Lockdown dreams and achievements

We asked Kiwis what they most look forward to beyond the lockdown levels, and what positives have come out of time in their bubbles.

Lockdown has been a challenging time for all of us, and we’re each looking forward to one day leaving our bubbles, seeing friends and loved ones, eating at our favourite restaurants and visiting the beautiful spots around our country.

Some dreams will be on hold for longer than others, as New Zealand intends to ease its way out of the restrictive measures.

But many of us have found things to celebrate and be grateful for during this trying time.

Tamantha Paul, Wellington

Wellington City councillor Tamantha Paul has found an upside of working remotely. ‘‘When you’re working in a physical space, I think you have restrictions on who you work with and meet with,’’ she says.

‘‘But having meetings on Zoom has created almost borderless communication with everyone.

‘‘I wouldn’t think I could work with people from the United Kingdom or Auckland and the tech side to this lockdown has unleashed that. It has really broadened who I’m working with.

‘‘I’ve been meeting heaps with the [Greater Wellington] Regional Council and it’s been awesome to work with them a lot.’’

First thing planned after the lockdown ends? ‘‘I need to go and get my nails and eyelashes done.

‘‘My flatmates and I are really keen to support Wellington businesses. I have saved so much money from not going out to lunch and catching the bus – so I’m looking forward to getting lunch from local places and ordering food to my house.

‘‘Of course, I’m looking forward to meeting people face-to-face because I’m a real extrovert.’’

Jennie Board, Christchurch

In Christchurch, Jennie Board just wants to get back out in her waka. ‘‘It’s doing my head in,’’ she says.

Under police guidelines issued for the level-four lockdown, all waterbased activity has been banned.

The rules relating to recreational activity will be relaxed for alert level three, letting experienced surfers head out and catch a local wave. But boating and yachting remain banned.

She would normally go out paddling multiple times a week and for a couple of hours at a time.

‘‘Your training gets that ingrained into you . . . When you get up in the morning and go brush your teeth, we get up and go paddling.’’

Being unable to get in the water had left her feeling ‘‘really unmotivated’’.

Board, also a competitive dragonboater, says the virus had forced her to cancel a trip to compete in China, where dragon-boating originated.

She says getting back in the water would bring back ‘‘a bit of normality’’ for her.

Sarah Pugh, Christchurch

Sarah Pugh’s wish is to give her parents, Ken and Cynthia, a big hug after lockdown.

‘‘I just want to be able to wrap them up in a big embrace and you know,