The Government rejects claims its response to Northland's meningitis outbreak was too slow

National's health spokesman Doctor Shane Reti has received documents which show the outbreak wasn't declared until 21 days after outbreak status was reached.

However, a spokesperson for the duty government minister says Doctor Reti's claims are misleading - as they were refuted by the Northland DHB chief executive when he appeared before parliament earlier this month.

The spokesperson says they sympathise with families who had to spend Christmas without loved ones lost to the disease.

However, they say all parties acted swiftly to reduce the chances of others suffering the same tragedy.