New Zealand reports its highest coronavirus numbers amid push for vaccines

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern (Robert Kitchin/AP)

New Zealand counted its most new coronavirus cases of the pandemic as an outbreak in its largest city grew and officials urged vaccinations as a way out of Auckland’s two-month lockdown.

Health officials found 94 new local infections, eclipsing the 89 that were reported twice during the early days of the pandemic 18 months ago.