New Zealand has recorded 18 cases of Covid in the community today alongside surging booster shot rates

43 cases have also been picked up at the border and 34 people are in hospital, with two in ICU.

Today's cases are spread mainly across the North Island ... with 11 in Auckland, four in Waikato, two in Canterbury and one in Bay of Plenty.

It comes as 45-percent of the eligible population have now received their booster shot.

The Ministry of Health strongly recommends boosters to anyone over 18 who had their second vaccine dose at least four months ago.

A Covid-19 wastewater detection in South Wairarapa is thought to be linked to the four cases reported in the region yesterday.