Coronavirus: New Zealand has 69 new confirmed cases of COVID-19

Today New Zealand has 69 new cases of Covid-19 in the community, reports the Ministry of Health.

Of today's new cases, 59 are in Auckland, one is in Taranaki, seven are in Waikato and two are in Bay of Plenty.

The total number of cases in this outbreak is now 10,289.

There are 62 people in hospital, including seven patients in intensive care.

Whole genome sequencing has now detected nine further cases of Omicron in international arrivals, taking New Zealand's total to 22 cases with the variant. 

To date, 94% of New Zealanders have had their first dose and 90% 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 13,125 confirmed cases since the pandemic began last year and 47 deaths.