An investigation will be launched over a leak of information involving New Zealand's active COVID-19 patients.
State Services Minister and newly-appointed Health Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed to Newshub personal details have been given out - which he says is totally unacceptable.
He said the Ministry of Health cannot yet confirm beyond doubt if it was a deliberate leak or simply human error.
"If it was the former, it is unconscionable and absolutely beggars belief why anyone would feel it was an acceptable action to take, given the trauma it is likely to cause those whose information is involved," Hipkins said in a statement.
"It would, quite frankly, be abhorrent, and potentially criminal. Either way, it cannot happen again."
In a document seen by media outlets including RNZ, names of quarantine hotels, ages, addresses, and full names of the patients were reportedly revealed.
Hipkins, meanwhile, has only been in the Health Minister role since Thursday after David Clark's resignation.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appointed Hipkins to the role temporarily until September's election.
Dr Clark announced his resignation following weeks of controversy, including breaking New Zealand's COVID-19 lockdown rules and blaming Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield for a blunder at the border, where two women were allowed out of managed isolation on compassionate grounds without a COVID-19 test. The pair later tested positive for coronavirus.
