Aotearoa New Zealand is sending a medical team and supplies to Niue to help it respond to new cases of Covid-19, following the opening of its border to quarantine-free travel last week.

A medical assistance team will head to Niue on a Defence Force Hercules tomorrow, after the Niue government requested New Zealand support.

The first quarantine-free passenger flight from New Zealand arrived in Niue on 27th June, and positive cases were detected the following day as part of mandatory day-one testing for the passengers.

Foreign minister, Nanaia Mahuta, said Niue had had considerable success in keeping Covid out.

She said Niue has enviable vaccination rates with around 99 percent of those aged over five years double vaccinated, and 93 percent of those over 18 years are boosted.

The minister said a public health physician from the Polynesian Health Corridors programme and a laboratory technician from Pacific Pathology Training Centre are travelling to Niue today - July 5th.

She said on Wednesday "a medical assistance team of doctors, nurses and logistics personnel will be deployed on the NZDF Hercules to support the Niuean health system."

Personal protective equipment and additional rapid antigen tests are also being supplied to supplement Niue's existing stores," Defence Minisiter Peeni Henare said.

"In addition, a New Zealand Defence Force team of five personnel will also travel to Niue to provide medical planning and logistics expertise to directly support the Niuean Government's response."