There has been a detection of Covid-19 in Tauranga wastewater and further testing is underway in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, with results expected on Thursday.

The sample was taken on September 23, additional samples are also being taken from Paeroa, Waihi Beach, Katikati, Matamata, Te Puke and Maketu.

Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says there are a number of reasons why wastewater testing may return a positive result including a recovered case or an undetected acute case.

Bloomfield says that people in the greater Tauranga area should get a Covid-19 test if you have any symptoms or been at a location of interest.

Testing centres in Tauranga will be opening extended hours today and additional pop-ups will be available tomorrow. The locations of those popups will be made available on the Healthpoint website.

When asked if Tauranga and the surrounding area should be preparing for a snap lockdown as a result of the positive test Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, "No."

Bloomfield also confirms it is unlikely the test result is a consequence of the truck driver from Auckland who recently visited destinations in Tauranga.

There are eight new cases of Covid-19 in the community, all of which are in Auckland. Of those, seven are contacts of existing cases.

The remaining case presented at Waitākere Hospital yesterday. The person was transferred to North Shore Hospital as soon as their test returned positive where they are being treated in isolation in a negative pressure room.

Five members of Waitākere Hospital's emergency department have been stood down as a result. Eight patients are also being treated as contacts.

There are now three active sub-clusters, down from four yesterday.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed that those leaving Auckland permanently can do so as of midnight tonight, should they provide a negative Covid-19 test.

Tune into the livestream above for today's update.

More to follow...