Page last updated on Monday 5 December 2022.
Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 to 49 are now eligible for a second COVID-19 booster to provide additional protection from the virus.
Broader second booster access will support higher vaccination rates among Māori and Pacific peoples and provide them with additional protection. You can have your second booster from 6 months after your first booster.
Learn more about your eligibility for the second booster.
Support and information for Pacific peoples about COVID-19.
With average daily COVID-19 case numbers at their highest in three months, the Ministry of Health is reminding people to continue taking precautions against the virus to protect themselves and others.
This can include staying at home if you feel unwell, wearing of face masks on public transport and where you are in close contact with others and good hygiene practices such as handwashing and wiping down work surfaces regularly.
If you feel unwell, you should take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test and report the results online via My COVID Record, or by calling the COVID-19 helpline.
On 18 October 2022, the Government announced that extraordinary measures that had been in place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic have been wound down even further, following the removal of the COVID-19 Protection Framework on 12 September 2022.
To read more about this announcement, see the Government's COVID-19 website.
Protecting lives and livelihoods remains the goal of the Government’s COVID-19 response. It is now possible to do this with fewer requirements, giving greater certainty to people, businesses and communities.
With case numbers falling, a highly vaccinated population, and increased access to antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19, public health experts say it is safe to remove most COVID-19 rules and end border restrictions.
Following a review by the New Zealand Government, it was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday 12 September 2022 that from 11:59pm on 12 September 2022, the COVID-19 Protection Framework (the ‘traffic lights’) will be removed.
For more information on the announcement, see:
Government's latest COVID-19 announcement 12 September 2022.
It's still important for New Zealanders to stay vigilant against catching COVID-19 and spreading it to their loved ones. Health districts and Māori and Pacific providers are providing after-hours vaccination sites in marae and places of worship. Visit our MPP vaccination event page or the Unite Against COVID-19 government website for details.
Below is information about the removal of the COVID-19 Protection Framework in each of our Pacific languages.
Te Reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani | Cook Islands Māori
Face masks are a way we can protect ourselves and others. You must wear one when visiting healthcare services like hospitals, GPs, pharmacies and aged care residential facilities. Some places like workplaces or marae may ask people to wear a mask.
Our website now has an online order form for Pacific organisations and those working with Pacific Aotearoa to bulk order free face masks and Rapid Antigen Tests. The page also includes a link for individuals to order free kits for themselves and their aiga from the Ministry of Health.
Order free face masks and Rapid Antigen Tests
Information on wearing a face mask
For more information about this initiative, you can email [email protected].
People at high risk of severe illness from COVID are eligible for treatment with medicines. You are at higher risk if you:
Eligible people must also have:
Visit the Government's COVID-19 website for more information.
After you have had COVID-19 and left self-isolation, there are a few things you should do and be mindful of in your recovery:
Following a COVID-19 infection, watch for fatigue and other symptoms of Long COVID.
A common symptom experienced by those with COVID-19 infection is fatigue. While you are recovering, it can continue for weeks to months after the infection has cleared. Learn more about Long COVID.
There is no clear reason why some people feel more fatigued or tired than others, and different things contribute to tiredness and make it last a long time.
Read some tips on how to manage fatigue.
With Omicron and winter illnesses circulating in the community, remember to do these basic things to protect your aiga:
Visit the Unite Against COVID-19 website to find out where to get vaccinated or receive a booster if you have not done so already.
With Spring approaching and the risk of catching COVID-19 again remains present.
The Ministry of Health is continuing to monitor international evidence on reinfection rates. Current evidence shows the chance of having COVID-19 again within 90 days of a first infection, especially if it is the same variant, is low but it can occasionally happen.
Ensuring you minimise your chances of catching COVID-19 again is especially important for:
People who become unwell with respiratory symptoms within 90 days following a COVID-19 infection but are low risk, should stay at home and recover until 24 hours after most symptoms clear up. We do not advise routinely retesting at home within this period but if someone becomes increasingly unwell they should seek advice from their doctor or Healthline.
Those more at-risk people who become unwell again within 90 days of their initial illness should seek further advice from a health practitioner. If you become unwell more than 90 days after a COVID-19 infection you should follow the same advice as for a first infection. It is important to take any respiratory illness seriously and take time to recover.
We are heading into the colder months — traditionally a time when there is also more sickness in general in the population. New Zealanders are well versed in following public health guidance — now is not the time to give up on those.
Please continue to:
Vaccination remains a key defence against winter ills and chills — both the COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people’s wellbeing in various ways, and it is vital to look after our mental health and that of our aiga.
You can find tools and advice to stay mentally healthy as COVID-19 continues to throw challenges our way on the Unite Against COVID-19 government website.
Mental health support is also available specifically for Pacific communities by calling the following free phone number:
0800 Ola Lelei – 0800 652 535
This year the flu will be in our communities but many Pacific people can get a FREE flu vaccine.
Visit www.winterwellness.nz for more information.
Talanoa with your family about who can get the flu vaccine for free and who might be due for other vaccinations. Look after your mental and spiritual health, and spend time with those you love. Eat healthy food and exercise. Speak to your GP or Nurse or phone 0800 611 116 if you have questions about your health.
The flu vaccine is FREE for:
Visit your GP clinic, local pharmacy or community vaccination centre to get your FREE flu vaccine. Please note: Children 6 months – 4 years must get their flu vaccination at a GP Clinic. It is still FREE for those who are eligible.
If you have had COVID-19 you can get your flu vaccine when you have finished isolating and feel well again. You can get your flu vaccine at the same time as any COVID-19 vaccine.
Anti-viral medicines will be available for free to any New Zealander 65 and over who tests positive for COVID-19. For Māori and Pacific peoples, these medicines will be available for free to anyone aged 50 and over. In addition, anyone with three high-risk conditions is eligible for free anti-viral medicines.
From Thursday 20 October, there will no longer be a requirement for travellers flying to New Zealand to complete the online New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
From 11:59pm (NZT) on 12 September 2022, air and sea travellers and crew do not need proof of vaccination to enter Aotearoa New Zealand.
This applies to people entering New Zealand from anywhere in the world. Travellers should check with their travel provider or airline as they may still require proof of vaccination.
For more information, see the COVID-19 website.
Vaccination and testing requirements for all travellers arriving into New Zealand will end, including air crew, from 11:59pm, 12 September 2022. People arriving in New Zealand from overseas will continue to receive free RATs at the airport and will be encouraged to test on day 0/1 and 5/6.
Pre-departure COVID-19 test requirements may differ depending on what country you're going to.
Embassies | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
For more information about the COVID-19 requirements specific to your arrival destination, see:
The COVID-19 Protection Framework ('traffic light system') ended at 11.59pm on Monday 12 September
Only people who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for seven days. Household contacts are recommended to take a RAT test every day for five days. So long as they test negative, they will be able to go about daily life as normal.
Masks will not be required anywhere, except when visiting certain healthcare facilities like hospitals, GPs, pharmacies and aged care residential facilities. Some places like workplaces or marae may ask people to wear a mask.
All remaining Government vaccine mandates have now ended.
The last workforce with a Government vaccine mandate is health and disability workers. This will end on 11:59pm, 26 September 2022. Some employers may still require workers to be vaccinated due to their responsibilities under health and safety legislation.
Anti-viral medicines will be available for free to any New Zealander 65 and over who tests positive for COVID-19. For Māori and Pacific peoples, these medicines will be available for free to anyone aged 50 and over. In addition, anyone with three high-risk conditions is eligible for free anti-viral medicines.
40,000 additional courses of anti-viral medicines have been purchased by the Government and they are expected to enter New Zealand in the coming weeks.
Masks are no longer required to be worn anywhere, except when visiting certain healthcare facilities like hospitals, GPs, pharmacies and aged care residential facilities. Some places like workplaces or marae may ask people to wear a mask.
You must wear a face mask when visiting a healthcare service.
As of 11.59pm 4 April 2022, New Zealanders no longer need to use My Vaccine Pass.
Vaccine mandates for all sectors except health and care workers, prison staff and border workers have been removed.
If you're planning to travel within New Zealand, make sure you're prepared in case you or the people you're with get sick. If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms:
Learn more about what to do if you get sick while travelling.
The best thing that people can do to be prepared is to get a booster. People who have had a booster are much less likely to require hospital care if they catch COVID-19. If it has been four months since your second shot, you can go to BookMyVaccine to make a booking. Walk-in and drive-through boosters are available from some vaccination centres. Information is available on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, get tested. Testing is free.
You can also call the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline:
for free on 0800 358 5453
on +64 9 358 5453 if you have an international SIM.
For any other health concerns, call the general Healthline number on 0800 611 116. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
People need to make sure they are prepared for a period of isolation at home in the event they catch COVID-19. Household contacts no longer need to isolate. Making sure you have someone who can deliver anything you need while you’re isolating is a good idea. Information on how to make a plan for if you or a member of your household catches COVID-19 is available on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
Our website now has an online order form for Pacific organisations and those working with Pacific Aotearoa to bulk order free face masks and Rapid Antigen Tests. The page also includes a link for individuals to order free kits for themselves and their aiga from the Ministry of Health.
Order free face masks and Rapid Antigen Tests
Information on wearing a face mask
For more information about this initiative, you can email [email protected].
There are step-by-step instructions available in multiple languages for how to take your Rapid Antigen Test. Most Rapid Antigen Test kits generally follow the same instructions but not all. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Get the latest information about the New Zealand government's COVID-19 response.