Boaties are obeying alert level 3 lockdown rules in Auckland, unlike under the previous nationwide lockdown.
Great Barrier Island Photo: cloudia/123RF
During the nationwide level 4 Covid-19 lockdown, boaties were venturing out to Great Barrier Island from Auckland in large numbers.
Great Barrier local Tom Daly said there was a large influx of people back then, but this time boaties are sticking to the rules.
"I think a lot was learnt from our first lockdown situation and it is certainly a lot quieter in terms of traffic to and from the Barrier and that sort of frantic episode that we had the first time around.
"So I think everyone's taken the lessons from the first lockdown and staying put this time which is really good."
He said the waters around the island have been relatively empty.
Daly said he had spoken with the person who runs the marine radio for Great Barrier who said there had been no traffic whatsoever.
He said it is still early in the lockdown, but clear messages are being sent to boaties that they cannot come to Great Barrier Island unless they actually live there.
Daly said during the previous lockdown when boaties came out to Great Barrier they were visited by authorities and told they had them they had to go home.
"I think we all sort of thought it was going to be a bit of an extended holiday that first time around, but this time not so much."
He said Great Barrier Island's emergency response team learnt a lot during the first lockdown.
"And the messaging has gone out very clear and direct for people trying to travel to and from the island."
As soon as the Auckland region went to alert level 3 people were told that if they were not permanent island residents they had to leave the island. Any permanent island residents who were in the Auckland region had to return home straight away, he said.
Daly said any boats that do turn up at Great Barrier will be visited by the coastguard in conjunction with the police force on the water to ensure people are following the rules and if they are not they will be turned around.
