A new case of Covid-19 in Northland has caused concern among iwi in the area.
Māori leaders in Northland are calling for a vast improvement at the region's Covid-19 testing centres, saying the marathon waiting times on Monday left many Māori distressed and anxious.
The Ngatiwai Trust Board said it was inundated with complaints from kaumātua and whānau who were forced to spend hours in hot conditions awaiting tests.
It's particularly concerning as the region's population swells over summer, and with two holiday weekends in a row on the way anxiety is high.
Ngatiwai Trust Board chairman Aperahama Kerepeti-Edwards told Morning Report authorities need to ensure adequate staffing at testing centres in the region as the holiday approaches, describing the scenes from Monday as "bedlam".
Huhana Lyndon, a Whangarei hapū co-ordinator, said the events will "absolutely" complicate planning for Waitangi day.
"As we move into next week, with the busyness of Waitangi, we plan cautiously," she said.
