has prompted alarm among scientists because it has far more mutations than earlier variants, including more than 30 on its spike.

Research to determine the extent to which Omicron evades immunity from existing vaccines or prior infection is underway.

New data on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine show some degree of reduced protection with the two-shot regimen.

Even if current shots remain effective for now, the dramatic evolution of the virus highlights the need for vaccines targeting parts of the virus less prone to mutate.

Read the full story here.

3:50pm - National's COVID-19 response spokesperson Chris Bishop has responded after Chris Hipkins revealed that Ministry of Health officials' initial advice was that Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and all of the South Island should have entered the traffic light framework at green.

"The Government's application of the criteria for each colour setting has always been opaque and unclear. Some regions such as Auckland are at Red even though that is meant to be for when hospitalisations are unsustainable. In the Prime Minister's own words that isn't the case, but yet Auckland is at Red anyway," Bishop says.

"Today we discover the officials' initial view was that vast swathes of the country could enter the framework at Green. This makes sense. Big chunks of the South Island are over 90 percent double vaccinated, but the Government has placed them into Orange anyway, with greater restrictions than justified."

Bishop says the Labour Government has "dragged its feet" on lifting restrictions on New Zealand's highly vaccinated population.

"The Traffic Light Framework is complicated enough without opaque decision-making like this. Kiwis have done the right thing this year. They've gone and got vaccinated in record numbers, and vaccination is demonstrably working," he says.

"New Zealanders need to know what the precise criteria are for a region to be at Red, Orange or Green. The Government has never been upfront about this, simply saying it is about a blend of factors. We simply can't have a situation where every two weeks Ministers meet and make decisions about the level of restrictions people in a particular region will face, based on unclear and opaque criteria."

3:10pm - Air New Zealand customers can upload their domestic My Vaccine Pass to their Airpoints profile, the airline has announced.

From December 14, the airline will be requiring proof of either full vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure to travel domestically.  

"Travel will look different this summer but we're confident the innovative changes we've made to the Air NZ mobile app will make the extra travel requirement as seamless as possible," Air NZ Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said.

Geraghty says Air NZ is one of the first airlines in the world to develop a digital solution for customers to upload their vaccination status to their loyalty profile.

"There will be opportunities to check in via all of our touchpoints including our app, online or at the kiosk. However, uploading your domestic My Vaccine Pass to your Airpoints profile will be easiest way to travel this summer. And the good thing is, members will only have to do this once," she said.

Read the full story and watch the video on how to add your pass to your Airpoints app here.

2:40pm - Testing requirements for asymptomatic unvaccinated travellers

To meet domestic travel requirements from mid-December, 15-minute COVID-19 rapid antigen testing will be available at no cost from pharmacies throughout New Zealand until the end of January 2022, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday afternoon.

When the Auckland boundary lifts at 11:59pm on Tuesday, December 14, anyone leaving the Auckland region who is not fully vaccinated will need to carry evidence of a negative test result issued within the 72 hours prior to departure. In addition, those who are travelling elsewhere in the country with a transport company that requires unvaccinated individuals to be tested will also be required to carry evidence of a negative result.

Testing for asymptomatic, unvaccinated individuals aged over 12 who are wishing to depart Auckland - and asymptomatic, unvaccinated domestic travellers from elsewhere in New Zealand - can take a supervised rapid antigen test at selected community pharmacies.

"For rapid antigen tests, the Ministry of Health strongly recommends this is administered as close as possible to the time of travel, preferably within 24 hours before departure," Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield said on Thursday.

"Travellers are still able to use a negative PCR test to meet any travel requirements, but that is not recommended. Using the alternative rapid antigen test will allow our laboratories to focus on processing PCR tests. This will reduce the turnaround time for returning results to symptomatic people and close contacts of confirmed cases as we continue to respond to the current outbreak."

Testing to meet domestic travel requirements will be free of charge for the core summer period and available from December 15, 2021 to January 31, 2022.

"Rapid antigen testing is not to be used for symptomatic individuals. Advice for people who are unwell and have COVID-19 symptoms continues to be stay at home and get a PCR test," Dr Bloomfield said.

Police will have operational discretion on the enforcement of these rules. People caught breaking the rules could face an infringement fine of $1000.

Air New Zealand have also made a vaccine certificate or proof of a negative test a requirement for flying, beginning December 15. There will be spot checks for travellers departing from Auckland Airport.

2:30pm - Here is the latest data on vaccination rates in Waikato:

Data at SA2 level (approximately equivalent to suburb) is available on the Ministry of Health website.

2:20pm - There is one new location of interest as of 2pm - Ranolf Medical Centre in Rotorua.

Anyone who was there between 9:45am and 11:15 am on Monday, December 6 is asked to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after the date of exposure. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until a negative result is returned.

2:10pm - The Government's COVID-19 technical advisory group is considering whether to shorten the recommended six-month period between the second and third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

A new study shows a booster shot of the vaccine provides a similar level of protection against the new Omicron variant as two doses provide against other, earlier variants.

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told RNZ's Morning Report the group is analysing data and deciding the best path forward as Omicron continues to spread across the globe. 

Hipkins noted it is early days and any decisions will be based on evidence.

"We want this decision to be made based on really clear research and analysis by our health teams rather than it becoming a political decision," he said.

Early laboratory studies have suggested two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine - the primary vaccine used in New Zealand's vaccination campaign - may not be enough to fight off the Omicron variant. However, a third shot is thought to provide sufficient protection.

"New data, which is very preliminary, and initial data shows that the first line of defence with two doses of vaccine might be compromised and three doses are needed to restore protection," BioNTech co-founder Özlem Türeci said on Wednesday (local time).

Türeci said BioNTech are already developing a new vaccine adapted to the Omicron variant, which could be ready for distribution by March 2022 - pending regulatory authorisation.

Immunisation Advisory Centre director Dr Nikki Turner told Morning Report the results should not yet be taken as concrete.

"Remembering this is lab data and not real-world data, so we should not overread it. We already know that a booster dose significantly increases your protection against the Delta variant so it is really no surprise," Turner said.

Read more here.

1:50pm - New research shows a third of caregivers are hesitant to allow their young children to be vaccinated against COVID-19 - meanwhile, the figures show just over 50 percent of Māori are happy to have their children double-jabbed.

Speaking to RNZ's Morning Report on Thursday morning, Hipkins said it is critical the COVID-19 technical advisory group complete thorough analysis of the paediatric vaccine, to ensure all parents are confident to have their children vaccinated.

"It needs to be very robust, it needs to be evidence-based, so I know that Medsafe are doing a very thorough job of reviewing all of the evidence being presented by Pfizer, including the international evidence," Hipkins said.

"It's really important that we go into this eyes wide open and people know exactly what the evidence is that has been behind our decision to use [the paediatric vaccine], assuming that's where all of the evidence lands up."

He expects a shipment of the vaccine will arrive shortly after the medicine has been approved for children aged five to 11.

Hipkins said with the current level of supply, there will be less of a need to prioritise certain areas or populations - as was seen in the current vaccination campaign.

"We're expecting to get quite big deliveries [of vaccine] relative to the size of the population that we're trying to vaccinate, we're expecting to get them quite early.

"That means we won't have to do the prioritisation that we had to with the adult rollout, what that does also mean is that we can target our extra energy... to lean into those areas where we know it will be harder and it will take longer."

1:35pm - "Everyone would be disappointed" to discover that a Canterbury doctor has been recorded issuing medical certificates as exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday.

An undercover operation by Newshub revealed Jonie Girouard, a registered GP who runs a weight loss clinic in Kaiapoi, has been coaching her patients on how to use medical certificates to avoid vaccination mandates.  

The Ministry of Health is the only authority able to issue COVID-19 vaccine exemptions. The ministry, along with WorkSafe and the Health and Disability Commissioner, is now investigating Dr Girouard, and sources have said the police could become involved.   

Dr Girouard, who was heard describing the vaccine as "horrible, horrible medicine", has refused to comment. 

"I think everyone would be disappointed and upset to see a health professional who is undertaking activity in this way that puts others at risk," Ardern told reporters on Thursday.

"I understand the Ministry of Health is working on this issue as we speak. 

"What I would say is that actually, if a medical professional is not vaccinated, they should actually not be operating. We have a requirement of our health workforce now that they are vaccinated and so that is one extra layer of protection right now to ensure people are not being given this misleading information, misinformation, or indeed seeing people act fraudulently."

The Government has mandated vaccination against COVID-19 for about 40 percent of the workforce. The deadline for the health sector has already passed - to continue working in the profession, healthcare staff had to receive their first dose by October 30 and their second by December 1. 

"I do want to give people reassurance though. This appears to be the actions of some individuals and we'll be paying very close attention to what's happened and see whether or not there are other ways we can ensure it isn't replicated," Ardern said.

"I will leave those officials who are involved in the situation to do what they need to do on this."

Read more here.

1:20pm - All three of Auckland's DHBs have vaccinated 90 percent of their eligible Pacific populations with a first dose, the Northern Region Health Coordination Centre (NRHCC) said on Thursday.

Counties Manukau DHB, with the largest Pacific population (over 116,000) in New Zealand, has joined Auckland and Waitematā DHBs in reaching the first dose milestone. Comparatively, Auckland DHB has close to 47,000 Pacific people and Waitematā has over 37,000.

"It's wonderful news and a testament to highly responsive community mobilisation, Pacific provider expertise in outreach, and the result of many months of hard work and long hours," NRHCC Pacific lead Meg Poutasi said on Thursday. 

"It's been wonderful to see our multiple Pacific communities mobilise across the board. Our vaccination events have in fact been celebrations of all sizes, with buses, campervans and neighbourhood outreach meeting communities where they are. Our young people in particular in the last few months have been impressive in proactively activating their networks and friends to protect themselves and their aiga.

"Our Pacific health provider partners, church leaders and community organisers have been instrumental week in and week out, in bringing the vaccine to our people. Without their efforts, we would not have reached this milestone at this speed and prior to Christmas."

More than 180,000 Pacific people in metro Auckland have now received their first dose of the vaccine.

This weekend is set to be busy with the following vaccination events happening across the city:

• Trevor Hoskins Drive Park - Fri 10 Dec, 10am - 3pm, Trevor Hoskings Drive Park, Wiri
• Massey Ave Carpark - Fri 10 Dec, 9:30am - 2pm, Massey Ave Carpark, Pukekohe
• Counties Manukau Sports Event - Fri 10 -Sat 11 Dec, 12pm - 5pm, Manukau Sports Bowl, Clover Park
• Whanau Ora Drive in Xmas Super Vaxx concert – Saturday 8 Dec, 8am – 8pm, 8 Great South Rd, Takanini
• Rally your village - Sat 11 Dec, 9am - 5pm, Otara Flea Market
• Trust Stadium - Drive Thru - Sat 11 Dec, 9am - 5pm, Central Park Drive, Henderson
• Mega Vax Pacific (MVP) Tonga - Sat 11 Dec, 8:30am - 5pm, 143 Favona Road, Favona
• St Annes Church – Manurewa - Sat 11 Dec, 8:30am - 5pm. 126 Russell Road, Manurewa
• Gotcha Shot 3 (Methodist Youth Vaccination Event) - Sat 11 Dec, 8:30am - 5pm, 34 Orly Avenue, Mangere
• Gotcha Shot Toks 3 Event - Sat 11 Dec, 8:30am - 4:30pm, 244 East Tamaki Road, Otara
• Gulf Harbour Yacht Club - Sun 12 Dec, 9am - 3pm, Gulf Harbour.

People can otherwise head to one of 300-plus GPs and pharmacies involved in the roll-out or walk in to any vaccination centre this weekend. Full details of opening hours and sites can be found at vaccinateforauckland.nz.

1:05pm - Here are the regional updates from the Ministry of Health:

Regional updates

We are continuing to ask anyone in New Zealand with symptoms – no matter how mild – to get tested, even if you're vaccinated. Please remain isolated until you return a negative result.

If you are not vaccinated, now is the time, as vaccination is your number one defence against COVID-19. Your DHB or local health provider will have plenty of opportunities to make this happen.

Testing and vaccination centre locations nationwide can be found via Healthpoint.

Auckland

There are 88 new cases to report in Auckland today. Public health and welfare providers are now supporting 3187 people to isolate at home, including 863 cases. 

Public health staff continue to review testing locations daily to ensure there's good coverage of at-risk areas.

David Lange Care Home

A staff member at David Lange Care Home in Māngere East has tested positive for COVID-19.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service and Counties Manukau DHB staff are supporting the residents and staff at the facility. Testing is currently underway with residents and staff.

Waikato

There are nine new cases to report in Waikato today. Six new locations of interest were confirmed in Te Kūiti on Wednesday.

There are 11 pop-up and dedicated testing sites operating across Waikato today in Hamilton, Ngāruawāhia, Ōtorohanga, Piopio, Thames, Taumarunui, Tokoroa, Putāruru and Te Kūiti.

Waikato public health, primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 105 people to isolate at home.

Bay of Plenty

Today we are reporting five new cases in Bay of Plenty – all are in the Tauranga area.

Three are linked to previously reported cases and the two remaining cases are currently being investigated. All five cases are isolating at home.

Public health staff are currently following up with contacts for testing and isolating purposes. 

In addition, the ministry is today confirming a case in Ōpōtiki, in the eastern Bay of Plenty, who is also isolating at home. This case, who normally resides in Ōpōtiki, was tested outside the eastern Bay of Plenty before returning home and is not included in the region's case numbers today.

Lakes

Today we are reporting one new case in the Lakes DHB region. This case resides in Rotorua and is linked to a previously reported case. They are isolating in managed accommodation with public health oversight.

Canterbury

There is one new case to report in Christchurch today. This case was reported after the ministry's 9am cut-off and will be officially added to the case tally on Friday.

The person has direct links to a Canterbury case reported last weekend. The case was in isolation during their infectious period. An investigation is underway, however, early indications are that it is unlikely that there will be any locations of interest associated with this individual.

However, every new case is a reminder to get tested if you're feeling unwell. For locations of testing centres operating in Canterbury today, visit Healthpoint.

1:04pm - There are 103 new cases of COVID-19 to report on Thursday. 

Here's the full statement from the Ministry of Health:

More than 4 million My Vaccine Passes issued; 103 community cases; 70 people in hospital, 5 in ICU

There were 22,859 total vaccine doses administered on Wednesday, including 3786 first doses and 9339 second doses. To date, 94 percent of eligible people in New Zealand have had their first dose and 88 percent are fully vaccinated.

More than 4 million My Vaccine Passes have now been issued. It is important to note than some people have more than one pass if they have it installed on several separate devices.

More than 90 percent of Māori in Canterbury are now at least partially vaccinated. Canterbury has become the third DHB to achieve this milestone for Māori.

Counties Manukau has also achieved the 90 pct first dose mark for Pacific people.

West Coast has become the 17th DHB to reach 90 pct first doses.

12:50pm - We are standing by for the Ministry of Health's daily update at 1pm.

12:40pm - Vaccination against COVID-19 will be mandatory for those studying, working or visiting Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington in 2022.

The mandate, which will come into force from Monday, January 31, 2022, requires all staff and students to be fully vaccinated if they enter Victoria University campuses or take part in the university's face-to-face activities.

The mandate will also apply to contractors and visitors who wish to enter its campuses.

The university will review its approach to the mandate every three months or at the end of Trimester 1 in June 2022.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford says this decision is underpinned by a detailed risk assessment, as well as consultation with staff, students, unions and University Council members.

A survey sent to all staff and students shows there is widespread support for a vaccine mandate with the vast majority of staff respondents saying they will feel more comfortable coming to campus if they are vaccinated (93 percent), their colleagues are vaccinated (90 percent) and students are vaccinated (90 percent).

For students, a high number of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they will feel more comfortable at the university if they are vaccinated (89 percent). The majority of students favour staff being vaccinated (85 percent), as well as favour other students being vaccinated (84 percent).

"This decision not only ensures the university meets its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Pastoral Care Code of Practice, and also ensures the safety and wellbeing of our community," Guilford said on Thursday.

"This is particularly important for the university as the survey revealed that 40 percent of our community are either part of, or have a family member who is part of, a vulnerable population."

The university will continue to work with Government agencies to finalise the details of how the mandate will be applied and implemented and will keep Te Herenga Waka's community informed as decisions are made.

12:30pm - From Thursday, Air New Zealand customers can upload their domestic My Vaccine Pass to their Airpoints profile, verifying their vaccination status so they're ready for a summer of safe and easy travel. 

From December 14, the airline will be requiring proof of either full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure to travel domestically, Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer, Leanne Geraghty, said on Thursday.

"Travel will look different this summer but we're confident the innovative changes we've made to the Air NZ mobile app will make the extra travel requirement as seamless as possible," she said.

"There will be opportunities to check in via all of our touch points including our app, online or at the kiosk. However, uploading your domestic My Vaccine Pass to your Airpoints profile will be the easiest way to travel this summer. And the good thing is, members will only have to do this once. 

"We've applied a privacy lens across the whole digital solution. The QR code or domestic My Vaccine Pass itself is not retained by Air New Zealand; we're just verifying the Pass is valid." 

With more than 300,000 Kiwis travelling between December 15 and December 31, the airline is gearing up for a busy few weeks.

Here are Air New Zealand's top tips for travel over the summer:

• Have your My Vaccine Pass or a negative test result at the ready as from December 14, everyone aged 12 or over will need to show proof of double-dose vaccination, or a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure. Air NZ will be soft-launching this process on December 13, so don't be alarmed if you check in and you're asked for proof - if you don't have either, you'll still be able to travel on December 13.

• Avoid airport queues by downloading the latest version of the Air NZ mobile app and uploading your vaccination status to your Airpoints profile. This will be the easiest way to travel and as an Airpoints member, you'll only need to do it once. You can do this from Thursday.

• Make sure you upload your domestic My Vaccine Pass - not the International Travel Vaccination Certificate. 

• If you are showing proof of a negative test result, whether that be a nasopharyngeal swab, saliva or supervised rapid antigen test, you'll need to check-in at the airport and show a staff member your result confirmation well in advance of your departure time.

• Airports will be bustling in December, so we strongly recommend you arrive at the airport 60 minutes before your flight to avoid any disruption.  

• No need to BYO because snacks are back - from December 14, Air NZ's new food and beverage offering will be on-board all domestic flights.

• Face coverings are still required on-board - some spares will be available.  

12:20pm - Experts are suggesting people should not be considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 until they've had three shots. 

Early evidence suggests two doses aren't enough to protect against the new Omicron variant, but three might be. A new study has found a booster shot can divide the risk of infection with the Delta variant by 10 and the risk of serious illness by 18, at least in the short term.

Researchers in Israel looked at data covering nearly 4.7 million people aged 16-plus in the Middle Eastern nation, which had one of the earliest vaccine rollouts but suffered a huge wave of Delta infections in mid-2021.

It quickly became clear that protection offered by the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was weakening over time, at least against infection. The outbreak was rapidly brought under control when Israel began a booster campaign in July, the first country in the world to do so. Others - including New Zealand - have since followed. 

Analysis of Ministry of Health data published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday found people who had received a booster shot were 10 times less likely to be infected than those with just the standard two-shot course - and 18 times less likely to get a severe infection.

Among the at-risk over-50s, booster shots were associated with a 90 percent reduction in mortality, and for over-60s, 93 percent.

Read more here.

12:05pm - A dedicated COVID-19 vaccination drive to support the Pasifika and Māori disabled community, 'Rally Your Village', will take place on December 10 and December 11 in Ōtara, delivered by South Seas Healthcare Trust, in partnership with Taikura Trust, Tōfa Mamao Collective and Te Roopu Waiora.

"One of the core values that underpins the Rally Your Village vaccination campaign is inclusion. This means making the experience of getting vaccinated accessible to all members of our diverse community. We value, respect, and recognise the range of needs within our communities, and provide a welcoming environment to all," Lemalu Silao Vaisola-Sefo, chief executive of South Seas Healthcare Trust, said on Thursday.

The event is designed to be safe and welcoming, including a quiet hour with minimal sensory stimulants. It will also cater for attendees' families and the wider community.

"This event is another example of breaking down barriers and finding alternate solutions to engage the people of Tāmaki Makaurau to get vaccinated. It is through partnerships like this with South Seas that we all continue to develop our responses and be proactive in the face of these extremely challenging times," added Matt Hall from Taikura Trust.

"We are proud to collaborate to ensure that all our Tagata Sa'ilimalo (Pacific disabled people), their aiga and supporters receive the vaccination. We will continue to provide peer support for those who are still in the decision-making process and for those unable to receive the vaccine for medical reasons," said Tunumafono Ava Faamoe, the national executive officer of Tōfa Mamao Collective.

The two-day vaccination event will include several family-friendly activities, including a Christmas ornament workshop, a free sausage sizzle, free hot chocolate and coffee, free ice cream, a 'chill-out zone' and the aforementioned 'quiet hour' low-sensory period.

The vaccination drive will take place at Pacific Locality Vaccination Centre, Gate A, 5 Ōtara Rd, Ōtara on December 10 (10am to 3pm) and December 11 (12pm to 8pm), with drive-through access via Bairds Rd. Friday's event will be walk-in only. A 'quiet hour' low-sensory drive-through will be on Saturday only from 10am to 12pm.

11:55am - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spent some of Wednesday evening answering Kiwis' burning questions about the Government's COVID-19 response, addressing "misinformation" and telling off one user who said they were "over" the leader. 

The Government announced on Monday night that Pharmac had purchased 60,000 doses of the new drug molnupiravir, an antiviral pill that can help with treating COVID-19.

Ardern took to Facebook to speak more about the announcement and answer users' questions about the new 'traffic light' framework and My Vaccine Pass system. 

But Ardern's patience was tested when one person criticised the Government and its sweeping vaccination mandates.

"Over you!!! Over your mandate. People are suffering from your poor choices. Merry Xmas Aotearoa!" they wrote.

"Sorry you're over me," Ardern responded. "But you don't have to stay on my Facebook Live if I am bothering you. I am sure there are many other things you could do with your time that you find less irritating."

Read more here.

11:45am - As lockdown restrictions ease in time for summer, AMI is reminding Kiwis of the importance of pre-planning for a stress-free holiday.

New Ipsos nationwide research from AMI shows that 56 percent of kiwis are planning a road trip this year, and of those, 63 percent expect to be travelling for two to five hours to reach their destination, with 19 percent travelling between six and 10 hours.

But while Kiwis may be eager to hit the road, many haven't factored in sufficient break times for their trip, with only 47 percent saying they plan to take a break every two hours, and 9 percent every hour.

Before leaving home, AMI urges holidaymakers to make a plan.

"Checking for any planned roadworks or weather warnings, getting your car serviced, doing some general maintenance, and checking availability of rest stops along your route are important parts of a safe and stress-free drive," Alex Geale, AMI's executive general manager of distribution said on Thursday.

"Make sure your car, camper or caravan is in good working order. You should also check road conditions before setting off and even consider delaying your trip if the forecast shows a significant weather event. If you do get stuck in bad conditions, adjust your driving to remain safe by slowing down, turning on your headlights and leaving enough room between you and other drivers.

"It's also possible that there will be COVID-related delays with road checks. Plan your trip, be patient, calm and polite to other drivers and officials."

Before setting off, AMI recommends taking action to ensure the home is safely secured.

"While it's encouraging to see that only 3 percent of Kiwis don't lock their windows and doors when they leave home, there's still a lot more we could be doing to help keep our homes safe and avoid any unfortunate events when we're not there to keep an eye on things," said Geale.

"For added security, we recommend you look into putting your lights on timers, ensuring alarms are working well, and putting portable, valuable items, like jewellery or electronics, out of sight. Chat to your neighbours and ask them to keep an eye on your property while you're gone. Small things they can do like regularly clearing the mail can help deter intruders."

Simple preventative measures like turning off appliances at the wall and, where practical, water off at the mains, can also help avoid the chance of returning home to the unexpected.

11:35am - The Prime Minister has commented on new data by Pfizer and BioNTech that a third dose of their vaccine is likely required to offer sufficient protection against the new Omicron variant. 

BioNTech and Pfizer said on Wednesday (local time) a three-shot course of their vaccine was able to neutralise the new Omicron variant in a laboratory test - and they could deliver an upgraded vaccine in March 2022 if needed.

"The first line of defence, with two doses of vaccination, might be compromised and three doses of vaccination are required to restore protection," BioNTech chief medical officer Ozlem Tuereci said at a press conference.

The companies suggested that while two doses may still protect against severe disease, two doses also result in significantly lower neutralising antibodies.

"Having read some of the reports off the back of comments made by the CEO of Pfizer, early suggestion seems to be that the Pfizer vaccine will have some positive effect and protective factors against Omicron. It does appear to be early days, though," Ardern told reporters on Thursday morning. 

"I believe the reference to boosters will simply be because for most parts of the world, they're at the point where they're now rolling out boosters. I don't believe that it's the booster itself that is protective - it's the vaccine, but in order for the vaccine to maintain its efficacy, most countries are now requiring a third dose. The third dose just essentially brings up the immunity level back up to the level that the second doses."

11:25am - The Breast Cancer Foundation has delivered a petition signed by 10,600 people calling for the Government to ensure women can access lifesaving mammograms by clearing the backlog caused by COVID-19 lockdowns and extending the free screening age to 74 as soon as possible.

The petition was received by ACT Party Deputy Leader and Health spokesperson Brooke van Velden in Auckland on Thursday morning.

Breast cancer is the leading killer of New Zealand women under 65. Breast screening is the most effective tool for reducing deaths from breast cancer, finding tumours well before they can be felt - however, the critical tool has been put on hold a number of times over the past two years due to lockdowns.

The Breast Cancer Foundation's modelling shows at least 133 women are now living with undetected breast cancer as the mammogram that would have diagnosed the cancer was cancelled during the latest outbreak.

The Ministry of Health has admitted after two years of lockdowns, the backlog for breast screening is as high as 50,0001.

Justine Smyth, the chair of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, said on Thursday: "While we're doing everything we can to raise awareness about the importance of screening and early detection, it's been heart-breaking to hear from distressed women who want to protect themselves, but can't.

"They're telling us they can't get rebooked for months, or aren't being sent reminder letters after realising they're well overdue. We've even heard from women who've been diagnosed with breast cancer by pure fluke after missing the mammogram that would have found their cancer earlier. There is no doubt that when you're finding breast cancer later, more lives will be lost.

"Since uncovering this issue, we've reached out to the Prime Minster, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Health, other key ministers and the Ministry of Health. All our requests for meetings have been ignored or declined. Now that 10,600 New Zealanders are also asking for action, this can't continue to be ignored.

"Women who have regular mammograms are nearly 40 percent less likely to die of breast cancer than women who don't screen, so it's absolutely vital Government makes it a priority to clear the backlog and get screening participation back up to pre-COVID levels. Every day counts when you have breast cancer, and every missed mammogram is potentially putting women at lethal risk. Breast screening should be the top Government priority for women's health."

According to BreastScreen Aotearoa's two-yearly coverage report to August 2021, screening rates dropped in 2020 and 2021 to the lowest they've been since 2010. Māori, Pacific and younger women are worst affected, and all ethnicities fall short of the 70 percent participation required for an effective screening programme. Funding is urgently needed to get this back to 70 percent and for the promised expansion of free mammograms to the age of 74.

11:15am - The construction and retail trade industries had the largest sales falls in the September 2021 quarter, Stats NZ said on Thursday.

Most industries in the data release had sales falls over the September 2021 quarter, which were largely impacted by lockdown restrictions over August and September.

After adjusting for seasonal effects, the construction industry had a $1.8 billion sales fall, down 8.9 percent from the June 2021 quarter.

"The construction industry, which has seen increasing demand this year, had its first sales decrease since December 2020," business statistics manager Evie Rolinson-Purchase said. "The decrease in the September quarter results from lockdown measures coming into place in August, and was most keenly seen in the Auckland region."

The manufacturing industry had a $674 million (2.2 percent) sales fall in the September 2021 quarter compared with the June 2021 quarter.

"Despite sales falls in several construction related manufacturing industries, increased prices for meat and dairy cushioned the blow for total manufacturing values," Rolinson-Purchase said.

Metal product manufacturing had the largest fall, down $412 million (13 percent) over the quarter. Non-metallic mineral manufacturing, which includes the production of concrete, glass, and other building-base materials, was down $182 million (17 percent) in the same period.

Meanwhile, the retail trade industry experienced the largest quarterly sales fall in the September 2021 quarter. It fell by $2 billion (7 percent) following a decent rise of $1.1 billion (4.2 percent) in the June 2021 quarter.

"Retail trade reported falls in all but a few sub-industries. The supermarket and grocery sub-industry saw an upturn in sales, with consumers in the Auckland region impacted by COVID restrictions during the quarter," Rolinson-Purchase said. 

Motor vehicles and parts wholesaling had the largest sub-industry fall, down $141 million (4.1 percent) in the September 2021 quarter. This was mirroring the movement seen in the retail trade of motor cars and parts, which fell sharply over the quarter.

"Wholesaling of most motor-vehicle businesses was subdued over the quarter. However, some increases were seen in the sales for electric-vehicle wholesalers after the tax rebate changes on new and used imported electric vehicles came into effect at the beginning of July."

Comparatively, the wholesale trade industry had the largest industry sales increase, up $546 million (1.8 percent) to $31.6 billion for the September 2021 quarter. The March and June 2021 quarters experienced strong rises off the back of rising prices for several key wholesale commodities over the year.

Grocery, liquor and tobacco product sales had the largest wholesaling sub-industry increase, up $560 million (6.1 percent) in the September 2021 quarter.

"August lockdown has boosted sales for grocery wholesalers, which are suppliers for supermarkets, butchers, and other food stores," Rolinson-Purchase said. "The sales were also affected by the rising cost of food. The food price index saw the highest quarterly increase since September 2008, following other rises seen for most of the year."

11:05am - A 'high risk' location of interest has been identified in Auckland CBD.

Since November 28, only two potential exposure events have been identified in the Super City.

On Thursday morning, Sephora, a popular beauty and personal care retailer, was added by the Ministry of Health as a 'high risk' location of interest. The store, located on Queen St - Auckland's major commercial thoroughfare - was visited by a COVID-positive person on December 2. 

Anyone who was in the shop between 10:17am and 2:15pm is asked to self-isolate and get tested immediately. Another test is required five days after the date of exposure. Further isolation and testing requirements will be provided by public health staff.

The other new locations of interest as of 11am are:

• City Sports Bar, Tauranga
• Brookfield Hot Bread Shop, Tauranga
• Countdown, Papamoa
• The Orchard Thieves Pizza, Welcome Bay.

For the relevant dates, times and public health advice, click here.

10:55am - An inquiry has found there are no grounds to prosecute a cruise company for carrying COVID-19 into New Zealand.

An investigation by New Zealand Customs has confirmed the Ruby Princess and its local port agents made appropriate health declarations when the ship visited New Zealand in March 2020. 

In a statement, the New Zealand Cruise Association said it is "pleased" with the results of the inquiry.

"It is clear from the outcome that the ship's crew and others connected with the visit did the right thing in satisfying pre-arrival reporting requirements," the Association's chief executive officer, Kevin O'Sullivan, and chairman, Debbie Summers, said in a statement on Thursday morning. 

In a message to the Association, NZ Customs thanked the cruise industry for its "open engagement" with the investigation, which made it easier during a challenging time.

"The findings will help to reassure the people of New Zealand that the cruise industry can be depended upon to act responsibly and in full compliance with local regulatory requirements."

10:40am - Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce has tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in the US.

Joyce told ABC Radio New England he had been experiencing mild symptoms and decided to get tested.

"Look, obviously [I am] very frustrated I'm going to be locked up in a room by myself for 10 days, but that's part of the process," he said. "It's probably developing, I'm probably very much in the early stages - but I'm more worried about being in a room by myself to be honest."

Joyce is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

10:30am - A Wellington-based epidemiologist says new evidence suggests people should not be considered fully vaccinated until they've had three doses - their initial course of two jabs and a booster shot - and more protections are needed under the new framework. 

Preliminary lab results from Pfizer and BioNTech suggest a third dose of their mRNA vaccine can provide protection against the Omicron variant. However, the antibody levels generated in response to the variant after just two doses of the vaccine showed reduced protection.

Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, an epidemiologist and senior research fellow at the University of Otago, Wellington's Department of Public Health, said the new evidence indicates the definition of 'fully vaccinated' is already "out of date" - meaning the COVID-19 Protection Framework, or 'traffic light' system, is currently not providing enough protection for New Zealanders.

"The COVID-19 Protection Framework is designed around an assumption that a person with two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is fully vaccinated. Already, that assumption appears out of date. We're now seeing evidence that we shouldn't be considered fully vaccinated until we've had three doses," Kvalsvig said on Thursday.

"That's concerning as we await the arrival of the Omicron variant in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Keeping all our eggs in the vaccination basket is a high-risk strategy. To keep New Zealanders safe this summer and beyond we need layered protection that recognises the critical role of airborne transmission in this pandemic."

Dr Kvalsvig has suggested three steps to increase protection against the virus while many New Zealanders are unable to receive their booster shot. Boosters are only available to people who received their second jab at least six months prior and are over 18.

"First, as we prepare for the Auckland border to open, there needs to be strong public health messaging and support from the Government for meeting up outdoors, keeping windows and doors open, and using ventilation and filtration systems in schools, workplaces, and other crowded indoor settings. New Zealand must now start to take masks seriously – we can't afford to ignore this protection any longer. These measures will help to keep people safe over summer whether they're fully vaccinated with three doses, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated. This infection is controllable if we choose to control it," she said.

"Second, we need a new alert level system to pick up the public health protections that are missing in the traffic light system. Earlier this year my colleagues and I published a proposal for an upgraded alert level system. This proposed system has several important protections hardwired into it including upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi with Māori leadership, stopping airborne spread, and building system-level resourcing and support to protect those most at risk from impacts of the pandemic or its control measures.

"Third, we need to use this time well to prepare for winter. Without that layered approach to COVID-19 we face a difficult winter dealing with colder weather, new COVID-19 variants, declining vaccine protection, and a potentially very high burden of flu and numerous other infections returning as the borders open. When it's too cold to keep windows open, we'll need to be able to monitor indoor air quality and optimise it using ventilation and filtration systems. Clean indoor air will be good for our health in so many ways, protecting us from COVID and many other infections, and helping people to stay alert and focused at work and school."

10:20am - Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, an immunologist and senior lecturer in Pathology & Molecular Medicine at the University of Otago, Wellington, has also weighed in on the new data from Pfizer and BionTech regarding its vaccine's efficacy against the new Omicron variant.

Results made available from an initial laboratory study have shown that the antibody levels generated after receiving three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine - the vaccine used in New Zealand's roll-out - can offer protection from the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Antibody levels generated in response to Omicron after just two doses of the vaccine showed reduced immune protection. However, the antibody levels generated against Omicron after three doses were comparable to the protection seen against earlier variants of the virus after the standard two-jab course.

"Although preliminary results from a limited sample size, these findings indicate overall that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine still offer some protection against Omicron, however this protection can be improved with the addition of a third dose," Dr Sika-Paotonu said on Thursday.

"This supports the need for a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the form of a booster after the initial two doses, in order to help protect against the Omicron variant.

"Importantly, more information is still needed about Omicron, and whether or not it causes more severe disease, hospitalisation and mortality when compared with the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In the meantime, a maintained focus on vaccination, border controls and public health settings will be needed."

10:10am - Preliminary lab results from Pfizer-BioNTech suggest a third booster dose of their mRNA vaccine may be able to stop the Omicron variant in its tracks.

According to the companies, people who received a booster jab of the vaccine neutralised the Omicron variant to levels comparable to those observed for earlier variants after two doses.

Eleanor Riley, a professor of immunology and infectious disease at the University of Edinburgh, said the new information is "reassuring".

"Not only does a booster vaccination provide strong antibody-mediated neutralisation of Omicron but also the vast majority of the sites in the spike protein that activate T-cells are conserved between Omicron and the vaccine strain. This suggests that a booster should provide high levels of protection against infection and severe disease," she explained in a statement.

However, the data also indicates that two doses of the vaccine are not sufficient to give high neutralising activity against variants. This means that while two doses may be enough prevent severe disease, they are not sufficient to control transmission of the virus.

"The message is clear: if we want to control virus transmission and avoid further restrictions, we need everyone who hasn't yet done so to get vaccinated and to get their booster," Riley said.

10am - The Waitangi Tribunal is this week hosting an urgent inquiry into the Crown's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Te Poari o Ngātiwai - the Ngātiwai Trust Board - hapū, iwi and Māori providers all submitting to be heard.

"As a Tiriti Partner, we expect that the Crown would involve iwi in co-designing outcomes that take into account tikanga Māori, address the inequities that exist and prioritise human life equally," Te Poari o Ngātiwai chairman Aperahama Kerepeti-Edwards said on Thursday.

"Our concern is that the Crown has adopted the traffic light system without our input, and now we see the borders opening up on December 15."

Ngātiwai - an iwi of the east coast of the Northland region - along with other iwi of Te Tai Tokerau, the Northern District Health Board and Hauora Māori providers, sent a collective letter of concern to the Prime Minister in late November, raising serious concern about the lifting of Auckland's hard border on December 15 while Māori vaccination rates across Northland and Auckland remain below 90 percent.

Ngātiwai Trust Board, alongside hapū, iwi, Māori providers, primary care and the DHB, have been working to accelerate Māori vaccination rates to prepare for the summer, Te Raukura CEO for Te Poari o Ngātiwai, Hūhana Lyndon, said on Thursday. However, the groups have "serious concerns"  with the lifting of Auckland's border while vaccination uptake remains low among Māori.

"We have been working hard to get our vaccination rates up, hosting vaccination centres in our rohe, on the kāinga through our Ngātiwai Ki Te Hoe Campaign," Lyndon said.

"Ngātiwai was not privy to any iwi engagement by the Crown in developing the traffic light system and share the grave concerns of the DHB and iwi of Te Tai Tokerau of the impending influx into Northland."

Edwards said health services are already stretched in Northland, with the impending influx of travellers this summer set to "flood the region with risk".

Ngātiwai are joining the Waitangi Tribunal's inquiry to reflect its "serious concerns in how the Crown has failed to engage with iwi throughout the 2021 COVID-19 response".

"We have not been a part of the planning, we continue to be in response mode – this demonstrates a clear lack of Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership demonstrated by the Crown," Edwards said.

9:50am - Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies Pfizer and BioNTech said on Wednesday that a three-dose course of their COVID-19 vaccine was able to neutralise the new Omicron variant in a laboratory test - and they could deliver an upgraded vaccine in March 2022 if needed.

The German and US companies said two doses of their vaccine resulted in significantly lower neutralising antibodies, but a third dose boosted those antibodies by a factor of 25.

"The first line of defence, with two doses of vaccination, might be compromised and three doses of vaccination are required to restore protection," BioNTech chief medical officer Ozlem Tuereci said at a press conference. The companies suggested that two doses may still protect against severe disease.

BioNTech and Pfizer are the first manufacturers of a COVID-19 vaccine to issue an official update on the efficacy of their shot against Omicron.

In samples of blood taken around a month after the third dose, the Omicron variant was neutralised about as effectively as two doses neutralised the original virus identified in China.

BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin suggested that countries might consider shortening the time period between second and third doses of the vaccine to combat the new variant.

He cited recent moves by countries such as Britain to bring the third dose forward from six months to three months after the second shot.

"We believe this is the right way to go particularly if the Omicron is now spreading further, to enable a better level of protection in the winter season," Sahin said.

Read more here.

9:40am - The 36-year-old Prime Minister of Finland has apologised after going clubbing until 4am without her work phone, missing crucial messages informing her that she needed to isolate as a close contact of a COVID-19 case.

In a Facebook post this week, Sanna Marin admitted she was informed last Saturday night that her Foreign Affairs Minister, Pekka Haavisto, had tested positive for COVID-19. She was told there was no need for her to isolate as she had received two doses of a vaccine - the advice given to all citizens.

As pictures published by a local magazine show, Marin then went clubbing with friends in the Finnish capital of Helsinki, partying into the early hours of Sunday. While she was out, her government work phone received a text urging her to avoid others and get a test.

However, as Marin did not have the phone with her, she did not see the message until she returned home on Sunday morning. 

Marin initially defended her actions, noting she had followed the guidance initially provided to her, but she has since apologised for the incident. While she didn't have her government work phone, she said she had her parliamentary phone.

Critics of Marin have been asking why, as Prime Minister, she didn't take a cautious approach given she had been in contact with Haavisto.

Read more here.

9:30am - The Omicron variant has been reported in 57 nations and the number of patients needing hospitalisation is likely to rise as the strain continues to spreads, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday (local time). 

The WHO, in its weekly epidemiological report, said more data was needed to assess the severity of disease caused by the Omicron variant and whether its mutations might reduce protection from vaccine-derived immunity.

"Even if the severity is equal or potentially even lower than for Delta variant, it is expected that hospitalisations will increase if more people become infected and that there will be a time lag between an increase in the incidence of cases and an increase in the incidence of deaths," it said.

On November 26, the WHO declared the Omicron variant, which was first detected in southern Africa, a variant of concern. It is the fifth SARS-CoV-2 strain to carry such a designation.

The number of reported cases in South Africa doubled in the week to December 5 to more than 62,000 and "very large" increases in incidence have been seen in Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Lesotho, it said.

The spread of Omicron, coupled with enhanced testing and low vaccination rates, may have played a role, it added.

Referring to the risk of reinfection, the WHO said: "Preliminary analysis suggests that the mutations present in the Omicron variant may reduce neutralising activity of antibodies resulting in reduced protection from natural immunity.

"There is a need for more data to assess whether the mutations present on the Omicron variant may result in reduced protection from vaccine-derived immunity and data on vaccine effectiveness, including the use of additional vaccination doses," it said.

The Omicron variant can partially evade the protection from two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, the research head of a laboratory at the Africa Health Research Institute in South Africa said on Tuesday, citing the results of a small study.

- Reuters

9:20am - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed tougher COVID-19 restrictions in England on Wednesday (local time), ordering people to work from home, wear masks in public places and use vaccine passes in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

Undermined by accusations that his staff partied at Downing Street during a Christmas lockdown last year, Johnson said Omicron was spreading rapidly and he had no choice but to move to "Plan B" to buy time and ramp up the booster shot rollout. While still a long way from the lockdowns that hammered the economy earlier in the pandemic, the new measures could see caps on customers at restaurants, cafes and shops in city centres in the run up to Christmas - dealing a fresh blow to Britain's finances.

"While the picture may get better, and I sincerely hope that it will, we know that the remorseless logic of exponential growth could lead to a big rise in hospitalizations and therefore, sadly, in deaths," Johnson told a news conference.

Sterling had fallen in the run up to the announcement and investors pared back their bets on a Bank of England interest rate hike next week.

Johnson, who lifted the majority of England's restrictions in July, had vowed to navigate the winter without resorting to a fourth lockdown, but had kept so-called 'Plan B' in reserve.

Part of those measures, such as reintroducing masks on public transport and in shops, had already been brought in, but on Wednesday Johnson said people should also now work from home if they are able to. Face masks will be required in public venues and a vaccination pass will be mandatory to access nightclubs and places with large crowds.

Read more here.

9:10am - COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins is pushing back on suggestions the Government has been slow to ease restrictions for Aucklanders.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon called for the hard border around Auckland to be dropped immediately after prior advice from Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, emerged on Wednesday suggesting there was no justification for it to remain in place once the 'traffic light' system was imposed. 

That system, also known as the COVID-19 Protection Framework, came into effect last Friday. The emergence of the previously unreleased public health advice has now raised questions as to why the Government has decided to keep Auckland's regional boundary in place until December 15.

Hipkins told The AM Show on Thursday morning that under Dr Bloomfield's advice, the traffic light system would not have come into effect until two weeks after all three Auckland District Health Boards (DHBs) fully vaccinated 90 percent of their eligible populations - a milestone that has yet to be reached. 

"Counties Manukau, they're still chasing down their last people to make sure that they're getting to that 90 percent fully vaccinated rate," Hipkins said. "If we were waiting for that to happen, we'd be waiting 'til pretty much Christmas Eve at this point to be removing the boundary around Auckland and to be putting Auckland into the traffic light framework.

"We made the decision actually to move sooner than that, and to provide an absolute certain date around when the boundary would be removed around Auckland. So we've actually kind of moved quicker than what the public health advice was."

Hipkins added that the nearly two-week period between the traffic light system coming into play and the border lifting allows more time for vaccination rates to increase and the new settings to bed in.

Aucklanders will either need to be fully vaccinated or have evidence of a negative test to leave the region. There won't be a hard border, but spot checks will be performed.

Read more here.

9am - There are fears a couple of dozen Kiwi general practitioners could be open to issuing unofficial vaccine exemptions. 

Newhub on Wednesday revealed an unvaccinated Canterbury doctor, Jonie Girouard, has been seeing patients face-to-face, carrying out minimal checks - such as a simple blood pressure test - before issuing them a medical exemption. 

Seeing patients in person while unvaccinated is potentially a breach of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021, which prohibits unvaccinated "health practitioners providing health services to patients in person".

The order requires vaccination for people in a range of front-facing and border roles, noting only those with "a COVID-19 vaccination exemption granted by the Director-General [of Health]" are exempt. 

Royal College of General Practitioners medical director Bryan Betty told The AM Show on Thursday he was alerted to Dr Girouard's activities last week. He added there is a strict criteria for obtaining an exemption. 

"An application goes to the Ministry of Health. That is signed off by a committee at the Ministry of Health and an exemption is given. Any vaccine exemption that is written outside of that is not valid. That may be something that is not understood in the wider community or by employers. 

"There is only one pathway for getting a vaccine exemption in this country. It is very defined, it is very clear and anything outside of that is not applicable and it is in fact void." 

GPs who apply for an exemption on behalf of a patient have to supply documentation "certifying that they have reviewed the person’s medical history, assessed the person's state of health and have reasonable grounds for believing that the person meets the specified COVID-19 vaccination exemption criteria".

When Newshub sent in a reporter undercover, the consultation lasted just six minutes.

Dr Betty fears there are other rogue doctors like Girouard out there - but not too many. 

"It's a very small number. We have about 5500 general practitioners across New Zealand - we think there's probably less than 30 that hold strong anti-vax views, and of that number this is the first case I've heard."

Read more here.

8:50am - COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has addressed an exclusive report by Newshub that uncovered Canterbury doctor, Dr Jonie Girouard, issuing medical exemptions to people who want to avoid getting vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Official medical exemptions can only be granted through the Ministry of Health.

Speaking to RNZ's Morning Report on Thursday, Hipkins said the behaviour is "very unethical".

"It almost certainly doesn't meet the standards that the GP profession set for themselves."

8:40am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak for Thursday, December 9.