While many say there’s still a long way to go before they return to pre-pandemic prosperity, moving to the Orange Covid setting, coupled with holiday goers and shoppers bringing life back to the streets over Easter has given businesses a boost.
In Christchurch, Central City Business Association chair Annabel Turley said it was noticeable that more people felt comfortable going into the city since restrictions eased last week, and Saturday was “nice and busy” in particular.
Canterbury president of Hospitality New Zealand Peter Morrison said it was a “pity” local businesses could not trade as usual on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It was something he was working with the city council to hopefully change, he said.
Suburban areas were already doing well because people had not been travelling into the city, but he saw that start to turn around this weekend.
Queenstown Lakes mayor Jim Boult the combination of great weather, easing Covid restrictions, start of the school holidays, and the district's allowance of Easter trading made for a busy weekend in his district.
“We've had the busiest period I think we've had since pre-Covid.”
He noted one good weekend would not fix the challenges the district had faced since the pandemic began though.
