Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the government has worked to protect Air New Zealand's services so New Zealanders can get home and essential flights can continue.
She told Checkpoint MFAT was working through what needs were required by New Zealanders and whether mercy flights will be offered.
She said: "We have an obligation to let New Zealanders come home"
Ardern said the scale of the returning New Zealanders meant the most practical response was self-isolation in homes, rather than in centres like in Whangaparoa.
Today, the Ministry of Health confirmed there are new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus in New Zealand, bringing the total to 39.
There has been a range of developments today, including supermarkets begging customers to shop normally and Air NZ's chief executive Greg Foran announcing the airline will continue to reduce staff, despite the government's $900 million loan bailout during the Covid-19 crisis.