Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is standing by the decision to move Auckland out of Alert Level 3.
The city is now at what has been nicknamed "Alert Level 2.5", a version of Level 2 with the strong suggestion people wear masks when out and about.
Ardern told Morning Report the system is designed to allow cases within the Alert Level 2 framework.
"The Alert Level that we have is not designed to only be able to manage Covid-19 at Level 3 or 4," she said.
Ardern also said she found Sunday's confusion over whether people in south or west Auckland should be tested was regrettable.
A post made on social media from the United Against Covid-19 page on Saturday night asked anyone living in those areas to be tested, symptoms or no.
Ardern cleared that up on Sunday after, saying the messaging was incorrect and only those with symptoms needed to be tested.
"I am sorry for those that felt anxiety when they saw that messaging or those who may have gone out of their way to go and get a test and feel that was unnecessary."
