More than 40 thousand people have been tested for Covid-19 at Northern district health boards

Since testing began in Northland, Waitemata, Auckland and Counties Manuka, 16 percent have been Maori and another 16 percent have been Pasifika.

Northern Region Health Communication Centre lead Dr Dale Bramley says this highlights the ongoing efforts to help ensure equitable access to testing across the region are working.

He says Northland has reported that nearly 50 percent of the tests taken have been for Maori.