The national transition period will come into effect when the state of national emergency, currently in place for all of New Zealand, expires at 12.21 p.m. on Wednesday, 13 May. At 12.21 p.m., 25 March 2020—having considered the advice of the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management and in consultation with the Prime Minister under section 66 of the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act—the Hon Peeni Henare, Minister of Civil Defence, declared a state of national emergency for the whole of New Zealand to help manage the impact of COVID-19. 