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There was occasional tension, relief, and confusion as motorists at a police checkpoint near the Auckland-Waikato border told their stories and hoped he would be let through.
One of those who told him to stop and wait near Maramarua on Easter Friday was Jake from Pukekohe.
He said that after spending two weeks living in his car, he wanted to stay with his father in Paeroa.
“I’ve been homeless. WINZ has done nothing for me,” said Jake, who was twice warned about driving during the Covid-19 lockdown, and was now wondering if he was on his “third attack.”
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Jake previously said that a police officer told him, “I wouldn’t be driving much, buddy.”
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
A person displays an airline electronic ticket on their phone to demonstrate that they were heading to the airport.
He said the police asked to speak to his father and was making some calls.
“I have worked most of my adult life. Everyone else is sailing. Now I don’t know what to do.”
Jake wondered if the police at the checkpoint were maintaining physical distance patterns.
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
Jake had a tumultuous moment at the checkpoint, but his latest blocking experience hit an optimistic note.
Roberta Silva was parked behind Jake.
“There is a high probability that they will turn you around,” a police officer told Silva, who approached from Auckland and expected to see his partner Zak in Tauranga.
Silva said that she and her partner were “really fighting” with each other.
The police officer said it was difficult for people who wanted to see their loved ones, and that he would speak to the sergeant to verify it.
A man with a silver Nissan Skyline was allowed to pass after telling police, “I am handing things over to my nanny who is over 70 years old.”
Across the road, Jake was smiling after his frustrating earlier moments.
“I take back everything I said. They’re looking for a place for me in Greenlane. Go to New Zealand.”
He said Things The police were organizing a motel room for him, and he was greatly relieved.
An Inghams hen truck was passed while Silva was still waiting anxiously.
A woman who stopped on the other side of the road said she was going to the airport and pointed to a passenger in the back seat. She was let through.
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
The strange wheel made this driver recognizable to the police at the checkpoint.
Another motorist on his way to the airport showed police a photo of a plane ticket to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A low-driving local resident was allowed in, thanks in part to a distinctive left rear wheel that protruded from the other wheels.
“Yes, I saw her yesterday, I recognize the spare wheel,” said a female police officer.
Silva waited in her car while the police officer speaking to her a few moments earlier returned.
“I just learned something new,” the officer told Silva.
ALDEN WILLIAMS / THINGS
An officer greets an obedient motorist at the Amberley checkpoint, North Canterbury, on Friday.
As long as Silva was in a bubble of one, and his partner was in his own bubble of one, they could be together.
“Your wishes have come true,” the officer told Silva.
“I have all my things and work clothes, so I will work from home,” said a relieved Silva. Things.
“Oh my gosh. I’m happy to be able to drive.”
ALDEN WILLIAMS / THINGS
A sign on State Highway 1 outside Christchurch that reminds people to stay home for Easter.
CANTERBURY CHECKPOINT
In Canterbury, police established a checkpoint in Amberley, north of Christchurch, to check for people driving to popular vacation spots on Good Friday.
During a typical Easter weekend, Amberley will see “large numbers” of people passing by on vacation, rural commander Inspector Peter Cooper said.
However, very few vehicles passed on Friday, with approximately 15-20 checked in the first 30 minutes.
Only one vehicle turned at the checkpoint on its way to Christchurch.
A man who claimed he was going to an Indian supermarket, which was closed on Good Friday, was “polite” and the police asked him to return home.
Overall, Cooper said the public in and around Canterbury had been performing well, and thanked them for staying home.
Cooper said it was a very small minority that spoiled it for the rest, with “99 percent” following the rules.
ALDEN WILLIAMS / THINGS
An essential worker shows her paperwork to an officer at a Canterbury checkpoint on Friday.
‘IT’S NEW FOR ALL OF US’
Sergeant Mark Fleming at the Maramarua checkpoint said some motorists have pushed the limits of what could be described as an essential trip.
Travel between cities to visit specialty food stores were some of the reasons some motorists offered.
Fleming said the police tried to help people whenever possible by contacting other agencies, such as the housing organization for people living in cars.
“It is new to all of us. We are learning as we go.”
Fleming, an officer in charge of the Manukau County Highway Patrol, said multiple checkpoints were established in and around Maramarua.
People who turned and tried to take a roundabout to their destination would be arrested again.
Fleming said it was important for the police to educate the public and avoid a harsh approach, but that repeat offenders would be punished.
Some checkpoints led to arrests when the detainees were found to be disqualified drivers or to have committed other driving offenses.
It was crucial that drivers stay focused when they were on quiet roads, as the distraction could be deadly and accidents would put another burden on the health system, Fleming said.
“For the most part, the public greatly appreciates what we are all trying to do.”
