There have been five new cases of COVID-19 recorded in New Zealand in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health confirmed on Saturday afternoon, and one more death.

Forgoing the usual 1pm press conference, the ministry released the latest pandemic figures on its website and in a written statement.

The death was a woman in her 70s at Waitakere Hospital in west Auckland. She had been transferred from St Margarets Hospital and Rest Home, and is the second from there to have died.

She had underlying health conditions, and a family member was able to visit her over the past few days.

Seven remain in hospital, including one in ICU at Middlemore.