New Zealand locked down her borders. No flights allowed to come in. The whole island itself was in full lockdown from the rest of the world and each county (Land District) was to remain closed to others. March 23rd we were picking apples at the local apple orchard and later that day we were notified that we were going into level 3 and that by the 25th we would be in “LEVEL 4 Lockdown”. Only “essential workers” were allowed out and about and only 1 designated family member was allowed at the local grocery stores. The streets were barren, the noise of the surrounding areas that normally occupied people vanished, the water was still even when it was windy. Mandatory lockdown wherever you happened to be when notice hit. No school except to get the required materials. Zoom classes would start at some point when the teachers could get things together. No water sports allowed due to the possible need for coast guard. Mountain Biking can only be done if you were riding to your MTB spot (no driving to any exercise location). Walking outside was allowed but you had to walk 2 meters away from other people.
As an essential worker in the NICU at Wellington Hospital, we rushed to get prepped for the worst, with all the PPE and how we would divide the unit if a baby got covid, how to attend deliveries with a parent who tests positive for covid, etc. We had to limit the number of staff in the breakroom at one time. We also had to change into our scrubs at work so that people didn’t see us outside of work as hospital staff. There was definite panic stirring around everyone. The trains weren’t running, so I had to start driving to work as well. We were allowed to carpool, but few were comfortable with doing that for the first few weeks.
New Zealand’s infection numbers were climbing quickly as everyone checked the latest daily stats. For the most part, everyone followed the Prime Minister, Jacinda’s guidelines. Most people listened in on the daily updated she gave on the news. Her voice became well known and impregnated the minds of most. I still can hear her voice in my head as clearly as if she was giving one of her speeches today. Thankfully the covid related death tolls climbed slowly and even stopped within 6 ish weeks of lockdown. We transitioned to level 3 lockdown April 27th, which allowed the kids of essential workers to resume in person school. The number of kids in each class was small and the work was minimal, but it allowed some rhythm to return to ours and their lives. Businesses had already been allowed to open up during level 4 that were deemed “essential”, so not only was I working, but Christian had some work as well. Nina’s school, being a large high school had to remain on zoom until level 2 was instated. Level 3 only lasted a few weeks and then the real freedom came with level 2 on May 11th.
When in level 2, the trains were back in service, all the shops were back on normal business hours, the gyms were open with the 2 meter boxes and swim lanes were kept to 2 people pre lane limitations, the outdoor activities resumed in full force, the schools were back in full capacity. Work was still on guard for impending doom, but overall much more relaxed. The limitation of gatherings was increased to 100 people and important events such as funerals and weddings started to come to life.
By June 1st New Zealand moved to Level 1. Everyone within the country could move around freely. Huge concerts were back in the mix as the gathering limitation was lifted. Families and loved ones trying to get back into New Zealand could with residency and 14 days quarantine that was really expensive. Eventually there was a lottery system to get your quarantine hotel spot, which ended up being bought by scalpers and sold for even more money to those already struggling people trying to get reunited with their families. This was hard to watch. We had the freedom to roam within the country without fear of covid while the rest of the world was still knee deep in it.
This was all fine and dandy for those in New Zealand, but was it really? Yes, we had a lot of freedom for which the majority were grateful for, but families were still being kept apart. This included ours, but in the opposite way. Ellamae had been with us during the initial lockdown and couldn’t go see her biological dad. Well, I guess she could, but then she couldn’t come back to New Zealand. Many people had families outside of New Zealand who they couldn’t go see because getting back into NZ was so hard and expensive. As for us, we couldn’t leave without risking losing everything, our home which was our boat and all the belonging aboard her. As non-residents, we could leave but wouldn’t have been let back in. We could sail away, but what country would let us in??? So much uncertainty.
With all of that being said, our visas we automatically extended under my essential work visa. School was included with this. We committed to stay for the long haul at this point. We were in a “safe” place with lovely people that we began to make connections with, reliable work and schools that were in person and at full capacity. And the silver lining of it all??? We got to explore New Zealand (Aotearoa) without all the tourist!
There were a few weeks in August that we had 4 cases in Auckland, so Auckland had to to go back into level 3 and the rest of the country into level 2. This was because of a few quarantine cases that slipped out, but that was resolved quickly and back to level 1 it was.
Here are some photos and videos during that time: March 2020 through the end of July 2020. Enjoy!
Immediate days prior to COVID …
Then COVID came and it was all about Keeping everybody entertained….
Easter 2020 : Chalk art for all the people walking/riding along the pathway to keep the spirits up.
Above and below: lots of outdoor adventures including campfires, bike rides, hikes and more.
HIGH-TEA with the kids and Trudy and Elli.
July’s Winter School Holiday road trip up the North Island from Wellington to Matauri Bay in the Bay of Islands (Northland Aotearoa). The kids (minus Nina who stayed back with her friend) and I got a head start on the road trip while Christian had to work a few days. He drove up a few days later in the car to meet us.
Stopping along the Taranaki coast.
Waitomo Caves – Glow Worms (click link) Definitely worth a visit in my opinion.
Matauri Bay – Northland Bay of Islands
And southbound again, back to Wellington. First stopover at the Coastal Drifters – Deb and Phil at Marsden Cove.
Stanmore Bay stop over – Orewa
Stop over in Raglan for a surf! Not quite Raglan’s epic surf conditions, but fun nonetheless.
Bridal Veil Falls Waikato
We met up with our boat friends (SV Blue Zulu) that we met in Panama for a surf and camp adventure in Raglan!
Kai Iwi – Mowhanau Beach. We wanted to stop here because we read about the shell fossils you can find in the rock and mud along the cliffs in one of Taj’s school books.
Shortly after our return to Wellington from the winter break, Christian and I celebrated out 10th anniversary by doing the Escarpment Track along the Paekakariki coastline. Definitely a top 10 hike.
We’ll leave this at that for now…
More adventures to be had while “stuck” in New Zealand during Covid times.
After talking with them we learned that they get brought in on a supply ship with supplies from one of the southern islands called Rarotonga, the largest Cook Island, and stay for 6-7 months at a time without re-supply. These two rangers were so awesome. They had the best attitudes, and were so kind to share “their space” with us cruisers. Many nights they allowed us to have potlucks and bonfires on the beach and would join us for the fun. Most nights included musical jam sessions as well, so we heard…
So after a evening potluck with music, and a morning of checking out the island, learning a bit from the rangers about the local medicinal plants, checking out the local feeding frenzy of sharks, then checking out of the country, we set sail for Tonga.
A Family Afloat 