Covid-19: Waiheke Island reopens after 'catastrophic' lockdown

Friday, 3 December 2021

Waiheke Island businesses are excited for the return of Auckland visitors, but will need a busy summer to help with the impact of Covid-19. (Video first published in December 2021)

For the first time in months Christina Hyde is struggling to find a carpark on Waiheke - and she couldn't be happier.

Aucklanders finally returned to the island and its businesses on Friday after more than three months of lockdown, as the country moved into the new Covid-19 Protection Framework.

Hyde, who is the chairwoman of Waiheke Island Tourism (WITI), said it's been tough for businesses and seeing people back on the streets was wonderful.

“Even in level 3 we were locked off from our main customer base in Auckland, so it's been catastrophic for businesses, but we're really looking forward to opening,” Hyde said.

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Tourism and hospitality businesses were excited to see Aucklanders back on the island’s shores.

But on Friday the main street, just up from the ferry terminal, was lined with cars and a few day-trippers happy to be out of their bubbles.

Most locals who spoke to Stuff were happy to see people back, as long as everyone followed the rules.

Christina Hyde said Waiheke businesses had taken a hit and would take a long time to recover.

“It’s been just like it was back in 1974 when I got here, it’s been wonderful and it will never be like this again,” said Sherryn El Bakary.

But while she had loved the peace, she wanted to see businesses thrive and people back on the streets.

Onetangi Beach is usually covered with people, but through lockdown it has been very quiet.

Aucklanders Nick Meister and Rochelle Bolton had taken the day off work to head over for Bolton’s birthday celebrations - and a chance to get out of Auckland.

“[We’re] stoked to get out and have a bit of freedom, it’s been a long lockdown and we’re just excited to get out and support some of the locals,” Meister said.

On the 9am ferry from Auckland were people like Jennifer Jakic, who had been looking forward to getting over to the island for the first time since August 17.

Outsiders are finally allowed back onto the island for the first time since August 17.

Her son lives on the island and Jackic had barely seen her four-month-old grandchild in that time – with only locals allowed on the island.

“They came over to visit the other week, but I couldn't give any hugs or anything like that, so this will be very nice.”

Long-time local Peter Adams was more on the fence, saying some without businesses were still a bit apprehensive about welcoming visitors back.

But for people like winery owner Keryn Matthews, Freedom Day couldn't come soon enough.

The six weeks leading up to Christmas are usually the busiest time of year for Matthews, with the restaurant often fully booked from 9am to 9pm and space for hundreds.

So it was “heartbreaking” as lockdown rolled on and people started to back out of their bookings, she said.

“If I didn't run a business, I might have enjoyed the break, but it's been stressful… when you've got staff with four kids and you've got mortgages to pay,” Matthews said.

Yet they managed to keep their 27 staff employed and today they watched with delight as the first of two groups of diners rolled in.

“We're really nervous because we haven't been working for a third of a year, which is unheard of,” she said.

“But we're ready to go, can't wait.”

The enthusiasm was shared by manager of the Charlie Farleys bar, Mat Carpenter, who said he had managed to keep hold of all his staff through the lockdowns.

“Our philosophy is to look after our staff during lockdown, because we'll need them to reopen.”

And staff were hard to come by across the island, as many businesses rely heavily on backpackers, who had to head back home as their visas expired, Hyde said.