Covid-19 Update: One new case linked to Auckland community cluster, a worker at KFC Botany
Hi neighbours,
Here's a vital Covid-19 update: A person who works at KFC in Botany Downs is the latest community case of Covid-19 in Auckland.
Kendall Hutt:
The community case, announced today, is a household contact of the cases announced on Tuesday.
Three new community cases were announced on Tuesday, connected to a south Auckland family who had previously tested positive for the virus.
The Ministry of Health said the new case, Case L, works at KFC in Botany Downs, which is now considered a new location of interest.
They last worked there between Monday, February 22 at 3.30pm and 12.30am on Tuesday, February 23.
The ministry said 11 KFC staff who worked at the same time as the case were considered close plus contacts.
They should get a test on Saturday and are required to isolate for 14 days, along with their household contacts.
People who entered the store, on Ti Rakau Dr, between 3.30pm on Monday and 12.30am on Tuesday are considered close contacts and should isolate at home until March 8.
The ministry said these people should also get tested on Saturday and then again at day 12.
People who went through the drive-through between 3.30pm on Monday and 12.30pm on Tuesday are considered casual plus contacts and should isolate at home until a negative day five test comes back.
These people should also get a test on Saturday and remain isolated until they get their test results back.
All contacts should call Healthline, the ministry said.
Two new locations of interest connected to one of the cases were released by the ministry on Thursday night.
Both on Great South Rd in Papatoetoe, the two new locations are Choice Food Bar and Li’l Abners Takeaway.
Viyush Grover, manager at Choice Food Bar, said the shop would be undergoing a deep clean “for sure”.
The owner of Li’l Abners said three workers were self-isolating, but it was otherwise open for business.
On Thursday it was also revealed a private house viewing was held at the home of cases I, J and K, on Saturday, February 20, before they tested positive.
The viewing lasted half an hour, and was attended by three people.
Kmart Botany and Dark Vapes in East Tāmaki have previously been announced as locations of interest, with one of the cases working at Kmart.
Customers at Kmart – at least 1236 people – and those at Dark Vapes had been reclassified as close contacts, while staff at both stores were now regarded as ‘close plus’ contacts.
The new cases sparked the reclosure of Papatoetoe High School, requiring all students and staff be retested, and forcing all households connected to the school into a lockdown of sorts.
As of Thursday morning, 1100 students and staff had been tested.
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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83.1% Same!
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16.9% Would have liked to try something different
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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79.3% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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20.7% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
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
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