With the green light for double-bubble outdoor gatherings, Aucklanders are getting ready to fire up their barbeques and pack picnic hampers for their first weekend meet-ups in a long time.
Photo: 123rf.com
Since Wednesday, the government has allowed up to 10 people from two bubbles to meet up outdoors with level 3 social distancing rules in place.
People can do non-contact sports or exercise classes with 10 different bubbles and playgrounds are open.
And the hospitality sector is poised to provide more weekend takeaways.
It's not a licence to party, or to mingle, but many Aucklanders RNZ spoke to in Mt Roskill are planning to make the most of another inch of freedom.
"I'll just have some time with family members, we're going to enjoy our time and rejoice that we can be together," Philip Manase said.
"Depending on the weather I'll probably have one of my family members over. There will be two bubbles now that this government has said we can have two bubbles then go somewhere else in the evening and catch up with the rest," Frank Harris said.
For some, takeaways will be on the outdoor picnic menu.
Picnic Box has been in the business of selling hampers and meals for outdoor dining for a decade, which are packed by people with disabilities through the Attitude Trust.
Owner Diane Stanbra said it shuts down during lockdowns but after the prime minister's announcement that picnics could resume, they are taking orders for next week.
"The phone started ringing again, it was very exciting and clearly it would have been good to have had a heads up then we could've been a bit more organised. We were completely taken by surprise but we're frantically getting busy to be able to back picnics again which is all we do."
She said double-bubbles make up some of the orders.
"We're having people that are just catching up or it's a birthday and they want to go on a picnic. But equally the most exciting is our calls from companies who are looking to do that surprise and delight for their staff."
As for what's in store for the weather, it's best to consult the experts.
MetService meteorologist Tui McInnes said the forecast is for fine weather on both Saturday and Sunday.
"For most of New Zealand it's a reasonably fine weekend especially for Spring, more notable because it's going to be in between a wet period. This weekend's shaping up to be really nice."
So what does he rate the weekend's weather for picnics out of 10?
"For Spring and given everything that's been happening in the last month I'd say a solid six."
Those heading outdoors can forget the umbrella but not their jackets - thanks to a cool southwester.