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Jacinda Ardern's government is holding true to its reopening plans as New Zealand continues to notch unwelcome COVID-19 benchmarks.
Last week, New Zealand reported more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19; a seventh of its total infections through the entire pandemic.
There were also two deaths, both people with the virus who were isolating at home.
On Monday, health officials also reported the death of a recent arrival in a quarantine hotel, taking NZ's COVID-19 toll to 32.
Saturday's highwater mark of 206 cases brought a worrying record hospitalisation count of 74 on Sunday, and there is no indication either figure will drop soon.
The outbreak remains centred on Auckland, producing over 90 per cent of daily cases, which will enter a 13th week of lockdown this week.
Lockdown in New Zealand has so far gone for 13 weeks with no sign of cases falling (above)
This week, despite the roaring case numbers, Aucklanders are set for new freedoms.
Ardern's cabinet will meet on Monday to confirm its in-principle decision
