Coronavirus: New Zealand has 62 confirmed new cases of COVID-19 and sadly one death

Today New Zealand has 62 new cases of Covid-19 in the community and sadly one death, reports the Ministry of Health.

The death is of a patient in their 50s with COVID-19 at North Shore Hospital.

Of today's new cases, 37 are in Auckland, five are in Waikato, five are in Lakes, 14 are in Bay of Plenty and one is in Canterbury.

The total number of cases in this outbreak is now 10,493.

There are 45 people in hospital, including eight patients in intensive care.

To date, 95% of New Zealanders have had their first dose and 91% are fully vaccinated.

New Zealand is now in the new traffic light system, with Auckland, Northland, Taupō and Rotorua Lakes Districts, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki Districts, Gisborne District, Wairoa District, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu Districts at red.

The rest of the North Island and the whole of the South Island is at orange.

All red regions - except Northland - will move to orange at 11.59pm on Thursday 30 December.

New Zealand has had 13,349 confirmed cases since the pandemic began last year and 48 deaths.