The move comes after the country’s traffic light system came to an end on Monday (12 September). People arriving in New Zealand from overseas will continue to receive free antigen tests at the airport and will be encouraged to test on day one and five/six.

All arrivals must also still complete a traveller declaration before travelling to New Zealand and only people who test positive for Covid will be required to isolate for seven days.

Household contacts are recommended to take an antigen 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 (sacred Maori meeting grounds) may ask people to wear a mask.