For more than a year, Australia and New Zealand were sanctuaries away from the pandemic world.

But the Delta variant snuck in through Australia’s strict quarantine borders and called the whole strategy of Covid elimination into question.

With lockdowns affecting half of the population in Australia - and some tired of the endless cycles - the country has now shifted focus: Australia says suppressing Covid to zero is impossible and vaccinations will allow them to live with the virus.

But that shift has not been repeated in New Zealand. Jacinda Ardern has stuck to her original plan, believing strict and quick lockdowns combined with increased vaccinations can completely suppress the Delta wave.

What's next for both nations as they go their different ways?

Sources: Sky News, DW News, 7:30, 7 News