As Auckland prepares itself to slowly transition out of its COVID-19 alert level restrictions, confusion still remains among those in the city about what they can and can't do come Tuesday night.
The Government announced its roadmap out of lockdown restrictions on Monday, which includes a phased reopening of people's bubbles, retail, hospitality, and schools. There are no targets or dates assigned to each step on the roadmap, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern instead saying each phase will be reviewed weekly.
Despite the roadmap, many Aucklanders are still confused about what is and isn't allowed.
"It's a pretty blunt instrument at the moment, but I'm sure we'll all figure it out," one person says.
"I do think there are a lot of people who do think it's confusing and don't really get it," another adds.
To clarify, there are only two changes from Tuesday at 11:59pm: your bubble can meet up with another one - but only up to 10 people - and only outside, and daycares can open up only for bubbles up to 10.
Experts say this will definitely lead to more cases.
"The gatherings of only 10 people will help stop super-spreading events but we are expecting a steady rise in cases," COVID-19 modeller Shaun Hendy says.
"We're in a bit of trouble here. We need to get the vaccine out as quickly as possible," adds immunologist Graham Le Gros.
So far, 2,059,285 people have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and 3,343,447 have received one. This means 49 percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated and 79 percent are partially vaccinated.
The latest data for vaccine rates for Auckland, which is accurate as of last Wednesday, show that 60 percent of Māori have one jab and less than 40 percent have two. For Pasifika, the numbers are very similar.
Both groups are well behind Pākehā who have hit 83 percent for their first dose and 46 percent for their second.
But for those playing catch up, it's certainly not for a lack of effort or star turnout.
"It's about thinking about your friends and your families, and if not for you then think about how we protect each other," says former All Black Kevin Mealamu.
For Aucklanders Shacquana McIlroy and Xavier Nu-u, getting their vaccines has been the hardest step since COVID's spread.
"We were uncertain about it, but our whole family wants us to get it - that's the main reason," says McIlroy.
They'd been holding out getting vaccinated, but it was the risk to their two children that in the end made the difference.
"Just heard news of the newborn with COVID, and seeing my young kids as well, so that definitely pushed me to get it today," Nu-u says.
But they both say doing the hard yards has a big payoff.
"I'd say go get it - you just feel safer in the end," McIlroy says.
"Just get it done - it's for your family," Nu-u says.
