Covid 19 coronavirus: Mahia community fuming as travellers arrive at hotspot, mayor says

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said he understood the Mahia community was starting to become frustrated by outsider arrivals. Photo / File

Don't even think about a trip to the bach in Mahia this Easter, as fuming locals plead with travellers to stop putting their piece of paradise at risk.

Hawke's Bay's leaders, police, and even our weather gods have sent a message to those who might normally visit the beachy hotspot this Easter: stay home.

Easter's weather is set to be changeable at best, with a stormy front likely to hit the region on Easter Monday.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said he understood the Mahia community was starting to become frustrated by outsider arrivals and people needed to "just stay in your bubble and you won't have any trouble".

He said people travelling to holiday homes were "totally irresponsible".

"I'm not sure why these people think they can do that when they've been told they can't do it, all they're doing is putting our community at risk."

Police are also warning people against travelling over the Easter period during the Covid-19 lockdown and say checkpoints will be in place.

"Even though it's traditionally a holiday season, this year it's not," Inspector Dean Clifford said.

"We want to discourage people moving from their home address and thinking that it is a chance to head away out of town for whatever purpose."

There will be an increased police presence on roads and checkpoints asking road users about their travel purposes on arterial routes.

"We want to encourage people to stay home and avoid that non-essential travel," Clifford said.

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said: "As much as we'd all like to get out and about and enjoy the long weekend, we need to stick to the rules."

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst suggested continuing to connect with friends and family through phone or online methods.

"This means not venturing beyond our immediate neighbourhood to grab a breath of fresh air; continuing to connect with whānau, friends and neighbours by phone or online; and showing patience and kindness to those that are continuing to leave their families day in and day out to provide essential services," she said.

Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker said sticking to the rules over the long weekend will benefit everyone.

"We don't know how long we're going to be in alert level 4, but we do know if we break the rules now, we are likely to be living in our bubbles for longer.

"So let's continue to do our job well and stay home to save lives."

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While travelling is not an option, the Prime Minister deemed the Easter Bunny an essential service on Monday but noted the bunny may not be able to visit all households this year.

Jacinda Ardern suggested creating or drawing an Easter egg that people could put in their window so local children could go on an Easter egg hunt.

She later posted a template online for people to colour in.

A local Easter egg hunt will be possible in Hawke's Bay until Monday.

Good Friday will be mainly fine with some cloud in the region and southwesterlies will be easing.

Napier will have a high of 20C, Hastings 19C and Wairoa will have some isolated showers with a high of 17C.

Easter Saturday is set to be fine with light winds across Hawke's Bay, but northerlies will strengthen on Easter Sunday.

Periods of rain arrive on Easter Monday - heavy rainfall is possible in the ranges and northwesterlies may be strong in exposed places.

It'll be warm still - with temperatures in the early 20s.

• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory website