A group of five South Otago residents burst their bubbles and drove more than 100 kilometres for what they described to police officers as a family emergency.
Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said the story of a family emergency fell apart under questioning by officers (file image). Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The group - who came from three different bubbles in Clinton - were pulled over by Dunedin police as they left the city about 1.30am today.
Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said the story of a family emergency fell apart under questioning by officers.
"They stated they came to Dunedin a couple of hours earlier for a family emergency with a close family member," Dinnissen said.
"When questioned further it was revealed they didn't know the name of the family member and the meeting took place at the Night 'n Day store."
The 18-year-old male driver had previously been warned about breaching the lockdown and was issued with a fine while the other four were warned.
Other lockdown breaches around the city included a car and a bike which went to the Monticello sportsground yesterday afternoon to do burnouts, damaging the ground.
Dinnissen said muddy tyre tracks led officers back to a Glen Road address where the vehicle was located.
The car was impounded and fines were issued for breaching the lockdown and for the manner of driving.
Education was also given to a group at a playground and multiple cars parked up at John Wilson Ocean Drive - a popular sightseeing spot, Dinnissen said.
He reminded people to exercise in their bubbles and locally: "Which means in your neighbourhood. Not driving from Green Island to Bayfield to then ride 20 kilometres out to Portobello".