The Auckland couple who travelled to Wanaka during lockdown have been summonsed to appear in court.

Equestrian William Willis, 35, of Karaka, and his partner Hannah Rawnsley, a 26-year-old barrister from Pukekohe, have been charged with failing to comply with the Covid-19 health order.

They crossed the alert level 4 border to Hamilton, using essential worker exemptions, then flew down to Queenstown and rented a vehicle to drive to Wanaka.

The couple, who stayed in a holiday home part owned by Willis' mother, a district court judge, initially sought name suppression.

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But they then allowed that to lapse and issued an apology, saying they were "deeply sorry".

Police, in a statement this evening, say they have "carried out a thorough investigation into this matter".

"While we appreciate there is a high level of public interest in this case, police are unable to comment further while the matter is before the court."

Rawnsley and Willis are expected to appear in the Papakura District Court on 14 October, 2021.