Waikato moves to step 2 of alert level 3 on Tuesday but Aucklanders have to live with their current Covid-19 restrictions for at least eight more days.
It means shops, museums and libraries can reopen with mask-wearing and social distancing, and the outdoor gathering limit will be increased to 25.
Waikato's district mayor is over the moon about it the move.
Allan Sanson said the announcement is the boost people need, because compliance levels are starting to drop.
Sanson says the decision will mean the world to retail businesses, especially leading up to Christmas.
Hamilton's Chamber of Commerce chief executive Don Good spoke to Susie Ferguson.
