Some drivers still failing to obey lockdown rules

Data gleaned from iwi checkpoints set up at Urenui and Pa¯tea show some travellers are not abiding by the conditions of coronavirus alert level 3.

After five weeks in level 4 lockdown in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19, alert level 3 came into effect at 11.59pm on April 27 for at least two weeks, before being reviewed on May 11.

One of the conditions of level 3 is strict limits on inter-regional travel, which is only permitted for essential workers or people who meet the requirement for limited exemption.

However, in a statement, Nga¯ti Ruanui iwi leader Debbie NgarewaPacker

said in some cases people were ‘‘blatantly ignoring’’ the travel restrictions.

Between April 28-30, about 3000 cars were stopped at the two checkpoints, and 55 per cent of them were motorists from outside the region.

The checkpoints were set up with the support of police, with another mobile patrol stationed at the eastern entrance to State Highway 43/Forgotten World Highway.

Some of those spoken to at checkpoints were found to have travelled from Northland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and the South Island and included freedom campers or people who said they were on a ‘‘tiki tour’’.

‘‘Quite frankly, these reasons aren’t good enough, nor are they permitted under the current Ngarewa-Packer said.

Liana Poutu, of Te Atiawa, said there was no way to know if these travellers had been exposed to Covid-19, which was a ‘‘real concern’’ to Taranaki iwi groups and the wider community.

The Taranaki iwi checkpoints are similar to others set up around the country and are designed to educate travellers about Covid-19 restrictions and reduce unnecessary travel.

Police were also out in force over the weekend to check on compliance.

Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers said in general police were happy with people’s adherence to the restrictions, but there were examples of social distancing breaches or ‘‘pushing the limits while out for takeaways’’. restrictions,’’