Business owners in Auckland say they're relieved the city is moving to alert level 1 later this week.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday Auckland is moving out of level 2 at 11:59 on Wednesday night.
Level 1 means there are no restrictions on the size of gatherings and businesses aren't constrained by level 2 regulations, such as only having one server per customer.
Manager of Auckland's Danny Doolan's bar Colin McGuire says the second lockdown has been tough.
"The first lockdown was difficult, I think the second one was a little harder because we had three months of back-to-normal, and straight away back again [into lockdown]," McGuire said.
The level change was also welcomed by Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner, who says the stands can now be filled to capacity.
"[We] have that escapism that we know sport can provide. A lot of people have been struggling through COVID so we know this is going to be a celebration for the country."
Businesses will still be required to display QR codes for the COVID Tracer app, but masks will no longer be compulsory on public transport or at mass gatherings like rugby games - but they're use is still encouraged.
When Ardern was asked if people at those types of mass gatherings should be wearing masks, she said people "should be making those choices for themselves".
This is against the preference of health experts, who agree with the shift down levels but believe it should've been to a customised level 1.5.
"This level keeps some sensible precautions, particularly mask use on public transport," Otago University epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker said.
Aucklanders Newshub spoke to said they were glad the city was moving to level 1.
"Quite relieved, actually," one said.
