Coronavirus cases recorded in New Zealand for first time in 102 days

New Zealand has recorded its first cases of coronavirus in more than 100 days.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed four new cases in Auckland and announced a lockdown will be in force as of Wednesday for the area.

The four cases were confined to one household, she added, with more than one workplace involved.

The source of the cases is not yet clear.

As of noon on Wednesday, Auckland will be in lockdown for a period of three days until midnight on Friday.

"These three days will give us time to assess the situation, gather information, make sure we have widespread contact tracing so we can find out more about how this case arose and make decisions on how to respond to it once we have further information," she said.

New Zealand marked 100 days without the infection transmitting through the community on the weekend and the leadership is keen to stem the fresh outbreak as soon as possible.

Ms Ardern added: "Let me set out what this means for Aucklanders and the rest of New Zealand.

"We're asking people in Auckland to stay home to stop the spread, this means doing the simple things that you'll be familiar with to prevent picking up the virus or passing it on to others.

"First, act as if you have Covid and as if the people around you have Covid.

"At level three you're asked to stay at home in your bubble unless you're going to the supermarket or local recreation."