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Covid-19 spreads to another region amid more protests

Anti-mandate protesters hit the streets again as 172 new cases reported.

‘‘He, like everyone else, has to comply with current Covid-19 requirements and not encourage noncompliance.’’ Ron Mansfield QC

Hawke’s Bay is the latest region to report a case of Covid-19, as the number of regions with confirmed cases grows.

The case was confirmed after it had earlier been reported there were 172 new cases yesterday.

In a media release yesterday afternoon the Ministry of Health said 148 of the latest infections were in Auckland, 12 in Waikato, four in Northland, four in the Lakes DHB area, three in the Bay of Plenty, and one in Wellington.

The Wellington case was previously said to be a ‘‘weak positive’’ case identified on Thursday, and announced on Friday. A second positive swab result confirmed the case was active, rather than historical.

Meanwhile, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board confirmed yesterday evening it had been told a traveller from Auckland was isolating there.

That person, who was permitted to travel out of Auckland, tested positive after arriving in Hawke’s Bay.

It is understood the person had been in Hawke’s Bay since Wednesday.

Outside of Auckland, Northland and Waikato there have also been cases in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Taupo¯, Manawatu¯, Tararua, Wellington and Wairarapa.

Protests against vaccination mandates and lockdowns continued across the country yesterday. Most were low key.

In Auckland, police said they were following up after Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki addressed a crowd of several thousand people at an antivaccination, anti-lockdown gathering at Auckland Domain.

Previous demonstrations there have led to charges against the alleged organisers, including Tamaki, whose bail conditions include not attending or organising any protest.

His wife, Hannah Tamaki, said they had consulted their lawyer, Ron Mansfield QC, about the church’s leader’s attendance at the protest.

Mansfield said Tamaki could protest as long as he acted in accordance with the law.

‘‘He, like everyone else, has to comply with current Covid-19 requirements and not encourage non-compliance.’’

Attendance appeared to be significantly down from previous events, but hundreds gathered on the sports field, listening to speeches.

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en-nz

2021-11-21T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-21T08:00:00.0000000Z

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