The NZ Covid-19 tracer app, run by the Ministry of Health, allows users to create a "digital diary" of places visited by scanning a QR code.
The app had more than 100,000 downloads overnight, Dr Ashley Bloomfield confirmed in Wednesday morning's live address.
Despite the increase of downloads, there is still uncertainty around the use of the app, especially from the younger generation.
An Instagram poll of 182 people showed 148 people said they didn't use the app compared to 34 who did use it.
Around the Ara Institute of Canterbury city campus, opinion on the app was varied.
Hospitality student Savhijaat Dhindi, 20, said he didn't have the app but would download it after Wednesday's announcement.
Ara students Brie Young and Finley Hughes said they used the app at eateries after lockdown, but had since deleted the app.
Ali Shafahi, another student at Ara, said he had the app but "doesn't use it".
An emergency alert was sent to phones at 10.13pm Tuesday and 6.55am on Wednesday on the updated Covid-19 response, regardless of whether the app was downloaded or not.
The Government app sends an alert when a user has scanned into a place at the same time as someone with Covid-19.