Since then, New Zealanders, through their efforts, have made great strides in combating the spread of COVID-19. This is clearly evident in the numbers of new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, which continue to slow and decline. With the relaxing of restrictions provided for under alert level 2, and the decreasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, it is now appropriate to lift the state of national emergency. But while the trends are positive, level 2 is not a return to business as usual. Putting a national transition period in place will help support a nationally consistent and coordinated approach to civil defence emergency management activities. 