Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is urging Kiwis not to compare New Zealand's approach to the COVID-19 crisis with other countries.
With New Zealand about to enter its fourth week of alert level 4 and the country still effectively in lockdown, Ardern has been urged by the likes of Opposition leader Simon Bridges to implement a similar approach to Australia - one that's less stringent.
Across the Tasman, the focus has been on reducing non-essential mass gatherings and enforcing physical distancing measures in public while some industries such as construction have been allowed to continue operating.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Ardern reiterated New Zealand's approach was different from other countries.
"We're seeing results that are different to others," she said.
"Very few countries have got their numbers down as low as we have so there's few to learn from at this point, other than ourselves."
Despite the differences between New Zealand and Australia's lockdown measures, the two nations have had similar case numbers on a per-capita basis. Ardern, however, urged Kiwis not to constantly draw comparisons with other countries.
"We'll do it our way," she told reporters.
Speaking to The AM Show earlier on Wednesday, Bridges said he was urging the Government to bring New Zealand out of lockdown next week.
"[Australia] has had very similar health outcomes, but they have had better economic ones."
On Tuesday, epidemiologist Sir David Skegg explained while case numbers were similar between the countries, Australia's hospitalisation numbers are far higher.
Ardern has said the decision whether to extend or lift the lockdown, which will be made next week, will be decided on the most up-to-date data.
