As we count down the days until Christmas, COVID-19 cases are ticking up - so what advice do the experts have to keep the virus out of your festive celebrations?
Air ventilation, mask-wearing and RATs are tools Kiwis are all too familiar with, and experts said all of them can be used to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19.
At the Ministry of Health's latest weekly case update, which covers December 5 to December 11, they said there were 40,098 new community cases and a further 35 virus-related deaths.
Senior lecturer at the University of Auckland David Welch said COVID-19 infections are at their highest level since June and warns they're likely to persist through the Christmas season.
"So at any sizeable gathering of people, there is a high chance that someone will [be] infected and may infect others."
He said COVID-19 is mostly spread through the air, so Welch urges Kiwis to hold gatherings outside or in well-ventilated venues.
"If you are inside, don't be shy to open up windows and doors, and turn on fans."
Welch had a message for those travelling on crowded buses or planes: wear a mask and ensure it is a good one.
"Check it fits well and is of the KN95, N95, or P2 standard. The blue surgical masks are not much good, though are better than nothing."
It seems RATs could be a good item to fill the Christmas stocking with; Welch is urging Kiwis to "make good use of RATs" and get everyone at a family event to take a test before the festivities begin.
"Especially if vulnerable older people are attending. If you are all gathering together from different parts of the country, test for the first few days after travelling."
He added finding infections early will stop the further spread of COVID-19.
Associate professor at the University of Auckland Siouxsie Wiles said swabbing your mouth, throat and then nose will provide an accurate result.
"You can get free RATs from Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, even if you don't have any symptoms."
And if you've had COVID-19 once, there's still a chance of catching it again.
Welch said reinfections are "common now" and added about half of current infections are thought to be of reinfected Kiwis.
"While a recent infection confers a good degree of protection against reinfection, immunity wanes fairly quickly."
He said those who were infected more than a couple of months ago could be susceptible to reinfection.
"The longer it has been, the more susceptible we are."
