The lifting of the state of national emergency and the move to a national transition period does not signal that New Zealanders should stop being vigilant. It is essential that all New Zealanders follow the alert level requirements to ensure we do not lose the gains we have made. On behalf of the Minister of Civil Defence and the coalition Government, I reiterate my gratitude to each and every New Zealander, volunteer group, community organisation, local government, civil defence emergency management group, Government agency, and business across the country for their outstanding and extraordinary efforts in response to COVID-19.