7 Dec 2021

Police to set up two checkpoints for vehicles heading into Northland this summer

3:09 pm on 7 December 2021

Police say they will set up two checkpoints in Northland with local iwi to check for vaccination or proof of a negative Covid-19 test.

Border checkpoint in the far north

Tai Tokerau Border Control will be assisting police to check vaccine passes or proof of a negative Covid-19 test. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The checkpoints will begin on 15 December when the borders with Auckland reopen.

District commander superintendent Tony Hill said police would be stopping vehicles, and Tai Tokerau Border Control would help them check for the appropriate documentation.

He said they were mindful traffic would be busy and they would not check every car, nor hold up traffic unnecessarily.

Hill said travellers into the region would need to show proof of vaccination status or a negative Covid-19 test.

The checkpoints will be at State Highway 1 near Uretiti and SH12 near Maungaturoto, for northbound traffic.

Police would have 74 staff working on a roster to operate the checkpoints 24/7 in the short-term, Hill said.

He said police would then move to random checks and spot checks across the district to ensure people were complying with travel restrictions.

Hill said Tai Tokerau Border Control would be assisting police to check vaccine passes or proof of a negative Covid-19 test.

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