The Far North is now in alert level 3 lockdown after a two unlinked cases in the township of Taipa north of Kerkeri prompted a snap shift in alert levels last night.
There is now a makeshift border from north of the Hokianga Harbour in the west across to the Kaeo River Bridge in the east.
The Far North mayor says people in the area are frightened at the prospect of Covid-19 spreading in the community.
Carter says he hopes the shift in levels will motivate more people to get vaccinated.
