Auckland and Waikato students have returned to the classroom on Wednesday as schools reopen their gates.
Students at Huapai District School were welcomed back with a gift, as the community organised medals for their return.
"Just saying 'hey, well done, you survived, here's a medal, we're really proud of you,'" says principal John Petrie.
The school chose to reopen full-time, with protocols in place to manage the number of students and their wellbeing.
"Children are starting and finishing the day at the same time, but at breaks and lunchtimes, we're staggering that," Petrie explains.
"We are giving parents choices as well. If they feel their child just needs a break, they can collect them and take them home early."
Masks aside, kids at Huapai District School seem to have jumped straight back into the routine of school life.
"We're seeing the kids come back, relationships, kids are playing," Petrie says. "It almost feels like we're back in the groove again, it's been lovely."
While a quarter of Huapai students were absent, at Weymouth Primary in Manurewa, just a third have returned.
"I don't know if I was surprised," principal Saane Faaofo-Oldehaver says.
"Nobody knows what this is like. Some parents are still a bit anxious and nervous about sending their children back.
"And there are no penalties for not sending your children back, so they're quite happy to continue doing their learning from home."
She says in the morning, students were quiet as they adjusted to life outside their bubble, but by the end of the day, students Newshub spoke to were ecstatic to have reunited with friends and teachers.
"It was really good," says Raysha, who was most looking forward to seeing her friends again.
"I've been waiting for this day for such a long time."
Year 3 student Spencer said "it was really cool, I really missed them", while Patricia, whose two sons attend Weymouth, said "it was awesome, we got up bright and early, my boys have been missing their teachers and friends".
The school is managing students by staggering what time they leave at the end of the day. Faaofo-Oldehaver expects at least another 45 students to return by the end of the week.
"We're just trying to convince them we've got as many measures in place to make sure we're as safe as we can possibly be for the return of all of our children," Faaofo-Oldehaver says.
The Auckland Primary Principals' Association (APPA) expects more kids to come back, once parents see how things play out.
"My message for parents is, look to your school," APPA president Stephen Lethbridge says.
"They have done a lot of work planning and making sure they've got things in place for health and safety reasons in their own place."
Schools in Waikato were also back on Wednesday with many at full capacity as the region returned to level 2.
Berkley Normal Middle School had 93 percent of their students return, which principal Nathan Leith says wouldn't have been as high if Waikato was still at level 3.
"It just goes to show kids just want to be back at school, and parents want their kids back at school as well," he says.
Like many other Waikato principals, the alert level shift caught Leith out by surprise and forced a quick change of plans.
"We're flexible, we made it work, and actually I'd rather be back at school under these conditions where kids can play and meet with their friends and have some normality back in their life," he says.
Level 2 also means hospitality in Waikato can reopen its doors.
"It feels great, really excited to serve some drinks and have a good time," says Mathew Pedley, director of Hamilton bar Last Place.
Pedley opened the venue just eight days before lockdown.
"Getting this venue off the ground has been a very challenging experience from start to finish but we are very excited to finally be there," he says.
And finally get some bums on seats, as things get a little closer to normal.
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