Police are cracking down on illegal partying during Alert Level 3, arresting eight people in Christchurch last night at one event.
Police say they were alerted to a gathering at an address in St Martins last night.
When they arrived, they arrested "a number of people" for breaching the Level 3 lockdown restrictions.
Eight people have been charged with obstructing a medical officer of health, a police spokesperson told 1 NEWS today.
"Others were spoken to and reminded of the restrictions in place."
It comes after Finance Minister Grant Robertson warned the public against having a party this weekend.
The Finance Minister says there has been an increase in reports of people holding parties in their homes.
"Don't be an idiot, stick to your bubble," he said.
Until now, lockdown breaches have been referred to 105 - the police non-emergency number - or an online reporting system.
Today police said they will "respond to emergency calls about large gatherings".
"Alert Level 3 is not a license for people to host parties, or gatherings with people outside your bubble network," the spokesperson says.
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