Measles Outbreak 2025

The story so far

In late September a case was confirmed in the Bay of Islands, and a Northland outbreak grew to 12 cases by mid-October, while a separate Queenstown case had no known link to it.^{26, 27, 29 Sep 2025; 13 Oct 2025} Cases then appeared in Auckland, Manawatū, Nelson, Taranaki and Wellington, with a Bluebridge ferry sailing on 3 October identified as a high-risk exposure event.^{21, 23, 24 Oct 2025} Cases linked to Wellington College, Wellington Girls' College and Auckland Grammar School led to hundreds of students and staff being told to stay home, and thousands of close contacts were identified.^{27, 28, 31 Oct 2025} The government made measles vaccines free for everyone over one year old, and more than 10,000 MMR vaccinations were given during National Immunisation Week.^{31 Oct 2025; 7 Nov 2025}

Latest

Health NZ reported five new cases in Auckland, Waikato and Dunedin on 3 December, taking the total since 8 October to 27, and described the increase as concerning.^{3 Dec 2025}

Key moments

1. 9 Jul 2025Three measles cases confirmed in Wairarapa after overseas travel.
2. 27 Sep 2025Four Northland cases identified, with a traveller from Asia the likely source.
3. 23 Oct 2025Bluebridge ferry sailing on 3 October flagged as a high-risk exposure event.
4. 27 Oct 2025Two Wellington school cases leave hundreds of students and staff as close contacts.
5. 31 Oct 2025Government makes measles vaccines free for everyone over the age of one.
6. 7 Nov 2025More than 10,000 MMR vaccinations given during National Immunisation Week.
7. 3 Dec 2025Five new cases take national total since 8 October to 27.
8. 23 Dec 2025Three more cases bring the national total to 35.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.