Auckland's almost at the lockdown finish line

It's the last weekend the region will spend in Alert Level Three before moving to the traffic light system on Friday.

Cabinet will sign off on its in principal decision for New Zealand to move into the framework on Monday.

Auckland's Mayor says residents are looking forward to progress - returning to businesses, restaurants and bars.

But Phil Goff says there's a lot to get used to - including using vaccination certificates.

He says Aucklanders will need to follow all the usual advice on social distancing, staying home if ill and wearing a mask.

There were 173 new Covid community cases yesterday - with 154 in Auckland.