Te Awamutu woman on one of first flights to Australia, meets new grandson

Lisa May Oxenham with her grandchildren Kalani (middle) and Aaliya Heke at Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Rockhampton. Photo / Supplied

A Te Awamutu woman was on one of the first flights to Australia when the transtasman travel bubble opened on April 19.

Lisa May Oxenham wasted no time getting travel sorted – she had a grandson to meet and a son who she had not seen for three years to see.

"When discussions about a travel bubble started, I was excited that I might finally be able to see my children and grandchildren who live in Australia," says Lisa.

She admits that she was nervous and anxious to travel because of Covid-19.

But that those feelings were eased by Air New Zealand's management – having distance kept between other passengers and being kept separate from those travelling to other destinations.

"It was all managed really well," says Lisa.

Lisa's flight departed Auckland International Airport at 9am and it headed to Brisbane.

On her flight, all passengers were given a gift bag that in talk-show style was left under each seat.

And there was also complimentary wine going around.

"The staff were all lovely and just as excited as the passengers," says Lisa.

The celebrations didn't stop there though.

When she arrived in Brisbane, the staff at the airport welcomed them all and handed out gifts.

She then boarded another flight to get to her final destination – Rockhampton, where she was reunited with her sons and grandchildren finally.

New Zealand closed its borders to in March to anyone who wasn't a citizen or permanent resident.

"The hardest part about the Covid-19 situation for me was being separated from my children and there being nothing I could do about it," says Lisa.

"It was a hard year."

Lisa says they also had a family member pass away during the time the borders were closed and that it was difficult to not be able to offer support and have a proper send-off and tangi.

She is spending three weeks in Rockhampton with her family.

"I'll be hugging them all as much as I can," says Lisa.

During her time there, Lisa plans to visit a lot of tourist attractions, the rodeo and horse saddleries.

So far she has already visited a few local beaches and Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary.