Malls and cafes were bustling and Tauranga streets were abuzz again as alert level 1 rolled into town.
New Zealand moved to the lowest Covid-19 alert level at midnight on Monday, removing most restrictions on gatherings.
Sand's Bakery and Cafe manager Jack Lao said he was excited to be able to fill the cafe up once again after so long.
He said business was steady early on Tuesday morning and he was expecting a bit of a rush around 8am as people started heading back to the office.
Located on Cameron Rd, he said they relied heavily on local workers popping in.
Grindz Cafe manager Simran Sarao said their regular customers had come in with big smiles today seeing the place back to normal.
"Everyone is really, really happy. They don't have to sign in or wait in long queues anymore. We are just so happy to be back to normal."
She said they were now able to take big bookings again and also fill their cafe to capacity.
The last few weeks they had needed to turn people away as social distancing meant there was too little room, she said.
"This is going to make such a big difference to our business ... it was a scary time for a while there."
Dry Dock cafe owner Sandra Johnson said things were looking "largely normal" in level 1 and they were "really excited".
She said they still had some concerns, however, as their main customer base was corporate workers and tourists. These were both hindered with people working from home and borders remaining closed.
"We are going to be doing our best that's for sure."
Papamoa Plaza centre manager David Hill said the yellow signs and stickers had been removed and the shopping centre was back to "trading its socks off".
He said respite seating was back and the children's playground had reopened.
"Retail stores are again bustling with locals and the common areas are free from queues. We love it. The buzz has returned."
He said there were still QR codes around the entrances for contact tracing and hand sanitiser supplies, but otherwise, things were pretty well normal.
"Everyone is open to full capacity and adjusting to the bustle as retail returns."
Level 2 restrictions had slowed business a little, but he had been proud of how retailers played their part professionally to keep customers safe, he said.
He said special kudos needed to be given to the cleaners, pharmacy and supermarket workers who worked in the mall the whole way through.
Tauranga Crossing centre manager Andrew Wadsworth said level 1 would see a return to normal, with only a couple of additional measures like QR codes and hygiene practices remaining in place for the foreseeable future.
"We have reopened all community services including our playgrounds and it was lovely to see families enjoying these spaces first thing this morning when we opened."
Bayfair centre manager Steve Ellingford said it had been encouraging to see the number of customers returning to the shopping mall and reinforced their important role in the community.
A worker at Astrolabe Brewbar said they were expecting a pumping Saturday night and were thrilled to be able to have more than 100 people in their garden bar again.
"People can come down and dance, which will be so great. I hated telling people they couldn't."
A Tauranga City Council spokesman said operations had mostly returned to normal with parks and facilities such as the McLaren Falls campground all open again.
"Public barbecues and drinking fountains will be switched back on.
"We ask for your patience as contractors work their way around the city, switching them on and completing any necessary maintenance work," he said.
All libraries will be open and operating at normal pre-Covid hours. Ngā Wāhi Rangihau Research Collections at Willow St Library will return to normal hours from June 15.
Wednesday would be the last day of free parking in the Tauranga city centre, however, and fees would return to normal on Thursday, he said.Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley said level 1 was great news for the business community.
He said, as restrictions now focus on protecting New Zealand's border, many businesses could go back to operating at normal capacity.
"The government has made two good decisions recently. The first decision was widening the criteria so more businesses can get access to the second phase of the staff wage subsidy. The second decision was proceeding to level 1. This will save a large number of local jobs."
Many business owners were seriously worried about how they would continue to operate under level 2 restrictions after the staff wage subsidy ends on June 30, he said.
Grabbing some mums and getting together at a local cafe without having to worry about keeping your distance."
Jen Reus, Welcome Bay Being able to relax again and not having to worry about social distancing rules which were quite stressful.
Heather Orr, 40s, Welcome Bay Having the freedom to socialise with people when I want to and visit the supermarket without being anxious about getting too close.
Angela Cram, 39, Te Puke Just have the freedom to get together will all my friends at the same time and go to movies and bars again. "
Grace Barcot, 22, Brookfield Not having to worry about keeping your distance from other people, But it's still scary, as not everyone has followed the rules.
Dipa Rai, 33, Gate Pa - Additional reporting Sandra Conchie
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