New Zealand has vaccinated at least 2.5 per cent of its people today (Saturday) as the government tries to accelerate inoculations and live with Covid-19, preliminary health ministry data shows.

Through an array of strategies, gimmicks and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's encouragement through the day, 124,669 shots were administered by late in the day in a country of 4.9 million, reports Reuters.

“We set a target for ourselves, Aotearoa, you've done it, but let's keep going,” Ardern said, using a Maori name for New Zealand at a vaccination site, according to the Newshub news service. “Let's go for 150. Let's go big or go home.”