The government is celebrating a milestone of 10 million Covid-19 vaccines administered, as protesters against vaccine mandates continue to stake out the Parliament lawn.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
In a statement this afternoon, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the uptake of vaccines had been helped by a surge in boosters, and a healthy uptake of paediatric doses in 5- to 11-year-olds.
He said the 10 millionth vaccine had been reached about 2pm today.
"It's the people of New Zealand who have embraced the science and put their trust in the health system who deserve the biggest accolade. They should take a bow, and then take a breath and continue to encourage others to get vaccinated," he said.
"A strong booster uptake in all our communities is our best defence against the Omicron variant. Being fully vaccinated is great, being boosted is even better."
Some 446 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the community today, a new record high for New Zealand which followed another record of 306 the previous day.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people were into their fourth day of protesting outside Parliament, with many having pitched tents on the lawn or parked their vehicles in the area, blocking the streets.
Police had arrested more than 120 people the previous day in an effort to manage the protest, but today shifted were using larger, sturdier barricades with a smaller police presence and few arrests were made.
Hipkins said many vaccination centres would be open for extended hours this weekend to encourage more people to get a booster dose.