National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis has defended Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after she faced criticism for taking a photo with a crowd while not wearing a mask.
The photo, posted to Ardern's Facebook and Instagram accounts was to celebrate the 2022 Youth Parliament, and was taken on a staircase in the Beehive on Tuesday.
Also in the photo are Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, Deputy Speaker Adrian Rurawhe, Minister for Youth Priyanca Radhakrishnan, and National's youth spokesperson Matt Doocey.
Only one person in the crowded photo is visibly wearing a mask.
Willis told Morning Report controversy around the photo was unwarranted.
"Let's be sensible about that. I think many people have taken their mask off for a photo, and that's all that happened there, and I don't think that's unreasonable."
It comes as there is renewed concern about the latest wave of Covid-19
More than 10,000 new cases were reported on Tuesday, along a further 21 Covid-related deaths.
Nearly 790 people are in hospital with the virus, including 20 in ICU.
