Southern mayors and business leaders hope the news that Covid-19 has reached the South Island for the first time since 2020 will encourage vaccination uptake in the region.
As Covid-19 cases continue to spread outside of Auckland, a petition has been launched calling for restricted travel between the North and South Island until vaccination rates reach 90 per cent.
Auckland's lockdown and NZ's ongoing level 2 restrictions are killing business for tourism operators, and the upcoming school holidays aren't expected to help much.
Southland businesses support Fiordland stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.