Covid-19: One new MIQ case, remaining close contacts of community case all negative
Torika Tokalau
There is one new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation, a week after the most recent community outbreak was announced in Auckland.
The new case arrived in New Zealand from Singapore on February 16 and tested positive after their routine day 3 test. One previously reported case has been reclassified as under investigation, meaning the number of active cases remains at 51.
The Ministry of Health also confirmed all close contacts associated with the Auckland family of three at the centre of the latest community outbreak had returned negative tests.
These include those linked to the school and travel group to New Plymouth.
The last cases detected in the community were on Friday, taking the total linked to the cluster involving a daughter, mother and father, to seven.
Papatoetoe High School
As at 8am on Sunday, a total of 31 close contacts and 1,413 casual plus contacts had been identified at Papatoetoe High School.
Twenty five health professionals were the first in the country to be vaccinated on Friday, before they administered the vaccines.
The number of casual plus contacts has again decreased due to some people not being at school at the time of exposure, the ministry said.
Of the casual plus contacts, that include the wider student and staff school population, 1,395 have returned negative results, with one positive (Case E, who is a classmate of the original case), and 17 results still to come in.
One negative result, reported on Saturday has been removed from the tally as that person is no longer considered a casual plus contact.
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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83.6% Same!
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16.4% Would have liked to try something different
By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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