UPDATE: Medsafe has granted provisional approval of the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older, Covid-19 Response minister Chris Hipkins says.

Hipkins and Director-General of Health of Ashley Bloomfield are also speaking to media with the latest on the vaccine rollout and cases.

In a statement, Hipkins says provisional approval of the vaccine is the first step in the process.

Cabinet will weigh up options on using the Janssen vaccine follow advice from officials, with a "decision to use" expected some time in August, Hipkins says.

"New Zealand secured two million doses of the Janssen vaccine through an advance purchase agreement last year. We purchased a portfolio of vaccine options to provide us with flexibility, and the approval of a second Covid-19 vaccine is welcome news.

"Medsafe follows a rigorous assessment process informed by the most up to date medical and scientific data. Approval has been very carefully considered with safety the key priority.

"The medical evidence shows Janssen is a very safe and effective vaccine. It is a great addition to our vaccine options."

The Janssen vaccine would increase choices and flexibility in the immunisation rollout, Hipkins says.

"As a single dose vaccine, it may be useful in hard to reach locations or emergencies, or for those who cannot get the Pfizer vaccine."

The country's largest shipment of Pfizer vaccines so far arrived in New Zealand on Sunday evening, two days ahead of schedule.

The Ministry of Health yesterday reported two mariners had tested positive for Covid-19 and were isolating on a boat off the coast of Taranaki. It judged the public health risk as low.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told Morning Report yesterday that the government is considering establishing dedicated MIQ facilities.

The government faces a separate issue with MIQ as it struggles to recruit more than 100 security workers to staff managed isolation and hotel quarantine facilities.

Meanwhile in Australia, New South Wales is expected to today extend its statewide Covid-19 lockdown orders by another week, the second time the stay-at-home orders have been lengthened.

-RNZ.

EARLIER:

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will provide an update at 1pm today.

SunLive will provide an update for those who are not able to tune into the livestream above.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health reported one new case of Covid in managed isolation.

That is six down from the cases that were reported at the same time on Monday.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Ministry says there are no new cases in the community.

Three previously reported cases have now recovered.

The number of active cases in New Zealand is 36, says the MOH.

"Since 1 January 2021, there have been 82 historical cases, out of a total of 586 cases.

"The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is 2.

"Our total number of confirmed cases is 2402."