A tourist faces deportation a day after arriving in Christchurch with no clear plans to self-isolate as New Zealand tries to halt the spread of coronavirus.

She is the first deportation as officials kick off spot checks of those who arrived in the country after 1am on Monday to ensure they self-isolate for 14 days.

Officers arrived at the Rucksacker backpacker hostel about 11.30am on Tuesday. A witness reported seeing a police prisoner van transport a woman wearing a mask. Several police officers could also be seen speaking to other backpackers.

The hostel's manager, who declined to be named, said a woman wearing a face mask arrived late on Monday night to check-in. The woman, who was originally booked into a dorm for one night, asked for a private room.

"I put her into a private room and then in the morning when I got up to open reception there was a lady from the Ministry of Health here coming to check on her and ask what her plans were for her isolation," the manager said.

"They were just questioning her for a little bit in my office. And then a couple of hours later we had about five police officers an another person from the ministry and they eventually took her away."

She said the woman was "a bit upset", but did not cause a scene.

The manager said the officers told her the woman was supposed to self-isolate, but had no proper plans to do so.

"She didn't have a hotel booked or Airbnb booked or anything like that ... because of that they had to take her away and put her back on a flight to where she came from.

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"She was only here for two weeks overall and obviously if you have to self-isolate there really isn't any point coming here."

Police have so far declined to comment on the incident.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier warned travellers who flouted self-isolation rules would be liable for deportation and face fines.

On Tuesday, Ministry of Health's director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield confirmed the intention was to deport the woman – the first and only such deportation he knew about. 

"We are also starting from today, the spot checks on people," he said. 

"I can understand why someone who might've planned a trip for a long time, two weeks in New Zealand, might be disappointed to find at the eleventh hour that they can't travel around the country, " he said.

Bloomfield said health staff were at borders, quizzing people about their plans for self-isolation. 

"We are also starting from today, the spot checks on people," he said. 

People who knew of travellers who weren't going to self-isolate should notify Customs or Healthline know, he said.

Ardern earlier said there would be "zero tolerance" for those who did not follow the rules of self-isolation and did not comply with with instructions from a medical officer of health. 

"I consider this a message and a warning to those who come to New Zealand," she said.

"We are a country who takes our role and responsibility of being hospitable very seriously. But in return we ask that visitors reciprocate. We will look after you, if you look after us."

"If you come here and have no intention of following our requests to self-isolate, frankly you are not welcome and out should leave before you are deported."