There are 20 new coronavirus cases in New Zealand as PM Jacinda Ardern reveals all Government ministers and public sector chief executives will take a 20 per cent pay cut.
During the country's three-week long lockdown, one observant neighbour noticed there was no movement in a house across the street.
On Sunday, that neighbour - who doesn't want to be named - decided to act on the uneasy feeling she felt about the health of her neighbour, Diane Tainui, andcalled police.
They discovered she was dead.
It left the woman distraught. She told Stuff she felt guilty and wished she'd checked on Tainui sooner.
Detective Superintendent Tim Anderson, Op Covid19: Major Operations Commander, said older neighbours, or those who lived on their own, were isolated due to physical, general or mental health reasons needed to know they hadn't been forgotten.
"While we can't physically spend time with them, there are ways we can let them know they're not alone.
"If you have the ability to connect with them via telephone, text, email or social media, we urge you to check in with them."
As in this case, people might notice a pattern in their neighbour's behaviour change; their curtains weren't being opened, the washing wasn't being bought in or the rubbish wasn't being put out.
"In these unprecedented times, this is not a case of snooping on your neighbours. It is about caring for your community and playing our part to ensure that nobody in our neighbourhood or local community falls through the gaps."
