Jacinda Ardern has given a warm message to Aucklanders and the wider New Zealand community since the city is in a level 3 lockdown and the rest of the country is in level 2.
These restrictions came into effect at midnight on Wednesday after cases of COVID-19 were found in the Auckland community.
"Particularly if you live in Auckland, I hope you're bearing up okay," the Prime Minister said during a Facebook live on Sunday evening.
"I know this is a really difficult time, lots of uncertainty out there, but I can assure you that with a plan like ours - which we have been working on for some time for this eventuality - we will get through just as we have before."
New Zealand will stay in its current alert level settings until at least 11:59pm on August 26, but Cabinet will review the settings on August 21 to see how the country is tracking. Ardern says her aim is to restore alert level 1 nationwide as soon as possible.
"Our goal ultimately is to make sure we have the shortest time possible with restrictions, [however] we are still, at level 3, allowing about 80 percent of economic activity."
Even though there is still this level of business occurring, an extension to the wage subsidy was announced earlier in the week with Finance Minister Grant Robertson finalising the details this weekend.
The Government has been criticised for the lack of testing it's conducted, especially at the border, with revelations this week nearly two-thirds of Auckland's border staff hadn't ever been tested. Nearly half of all staff at the Auckland quarantine facility that houses COVID-19 patients also hadn't been tested, despite reassurances from the Health Minister they had.
Ardern also spoke about the importance of staying home and limiting movements, following a weekend of Aucklanders breaking the rules and visiting beaches and parks in their masses.
"Please, please, again, I ask that you limit your movements, make sure you stick to your bubble, no social gatherings I'm sorry, but we will, if we all follow those guidelines, get through this."
Under alert level 3, social distancing of two metres applies in public, and when this can't be followed people are encouraged to wear a mask.
