Health officials will make allowances for high school students who could be fined 300 dollars for being caught without wearing masks on buses

Compulsory mask wearing for everyone aged 12 and over starts today on public trains, buses, and ferries - as well as aircraft.

A Ministry of Heath spokeswoman says there'll be a bedding-in period before police enforce 300 dollar instant fines.

She says most Kiwis are considerate and will follow the rules even though they aren't used to wearing masks.

Children on school buses don't need to wear them, as they are within each other's bubbles.