Weekly cheer: Takeaway life hacks and cute critters as Auckland anticipates level 3

10:11 am on 20 September 2021

As Aucklanders anxiously anticipate a drop in lockdown levels, it's time for a few cheerful distractions as we wait for the next announcement.

Bianka Atlas and René Burton's cat Kedi has gained her pilot's licence during alert level four. Photo: Supplied

We've ended the week with 44 new cases in Tāmaki Makarau reported over the weekend, with a push for New Zealanders to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Tomorrow at 4pm, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will announce whether Auckland will move to level 3.

In the meantime, here's how social media users got through the fourth week of alert level four.

We'll start off with a useful 'life hack' for those of us who are missing takeaways.

And one further hint from us - picking up a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket also feels like getting takeways. Sort of.

With online shopping the only option for Aucklanders, author Chloe Lane found herself getting a little too excited over a bag of rubbish.

Got excited when I saw what I thought was a package outside the front door. It was just the trash I’d failed to walk to the bin an hour ago.
— Chloe Lane (@cv_lane) September 17, 2021

Beloved broadcaster Hilary Barry kept her lockdown trend of formal Friday's going with this interesting contribution.

No one can expect too much of you right now. Just do your best. #lockdownweek5 #formalfriday #paraireōkawa #TeWikiOTeReoMāori pic.twitter.com/oOTNtPjPZz
— Hilary Barry (@Hilary_Barry) September 16, 2021

RNZ's Robert Smith summed up the lockdown mood with some help from his daughter.

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A post shared by Robert Smith (@robertsmith5619)

And during this time of trial, there's nothing like a few funny animals to cheer us up.

Bianka Atlas and dedicated cat Dad René Burton sent us some pictures of their beautiful cat Kedi. Kedi has used her time during this level 4 lockdown most productively … and got her pilot's licence!! She's now working on getting her flying hours up.

Kedi the cat has earned her pilot's licence. Photo: Supplied

Here's more of our favourite critters from the last week.

Pitch invader..

Story: https://t.co/Di901703hB pic.twitter.com/kezDzzgeKL
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden_) September 11, 2021

Well this may be the craziest thing I’ve seen at a college football game #HardRockCat pic.twitter.com/qfQgma23Xm
— Hollywood (@DannyWQAM) September 11, 2021