"What we've got to look at here is making sure that across large modern shopping centres all the different components are meeting the Government's objectives in terms of social distancing, providing a safe environment and making sure that we do uphold what government is trying to achieve."
He said customers would need reassurance from retailers it is safe to shop again.
Mark Rose, general manager of the Rees Hotel in Queenstown, told Morning Report he was still smiling after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's announcement yesterday.
"We were worried that, at level 2, there wouldn't be air travel into Queenstown - which is a major part of our business - so the fact that people can fly in from our major centres is going to make a huge difference."
He said the announcement was the light at the end of the tunnel for a very long six weeks.
"For us to know we're going to be able to serve some customers is great for both our business and our staff."
Rose said it was a great time for Kiwis to visit places in their own country without crowds of foreign tourists.
Raechal Ferguson, co-owner of Wellington restaurant Field and Green, is also excited about the announcement.
She told Morning Report the process outlined by Ardern was the one the restaurant normally followed anyway. Their only change would be a reduction in the number of tables in the restaurant.
Ferguson said there needed to be clarity on the rules about waiters and tables. Yesterday, the Government said there was to be one waiter per table, but restaurateurs are unsure if that means waiters cannot serve more than one table at once. It's a caveat that could mean huge expense to restaurants.
Dave Porteous, from Bowls Hastings, told Morning Report he was eagerly preparing for reopening.
Porteous has set up hand sanitiser dispensers around the green and has a contact-tracing system ready to go.
