New Zealand extends COVID-19 lockdown as outbreak surpasses 100 infections

New Zealand's COVID-19 outbreak grew by 35 cases on Monday, taking the overall outbreak to 107 and prompting Jacinda Ardern to extend lockdown.

Of the new cases, 33 are from Auckland and two are in Wellington.

The growth is not unexpected, with the Prime Minister warning Kiwis on the weekend daily case numbers would grow before they subsided.

Ms Ardern's cabinet met on Monday and decided to lengthen the national lockdown through to Friday - a total of 10 days. Auckland, where the vast majority of the cases have been found, will be locked down until at least Tuesday 31 August - a total of 14 days.

"The safest option for all of us right now is to hold the course for longer," Ms Ardern said.

"Aucklanders will see this data and will know that two weeks (in lockdown) is a given."

Based on the case patterns of previous outbreaks and the government's previous response, it is likely the government will need to lengthen the lockdowns beyond those dates.

Columbo Street, the main street in central Christchurch is pictured semi-deserted during the lockdown.

AAP

The additional cases are increasingly straining the health system. Each new case adds potential exposure sites, which then add to the list of contacts that must be informed, and isolated.

As of Monday midday, more than 300 'locations of interest' have been identified, looping in more than 13,230 contacts.

"Of these contacts, 6,773 have been contacted by public health staff and are self-isolating, and 42 per cent have had a test," a health ministry statement read.

"Work is underway to contact the remaining 6,457 contacts."

Health officials have been able to link 72 cases to the same source, with investigations into the remaining 35 ongoing.

"Most have a plausible link on initial assessment," a health ministry statement read.

This outbreak is the first time the infectious Delta variant has been present in New Zealand's community.

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