This includes all playgrounds and other facilities within our parks, like park benches and basketball courts, as well as non-essential services such as libraries, pools and leisure centres, service centres, visitor centres, our network of community venues and our early childhood education centres.

 This means that the Waiatarua Hall and Library are closed until further notice.  

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff asks everyone to remain calm and follow the Alert Level 3 rules.

“Auckland Council is closing all its community facilities and non-essential services to help prevent any further spread of COVID-19 in the community,” he said.

“However, essential council services will continue, and supermarkets, pharmacies, and petrol stations will remain open. Please stay calm, shop as normal and follow Ministry of Health advice around good hygiene practices and social distancing. Those who can work from home should do so.

“We’ve beaten COVID-19 once already by working together, and we will do so again by working together as a team. Please look out for yourself and others, stay safe and follow the Ministry of Health guidelines.”

Acting Auckland Council Chief Executive Patricia Reade says that, in line with guidance from the government, the council will continue to provide essential services during Alert Level 3.

“Over the coming days, we’ll continue to pick up and dispose of rubbish and recycling, but other non-essential open space maintenance will be stopped until Friday. Around 100 of our public toilets will remain open for essential workers and members of the rough sleeper community, and our public transport system will continue to operate,” says Ms Reade.

While people must stay home unless it is essential, the council encourages people to make use of its online tools – Aucklanders will still be able to borrow an electronic book, magazine or audiobooks from the library, lodge a consent or register their dog.

For up to date information on council services, visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone 09-301-0101.

For the most up-to-date government response information please go to covid19.govt.nz.

Contact tracing is an essential to stopping the spread. All New Zealanders need to keep a record of where they have been to allow faster contact tracing. Use the government’s COVID tracer app if you can, or make a note.

Government advises Auckland move to Alert Level 3

As of midday Wednesday 12 August, the Auckland region (Auckland Council area) will move to Alert Level 3 for 3 days until midnight on Friday 14 August. The rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2.

Important information for people in the Auckland region

• Travel in and out of Auckland will be restricted to essential travel only, with roadblocks in place
• Work from home unless you are an essential worker
• All schools and childcare facilities will be closed except for children of essential service workers.
• All public facilities, bars, restaurants and businesses should close.
• Supermarkets, pharmacies, and petrol stations remain open – shop as normal. Food delivery will be available
• Keep a 2 metre physical distance and wear a mask when in public when you can’t distance
• Stay home if you’re sick, wash your hands, cough or sneeze into your elbow, clean surfaces
• Keep a record of where you have been, use the NZ COVID app
• If you have cold or flu like symptoms call your GP or Healthline to book a free COVID-19 test, and get tested if asked

The latest information can be found on covid19.govt.nz or the Unite Against COVID social media channels

For more information on testing visit this page.

For more information on the Alert Levels, see this Unite Against COVID PDF guide.

Important information for people outside of Auckland

• Auckland has a new case of COVID-19 and moves to Alert Level 3
• The rest of New Zealand moves to Alert Level 2
• There will only be essential travel to/from Auckland
• Don’t panic buy, all businesses outside Auckland are open with social distancing in place.
• Keep a 2 metre physical distance and wear a mask when in public when you can’t distance.
• Stay home if you’re sick, wash your hands, cough or sneeze into your elbow, clean surfaces
• If you are sick call your GP or Healthline to book a free COVID-19 test, and get tested if asked
• Keep a record of where you have been, use NZ COVID app.
• The latest information can be found on covid19.govt.nz or the Unite Against Covid social media channels

These measures are temporary to stop the spread of COVID-19 and will apply for the next three days while information is gathered and contact tracing and testing is underway.

We will update you all again when more news comes to hand.