Marion - organics retailer

When you first heard that NZ was moving to Alert Levels 3 & 4, what did you think? How did you feel?

I was shocked, nervous and almost couldn’t believe it. At the same time as moving our largest organic store, I was trying to source face masks for our staff and hand sanitiser. It wasn’t easy. I eventually found a mask supplier in Auckland but couldn’t find hand sanitiser so I bought 60 litres of isopropyl alcohol to make our own. In the week before lockdown my son was testing ‘working from home’ but I hadn’t taken on board the enormity of what was about to happen: that no one would be in our office for four weeks and that as someone over 70 years, I would need to stay home to stay safe.

How has your job or daily routine been affected?

Our stores were busier than ever in the weeks before Level 4. Customers were ‘panic buying’ and our staff became increasingly worried. While managing a general sense of unease we were preparing to keep our stores open.

At the start, I met our leadership team via Zoom every day and then weekly. My role was to liaise with government agencies like MBIE. I spent a lot of time ringing the Covid-19 line and checking the official website for the information we needed.

The first week of Level 4 was chaotic. On Day One we were 10 staff down. Some of our cleaners didn’t realise they needed to turn up. The demand for our home delivery service increased by 1000% so we introduced two shifts (day and night). Also on Day One, the police turned up to one of our stores to question why we were open.

Every day we had to think about different things: some staff were frightened knowing that everyone else except them was in lockdown; others were immune-compromised; and our kitchen staff couldn’t sell freshly-made food over the counter. We had to limit our leadership team’s whereabouts (between stores) to limit the risk of them spreading Covid-19 in the event they got it. 

What have been the best things/hardest things about the lockdown?

It was an amazing experience to watch our extraordinary leadership team and staff respond to the constant changes, logistics and decision-making required at the last minute.

One of the best things was walking our dog every morning and evening while no one else was around. I was really touched by the courtesy shown to me. People looked out for each other more. There were better connections with neighbours. Our PM Jacinda did a magnificent job. Her messages were nurturing and real – which supported the idea that we were all in this together. The social paradigm turned back to how it was when I was young. There was no question that everyone was responsible for everyone. Before Covid-19, there was a sense of everyone for themselves.

Working remotely was easier than I thought because I knew our staff were doing the hard work but I wasn’t used to sitting on my laptop every day in a state of high stress. I didn’t enjoy that and nor did my back!

One of the hardest things was the settlement of our house sale during lockdown. We had everything sorted but we couldn’t donate anything to anyone, there was no recycling service and the landfill was closed.

What have you been thinking about more/less?

Like many people my age, I was aware of how privileged we were to have a secure house and garden. I thought a lot about people who were homeless, who sleep in their cars, who had lost their jobs or businesses. I was relieved to know that many people were supported through the government’s wage subsidy.

What have you missed/not missed?

I missed hugs and my Granny Days with my grandchildren. I usually have an active social life but I didn’t miss it because I was distracted by other things. Lockdown made me think that we are all living crazily busy lives with far too many options and activities, especially for children.

Can you liken lockdown to any other time in your life?

It reminded me of what life was like when I was a child. Everything was simpler. We got bored and found things to do by ourselves.

What have you appreciated during lockdown?

I was grateful to have both of our children and their families living nearby. They did all our shopping and looked after us. When we did see them from a safe distance, it was very special.

What, if anything, do you think might change in the world after Covid-19 is under control or eliminated?

I can imagine two options. One: people rushing back to the way things were as fast as possible which would be a win for authoritarian regimes and result in a loss of people’s privacy, continued inequality and climate change. Or two: countries building in changes to their policies and programmes to make the difference that’s needed. I hope we make the right choice.

In a word or more, how do you imagine describing this time when looking back on it in a year or so?

One of the busiest times in my life. A time of opposites and contrasts. It has been fascinating to see how different leaders and populations have responded to the pandemic. For the first time, we’ve had a global view of something we wouldn’t usually have. Leaving our family home of 34 years at the same time felt like the end of an era.