Measles Alert: The 10 May deadline for Wellington families

Wellington health officials are on high alert as a third measles case is confirmed.

Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand warns that anyone exposed at a popular Newtown deli could start showing symptoms by this Sunday.

The latest case has been linked back to Mediterranean Foods Trattoria & Deli in Newtown.

Health experts are particularly worried about "walk-up diners", who were at the restaurant on Sunday, 19 April, between 5.30pm and 8.23pm.

If you were there and you aren't immune, the virus could be hiding in your system right now.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Vipond has a clear warning for the community: “Anyone who was at the restaurant on Sunday, 19 April should be alert for symptoms such as the start of a skin rash through to Sunday, 10 May.

With 150 cases in Japan and dozens of hospitalisations in Kiribati already this year, doctors warn that measles is "only one flight away" from our Pacific communities. Photo/RNZ

"If symptoms develop, it’s important to stay at home and seek advice," Vipond said in a statement.

Measles isn't just a simple rash, it is a "serious and highly infectious illness" that can hit our babies and elders the hardest.

Because it spreads through the air just by breathing or coughing, one person at a Sunday service or a family To’ona’i could unknowingly infect dozens of others.

The person who caught this latest case did the right thing by isolating early but health officials are still tracing other locations of interest.

Measles is highly infectious and can be life-threatening for babies. Health leaders are urging parents to check vaccination records before attending church or family gatherings this weekend. Photo/UNICEF

What to look out for

The tricky thing about measles is that it starts off looking like a cold or the flu.

You need to watch your family closely for:

• A fever higher than 38°C.

• A runny nose, cough, and sore, pink, watery eyes.

• A rash that starts on the face and spreads down to the arms and legs.

"Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness, which can affect adults as well as children and babies,” Vipond says.

If your child has a fever or a rash, do not visit your GP in person. Stay home and call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to prevent spreading the virus to others. Photo/Rotary South Pacific

The best way to stop this from hitting our Pacific community is the MMR vaccine. It’s free for everyone under 18 (no matter your visa status) and free for most adults.

The warning comes as the wider Pacific region faces a fresh battle with the virus.

So far in 2026, Australia has reported 85 cases, while Japan has seen a significant surge with over 150 cases many linked to international travel.

Close to home, Pacific health authorities are closely monitoring regional hotspots like South Tarawa in Kiribati where an outbreak has already led to dozens of hospitalisations this year.

With the borders open and families constantly travelling between the islands and Aotearoa, officials say the risk of a single case sparking a regional outbreak remains high.

If you or your children start feeling sick, do not just walk into your GP clinic or the hospital. You could spread the virus to everyone in the waiting room. Instead, stay home and call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116.

“If symptoms develop, it’s important to stay at home and seek advice,” Vipond says.

Check the Health NZ website for the latest list of where the virus has been and how to keep our families safe before this weekend’s deadline.