On Thursday, Aucklanders came out of a three-day lockdown caused by a smattering of community cases.

Jacinda Ardern's government had enough faith in health officials to manage the spread of the disease to lift the lockdown, a decision justified by Thursday's announcement of no new community cases.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said 1490 close contacts had been tested, with 1398 negative results, one positive and 91 results pending.

COVID-19 Minister Chris Hipkins said the government decided to keep mask-wearing provisions across the country, despite previously arguing the measure was unnecessary.

"It can be done easily and it can become a normal part of day-to-day life," Mr Hipkins said.

Passengers on ferries crossing Cook Strait, between North and South Island, are exempt.

Taxi and ride-sharing passengers also do not need to wear masks, but drivers do.

The new national mask-wearing rules will be reviewed on Monday part of a broader look at New Zealand's alert level settings.

The nation will carry out its first vaccinations on Saturday, prioritising the 12,000 border workers that are most likely to be infected.

Mr Hipkins revealed the government is factoring in a 15 per cent vaccination failure rate, which includes vials being dropped on the floor.

"Human beings are not 100 per cent perfect. People make mistakes," he said.

Australian Associated Press