Delta is here - and it's here to stay

That's from a Covid modeller, citing concerns daily new community cases look to be slowly climbing - with 44 today.

Most are in Auckland with three in Waikato, and while there are 12 mystery cases, all of Waikato's cases are linked.

Canterbury University's Michael Plank says the increasing cases should give people a kick up the bum to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

He says it's a matter of time before Covid finds its way into communities right across the country.

There are now 226 new locations of interest including in Raglan and Hamilton - and dotted right across Auckland.