How a former All Black

As New Zealand begins its four-week lockdown, ex-all Black Norm Maxwell is keen to share his experience from a 12-day quarantine in coronavirus-ravaged Spain.

Maxwell, his Spanish partner Jesica and their six-year-old son Francis are house-bound in Galicia while his mother-in-law works on the frontline in hospital, ‘‘with those already infected with the virus’’.

The former Crusaders lock approached Stuff to ‘‘send a message of support and encouragement to the people at home’’, based on personal experience.

While confinement has had its challenges for Maxwell and his family, it has had its heartwarming moments, including an evening insight into the importance of connectedness.

‘‘A really nice part of days in quarantine is at 8pm each night, when all the people from the neighbourhoods pop their heads out the windows of their apartments, to clap and share words of encouragement to each other,’’ Maxwell said.

‘‘It’s a daily reminder we are not alone in this.’’

Spain has been hit hard by the pandemic, with almost 3000 deaths. The Spanish government imposed a lockdown on March 14, requiring all citizens to remain indoors, except those involved in essential services. Dispensation has been granted for people walking their dogs.

Northland-born Maxwell played 36 tests for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2004. Since hanging up his rugby boots, he travelled to Africa, South American and Europe before shifting to Spain, where he met partner Jesica.

In 2019, Maxwell gave up his Spanish rugby coaching job to come home to Christchurch to set up a self-funded pilot programme at Seven Oaks

School, coaching children in in mindfulness, self-awareness, outdoor activities, teamwork, environmental empathy and community outreach.

The family went back to Spain for a visit, but their plans to return to New Zealand are on hold until it is safe to travel.

For now, they must remain in self-isolation in Galicia in Spain’s north-west.

Maxwell says: ‘‘Though this a collective global experience, at the same time it seems a very individual one. There is a large variance in what people are going through; many others face occupational and financial instability. Most are going through some type of mental and emotional distress, and, worst of all, far too many people are losing their lives and loved ones.

‘‘To me this asking for us all to collectively to increase our empathy and compassion toward each other.

‘‘It is difficult to know exactly what our neighbours, locally or globally, or even close family members may be going through