There are nerves in the central North Island that the region will be at high-risk when an expected influx of visitors descends once borders further north reopen.
Vaccination rates in the Ruapehu District are some of the lowest in the country sitting at around 65 percent fully vaccinated.
It's expected Aucklanders keen to travel once restrictions are lifted will flock either to the area or pass through.
Andrew McRae reports.
