Monday marks the first day back at school for many students across New Zealand as daycare centres, primary schools, intermediates, colleges and universities reopen their doors after weeks of lockdown.
Newshub reporters stationed at major school zones across the city watched as returning students transitioned back to early starts.
The journey to Rangitoto College and Northcross Intermediate looked to be an easy one for the 6am rush, with many parents dropping off their children instead of relying on public transport.
A Newshub reporter stationed on East Coast Road said buses appeared relatively empty with most early-risers getting a lift from mum or dad.
Parents outside Peekaboo Childcare Centre at 7am in Pinehill told our reporter it was "quite emotional" dropping off their children after weeks spent together in lockdown - although children were "excited" to get back to normality. Staff were conducting temperature checks on returning children as a precautionary measure.
"It's a bit mixed, it's been a really nice two months spending time with them, but it's going to be really nice to have a rest," one mother said.
At Marist College in Mount Albert - the school at the centre of one of New Zealand's largest outbreaks - hundreds of students were seen clapping and cheering as they walked through the gates. Ninety-six cases were connected to the all-girls' school, deemed as one of the 16 significant clusters.
Auckland's motorways were relatively free-flowing on Monday morning, despite some congestion on the northwestern and near Manurewa. A few residents took to Twitter to complain that traffic was "back to its usual awful self". It follows warnings from transport officials of possible delays due to an increased number of buses on the roads.
As public transport resumes its usual schedules, physical distancing on buses and trains has required more buses to be utilised to cater for the reduced passenger numbers on-board.
Auckland Transport (AT) expressed concern that the reopening of schools on Monday would put additional pressure on the city's bus capacity, with urban buses being redeployed to help with school runs. To counter the reduced number of passengers permitted on each service, tourist and sight-seeing coaches have been added to AT's fleets for both school and public bus routes.
AT spokesman Mark Hannan advised parents to wait with their young children to ensure they got a seat on the bus.
"We can't guarantee there will be capacity for all students. If all available seats on the bus are taken then the bus will not be able to accept any more passengers," he said, as reported by NZME.
"We apologise if a school bus can't take all students who want to use it."
AT support staff were also stationed at key stops and train stations on Monday morning to manage physical distancing on platforms.
Yet a Newshub reporter travelling into work noted that just two passengers were occupying each carriage on the Western Line's 8:30am service - a stark difference to the usual commuting chaos pre-lockdown.
At about 8am the New Zealand Transport Agency reported "light peak traffic" compared to the normal state of Auckland's motorways.
"We expect Monday to be busy as more people head back to work and many children return to school, so please plan ahead and take the advice in the media releases on board," the agency said.
