Cheek to cheek for first time
The fanfare of the trans-Tasman bubble has died down at Wellington International Airport but not for the families and friends who continue to be reunited after months of separation.
Wellington’s first passenger flight touched down from Sydney on Monday afternoon. It was the first post-Covid-19 Air New Zealand flight from Australia to land in the capital.
The two-way video screen between the passengers in the arrivals lounge and those waiting in the terminal had disappeared, along with the greenery that covered the exit. But that did not stop the tears, hugs and kisses from the Cheek family.
Waiting at the terminal yesterday for the 2.30pm flight from Melbourne to land were Allie Cheek and her children, 5-year-old Jasper and 11-month-old Jonas.
Her husband and other child were supposed to be there too but had been called to a ‘‘kindy emergency’’ for a broken arm, she said.
Cheek said she was waiting for her mother-in-law, June, who they had not seen for 18 months.
‘‘We’ve been rolling with the punches but it’s definitely exciting that the trans-Tasman bubble is open.’’
June’s arrival also meant she could meet Jonas for the first time and celebrate his first birthday today, and be there for Jasper’s first week of school.
‘‘Our dog also just had 10 puppies, so she can help with the chaos,’’ Cheek said.
As June made her way through the exit, she greeted her family with a huge smile before they all erupted into tears amid the hugs. ‘‘It’s been too long,’’ June said.
She said being in Wellington was wonderful, and she appreciated the bubble, especially when her family ‘‘felt totally out of reach’’ for a time.
Along with the Cheek family, Alice Ingram was waiting for close friend Bhrett Brockley to come through the exit. The pair have been friends for 13 years, and had not seen each other since 2015.
The friends hugged, laughed and smiled when they were reunited. ‘‘I just missed out on
Alice’s wedding, so I came to celebrate,’’ Brockley said.
They planned on travelling around Wellington and going to wineries, and Brockley planned to meet Ingram’s husband.
‘‘I’m relieved and happy that Australia and New Zealand have this connection,’’ she said.
With 400 flights scheduled by the end of the week, families and friends will continue to reunite in the days, weeks and months to come.