Coronavirus: New Zealand has 49 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community

The Prime Minister has revealed Northland's level 4 lockdown will - as earlier planned - drop to alert level 3 at 11.59pm tonight.

The announcement comes as Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield revealed New Zealand has 49 new cases of COVID-19 in the community.

That brings the total number of active cases in the community to 725.

All of the new cases are in Auckland.

The total number of community cases in Auckland is now 709 and 16 in Wellington.

There are 42 people in hospital, including six patients in intensive care.

On Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Auckland would remain at alert level 4 until 11.59pm on Tuesday 14 September.

The rest of the country south of Auckland is now at level 3.

The Government is still investigating how the original transmission occurred from the New South Wales returnee who was staying in MIQ at the Crowne Plaza.