Queenstown Lakes businesses can continue to claim the wage subsidy while Auckland is at Alert Level 4 and 3. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in the daily 1pm update, clarified the rules around support for businesses as most of the country moves down to Alert Level 2 tonight. 

"All businesses remain eligible to apply for the wage subsidy so long as any part of the country is in level three or four," she said. 

"So, that means, for instance, a business in Queenstown, which is in level two, can still apply. 

"You still need to meet the eligibility criteria of a 40% decline in revenue over the previous two-week period. 

"But I want to assure businesses that the Covid economic supports stay in place as long as, for instance, Auckland is at those higher alert levels. 

"That, in part, is recognition of the fact that one part of the country can have a knock-on effect on other parts of the country."

There were more than 66,000 vaccination doses delivered yesterday. 

Almost a third of people over the age of 12 in New Zealand are now fully vaccinated, and 60% have had at least one dose. 

The PM also announced that NZ is in the final stages of buying extra vaccine supplies from other countries, to meet the surge in demand following the community outbreak of Delta. 

Masks are required on public transport and ride-sharing services, and also shops and public buildings, such as libraries. But they are not required for customers and clients in hospitality venues, swimming pools and gyms, although staff must wear them.