After testing positive on a road trip from Tauranga to the Kapiti Coast, Hayden Candler (29) was instructed to stay in a room at the Paraparaumu Motel to self-isolate.
According to court documents, he was provided with an information pack by District Health Board staff informing him of the requirement to not leave his room, unless in an emergency.
On January 12, Candler left the room.
It was not an emergency, Dunedin District Court was told as the case was heard yesterday.
Candler told Judge Peter Rollo he just wanted to go for a drive.
Although he received a phone call asking him to return to the motel, he continued on to Black Bull Liquor in Paraparaumu.
Candler bought a bottle of vodka and other goods before heading back.
His counsel, Liam Collins, said Judge Rollo should convict and discharge Candler because the country was loosening Covid-19 rules and the borders were opening.
Judge Rollo considered the offending was more serious.
"The fact that New Zealand has so far been extremely lucky in its response is that people have adhered to the requirements of the [Covid-19] legislation and [public health] response orders," he said. "People undertaking what you did put others at risk in the community."
The liquor store had to close early and undergo a deep clean.
Judge Rollo said it was lucky Candler’s "unacceptable" action did not cause a further outbreak.
Candler said he had gloves and a mask on, and had just grabbed the alcohol before going straight back.
"I would have thought that by January 12, 2022, every adult in New Zealand would know what MIQ was and what the requirements were," the judge said.
Candler was fined $400, had to pay court costs of $130 and reparation to the liquor store of $400 for its deep clean.
