New Zealand has another coronavirus-related death - a man in his 60s from the Rosewood Rest Home in Christchurch. The country also has five new Covid-19 cases today - two confirmed and three probable.
The family of the Matamata man who died after contracting coronavirus say hospital staff went above and beyond while caring for him and were "genuinely tremendous".
British World War II veteran Denis Albert Moore, 94, can now be named as one of New Zealand's 17 coronavirus-related deaths. He died in Waikato Hospital on April 16.
Son Chris Moore had nothing but praise for the staff who cared for him - in particular a doctor named Ayan and a nurse named Brenda.
"There's a certain amount you can go in life to do the right thing, and these guys ... went so far beyond, it was unbelievable."
Moore said both the doctor and nurse stayed in contact with the family and gave them updates every three or four hours.
"They were genuinely tremendous people. You know they used the term 'bedside manner', these two couldn't have been any better."
Denis Albert Moore died in Waikato Hospital on April 16 after contracting the virus. Photo / Supplied
Denis Moore was a professional soldier after serving in the British Royal Marines. His family brought him to New Zealand to live with them four years ago.
Moore said none of his family were Labour supporters, but were full of respect for how the Government had handled the Covid-19 crisis.
"Before this, the PM, I didn't have a good word to say about this lady. But she has nothing but our enormous respect [now]."
New Zealand's handling of the pandemic was "absolutely exemplary".
"I think [the Government's] actions have saved many hundreds of other New Zealanders' lives."
Matamata is the centre of one of the country's largest coronavirus clusters, with 76 people so far believed to have been infected due to a St Patrick's Day celebration at the Redoubt Bar.
But Denis, whose death was linked to the cluster, is believed to have contracted the virus from a relative who works at a different hospitality venue in town.
Moore said his father spent several days sick at home with district health board staff regularly visiting, until he was eventually taken to Waikato Hospital.
After that, he "went downhill pretty quick".
The family understood why they couldn't be with him as he died, but Moore said it was still sad not being able to attend his funeral and cremation.
The Matamata outbreak occurred after a St Patrick's Day party before the Government banned indoor gatherings, and nine days before the lockdown began.
