There are 29 new cases of Covid-19 since yesterday and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealanders have saved lives by staying at home over the past fortnight.
Catching waves seem to be more important than staying home for surfers who continue to defy lockdown rules.
Police are urging surfers to observe the Covid-19 lockdown rules. Photo / Gisborne Herald
Police are now staffing some beaches to stop people from surfing or swimming.
A photograph of a police officer at a beach in Gisborne, waves crashing behind him, was posted by Kiwisurfer and four-time national surfing champion, Maz Quinn, with a caption describing his disbelief.
The resident, who asked not to be named, said there had been people surfing at the site every day since the lockdown started two weeks ago.
He said this morning's crowd had people from as far as Whitianga, about 35km away. That is a drive of about half an hour and goes against the alert 4 lockdown ban on not driving out of your local area.
"I've been calling people out and they don't like it. Hot Water Beach is one of the nicest beaches in New Zealand and the world and it should be leading by example.
"But we're setting a bad example," he said.
"We're fighting Covid-19 and the rest of the world is praising us - and here, they're breaking the rules."
Meanwhile in Auckland today a Bucklands Beach resident said they saw a police boat with a siren speeding towards what looked like two windsurfers in the estuary towards Halfmoon Bay at about 1.15pm.
A police spokesman said they turned about to be kiteboarders, and were also spotted on the Tamaki River off Glendowie.
"One of them was spoken to, while the other left the scene before police could speak to them."
The man spoken to had travelled from Auckland CBD. He was given an official warning, while inquiries continued to locate the second person.
Two swimmers were also seen off North Head and another swimmer at Narrow Neck beach - both were given warnings.
"We reiterate recreational maritime activities such as swimming, boating, kitesurfing and paddleboarding are not permitted during the alert level 4 restrictions and police will continue to be out on the water patrolling and monitoring the situation and speaking with those who are failing to comply," the spokesman said.
The Ministry of Health has already issued a number of health notices clarifying the lockdown rules around recreational activities at beaches, in particular, after earlier saying swimming, for example, was discouraged.
All water-related activities - including swimming, surfing, fishing and boating - are now completely banned under alert level 4.
