Much-missed shops and services as well as tracks on Mauao reopen
Social distancing and basic hygiene still a requirement
1.29pm
Boaties' plans for a return to the water today have been delayed by a 3m swell.
Harbourmaster Peter Buell said about half a dozen recreational boats were seen in Tauranga Harbour, with about 20 trailers parked at the Sulphur Point boat ramps.
"There was a 3-metre swell being recorded outside the harbour entrance and that may have kept a number of boaties away."
Papamoa Plaza manager David Hill said the "crazy" queue for The Warehouse Papamoa was snaking through the mall, past the Countdown and outside into the carpark.
It was moving quickly, however, and people were being polite.
Hill said he had been "pleasantly surprised by how nice everyone is being". He had extra staff ready to help people figure out the mall's new normal but they had barely been needed, even in the busy foodcourt.
"The foodcourt is selling its socks off."
12.32pm
Fashion designer Toni-Marie Hood burst out laughing when asked for a photo during her pedicure at Hollywood Nails in Papamoa East.
"No-one will be surprised to see me here. I've been hanging out for it, so excited."
Getting her nails done was her "thing", she said. It was a family thing too - her mum and daughter had the appointments after her.
Toni-Marie Hood getting her nails done by Savita Gauthan. Photo / George Novak
Hood said that after weeks of selling her label, X.LAB, to stockists over Zoom, she was getting herself ready to hit the road again and visit the stores in person.
Bayfair Shopping Centre is bustling, with the carpark fast filling up and most stores inside open.
Manager Steve Ellingford said he was very happy with how retailers were adjusting and that all businesses had made it through the lockdown Some had stricter protocols than others, with many doing contact tracing at the door.
Bayfair shopping centre Constable Mefi Taele, Casma More and Senior constable Brett Hoyte. Photo / George Novak
Yellow and white stripes signs remind people to keep their distance and give limits on how many people can be in each store.
At makeup store Mecca Maxina, patrons are being temperature checked at the door by a staff member with a temperature gun.
Ellingford said there were queues outside he centre's walk-up barber's this morning, and appointment-only hair salons were doing longer hours.
He said about 15 people were waiting to entre Kmart when it opened at 8am.
Image 1 of 15: Pat Workman, left, Colin McGonagle, Ray Guild, Jim Nielsen and Rod Aikin enjoy a coffee together. Photo/ George Novak
Shoppers reported it was slow moving through the store with distancing protocols. Shopper Rebecca Burnett was stocking up on storage items and kids winter clothes.
A lawyer and mum of two, she said she knew what she wanted but it still took about half an hour due to queues in the store. A few older shoppers were wearing masks, but most people in the mall were not, though several were using the sanitizer provided at entries.
Mount Maunganui police officers Senior Constable Brett Hoyte and Constable Mefi Taele were roped into a social distancing demonstration photo with centre security supervisor Casma Moore.
10.21am:
Gym owner Estelle Baigent said she opened her business Bout Fitness at 5am this morning to a full class.
"I was like 'what are you guys doing, it's 5am," she said, with a laugh. Baigent said almost all classes for the day were fully booked.
"Everyone is just stoked to be back. It's definitely harder, no matter how you worked out at home. There are going to be some sore bodies."
The circuit was usually open for walk-ins but they switched to a class formula to ensure they could manage the numbers.
Hannah Mellsop was in a 9am gym class. Photo / George Novak
There was a 20min break between classes when all equipment would be sanitised.
Hannah Mellsop was in the 9am class - and she had the data on how her gym workout topped her efforts to replicate it in her backyard.
"I have an Apple watch. Today I did 412 calories in 35 minutes, at home that would usually be about 320 calories. Doing it with all your friends and with a trainer motivating you, you just work so much harder."
Mellsop is also a small business owner. She runs Real Rad Food, which is a wholesale supplier of raw cakes and the like for cafes and restaurants.
Distance dining is the name of the game for restaurants and cafes opening today.
Staff of Coffee Club Mount Maunganui were out measuring the distance between tables - one metre from the back of one pulled out chair to the one behind it.
"One metre is not very much," owner Janet Kim said.
She said she had opened for click and collect in Level 3 "to pay my rent".
In Level 2, she was opening with 40 per cent fewer tables than usual "which will mean way less revenue."
Sandra Blong measuring the distance between tables at The Coffee Club Mount Maunganui. Photo / George Novak
She was attempting to design the layout of the store so people would be able to social distance without thinking about it.
She said more public education about the rules was needed.
"People come in using cash and we have to say no."
8.05am:
There is a steady trickle of activewear-clad people coming off and heading up Mauao.
Among them were Mount locals Naomi Pianika, Hiria Rolleston and Ngawai Ormsby, who went up about 4am to watch the sun rise, and came down 3.5hours later.
Also among the walkers was former NZ squash champion and Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy. She and husband John Oakley took the stairs to the top.
Dame Susan Devoy and husband John Oakley at Mauao this morning. Photo / Samantha Motion
"Were ecstatic and so is everyone else up there. Its the first thing of life being back to normal for us."
Devoy said it wasn't as busy as she thought - "I suppose everyone has to go back to work" - but people were doing a pretty good job of keeping their distance.
"Everyone's got the traffic rules."
She said it would have been "mayhem" if authorities had tried to keep Mauao closed. She hadn't, however, been able to get a hair appointment "for love nor money".
Along with a host of much-missed shops and services, the tracks up and around Mauao will open today after a nearly two-month closure in the fight to stop the spread of Covid-19.
But it's not yet business as usual, with stringent distancing and sanitation protocols still required.
Traffic on Hewletts Rd this morning. Photo / George Novak
Mauao's tracks reopened today after a 5am blessing at the base to lift the rahui.
Tauranga City Council has labelled Mauao a "Covid-19 high-risk area" due to the number of visitors, social distancing difficulties and inability to contract trace users.
The council warned people should keep away from others (ideally 2m), give way on narrow sections, and avoid both passing others and stopping mid-track to chat.
The Matapihi Rail Bridge has also reopened with a similar warning.
The city's 107 public playgrounds will also open today, after a deep clean, along with council service centres. Transfer stations will resume all services.
On-street parking is free for two weeks with CBD workers encouraged to support businesses by keeping them free for shoppers. Off-street parking such as parking buildings are free for the first two hours only.
Businesses in Tauranga's mainstreet areas - the CBD, Greerton and Mount Maunganui - have banded together to launch a buy local campaign this week, encouraging people to back local retailers, many of which will open their doors today for the first time nearly two months.
Malls are also expected to be busy, with Tauranga Crossing, Bayfair and Papamoa Plaza all confirming they will open today.
Boat ramps may also see queues, with boaties able to head out on the water again.
Sulphur Point boat ramp this morning. Photo / George Novak
A temporary ban on vehicles on all beaches in the western Bay of Plenty will be also be lifted, with usual council bylaws applying.
Baywave and Mount Hot Pools will open tomorrow, followed by libraries next week, schools and early childhood centres from Monday and bars from Thursday.
Picnic tables, public BBQs and drinking fountains remain off-limits in level 2.
Play it safe: Level 2 golden rules
- COVID-19 is still out there. Play it safe. - Keep your distance from other people in public. - If you're sick, stay home. Don't go to work or school. Don't socialise. - If you have symptoms of cold or flu call your doctor or Healthline and get advice about being tested. - Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. - Sneeze and cough into your elbow, regularly disinfect surfaces. - If you have been told to self-isolate you must do so immediately. - Keep track of where you've been and who you've seen.
