Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern denies using fear as a motivator for people to get vaccinated.
Former Prime Minister, Sir John Key, has written editorials calling for financial incentives instead of fear tactics to increase vaccination numbers.
He described New Zealand as a "smug hermit kingdom".
Ardern told Morning Report the government has been making policy based on the best evidence, and releases information behind its decision-making.
"Just making sure that people know that our researchers and evidence overseas is telling us that a high vaccination rate doesn't stop outbreaks. I think it's just important information for people to know."
Ardern says many countries have kept border restrictions in place despite having large numbers of vaccinated citizens.
