More than half the people tested at a new drive-in COVID-19 testing station in Wiri have been Māori.

Whānau Ora Community Clinic director George Ngatai says the clinic constructed the community-based assessment centre at its Druces Rd base in response to the urgent need in the area, especially amongst Māori and Pacific families.

It will operate seven days a week.

Another testing clinic has opened at South Seas Healthcare in Otara, bringing the total community testing network across the metro Auckland area to 14 sites.

Waitematā DHB chief executive and Northern Region COVID-19 lead Dr Dale Bramley said the two new clinics would ensure a culturally appropriate approach to testing for Māori and Pacific, and lift the testing rate in those communities.

Since March 21 around 20 percent of the more than 17,000 people tested at community testing centres, GP practices and urgent care clinics across the city have been Māori or Pacific.

Dr Bramley says although more than 98 per cent of tests return a negative result, it is important to test all people demonstrating potential symptoms.

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