Northland is one of the least vaccinated parts of the country and more than 12,000 people need a second jab before the region can hit the 90 per cent fully vaccinated mark.
Northland police, local iwi and Te Tai Tokerau Border Control are working together at checkpoints to ensure those entering the border are fully vaccinated or have tested negative in the past 72 hours.
However, police now say they will transition from the current fixed checkpoints on State Highways one and twelve to spot checks and regular roving patrols across the region.
It is not yet clear when this will happen. Te Tai Tokerau Border Control Regional coordinator Rueben Taipari said police did not discuss the change with them.
But he said border checks can only be done with a police presence.
Rueben Taipari spoke to Susie Ferguson.
