The government is facing a fierce backlash after the bungled quarantine of two returning New Zealand citizens - including calls for the Health Minister to resign.
The Prime Minister has announced she has brought in the military to manage quarantine and isolation facilities, with the option of bringing in troops if necessary.
Nine days after arriving from Britain, the two women were allowed to leave their Auckland hotel - without being tested - and travel to Wellington because one of their parents had died.
Both have since tested positive for the virus - the first new cases in 25 days.
Also on Wednesday a bombshell allegation in Parliament from the National Party, challenging the official line that the two women came into close contact with no other person during the journey from Auckland to Wellington.
RNZ political editor Jane Patterson filed this report.
