Otago University epidemiologist Michael Baker is sounding a warning around Auckland's border, citing concerns vaccination rates are not uniformly high.
Christmas and summer holiday plans for Aucklanders should firm up later today with the government due to announce plans on the hard border around the region.
It is expected to be lifted by the middle of December.
Baker told Morning Report as the government looks to move to the traffic light system the border is the big issue.
"I think many of us are concerned about the border around Auckland, the need for that to still be managed very tightly, probably into the new year, because we still got some other really critical things that we haven't done in New Zealand.
I think the biggest issue at the moment, is still the low vaccine coverage for Māori. I mean, 20 percent less than the majority in New Zealand. That means, as we know, this virus will always find the most unvaccinated populations. So, we really need time. I know investment is going into supporting raising coverage for Māori, but that will take time. I don't think we're going to be there by Christmas."
Baker was excited by news the government's vaccine passport would roll out on Wednesday.
"This is a great advance, the fact that people can obviously show their vaccinated, and that's going to affect access to a whole lot of high-risk indoor environments.
"So, I think that's very useful, and it's just another reminder to people that vaccination is really critical for protecting yourself and the people around you."
