Covid 19 coronavirus: Jacinda Ardern's 'special brown ted' taking part in nationwide hunt

NZ Herald

26 Mar, 2020 06:36 AM2 mins to read

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's 'special brown ted' has taken part in the nationwide teddy bear hunt during the lockdown. Photo / Clarke Gayford

Sign up to our daily Covid-19 newsletter for essential advice and a full summary of the day's news and developments. Register or sign in here and select Top News Stories.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's 'special brown ted' is taken part in the nationwide teddy bear hunt during the lockdown.

New Zealand children in lockdown will be able to partake in a nationwide bear hunt, all while keeping within the rules for alert level 4.

Kiwi woman Debby Hoffman created the page 'We're Not Scared' - NZ Bear Hunt in a bid to get children to look out for bears in their community while they are getting exercise with their parent or guardian.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's 'special brown ted' has taken part in the nationwide teddy bear hunt during the lockdown. Photo / Clarke Gayford

People across the country are being asked to place a teddy bear in their window and put a pin on the site's map so children can take part in a safe game while at a distance.

Today, Ardern's fiance Clarke Gayford shared a video on Instagram showing Kiwis that their family was taking part of the fun activity as a panda and brown bear sat on their window sill.

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

"For the eagle-eyed teddy hunters, including Neve's mum's special brown ted," the video was captioned.

In a press conference yesterday, Ardern said Kiwis are welcome to take children for walks in the neighbourhood for fresh air and suggested they try to spot teddy bears on the windows.

"They might look for teddy bears in windows but as they pass people, keep your distance, don't talk to others, just stay within your bubble," she said.

"And if you're in Wellington and you're walking in a local neighbourhood, you might see one in my window."

New Zealanders are being asked to stay home and keep their outings for absolutely essential things, like the supermarket, pharmacy, walking the dog or a walk for fresh air - and only by themselves or with people they are self-isolating with.