Updated May 14, 2020 - World

In photos: Midnight race for a haircut as New Zealand gets back to business

Rebecca Falconer

A cafe and barbers shop in the Auckland suburb of Birkenhead open at 1 minute past midnight after New Zealand moved into lockdown level 2 — A cafe and barbers shop in the Auckland suburb of Birkenhead open at 1 minute past midnight on Thursday after New Zealand moved into lockdown level 2. Retailers and restaurants have also reopened. All photos: Rebecca Falconer/Axios

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Lines formed outside three different barbers and a cafe in the Auckland suburb of Birkenhead at 12:01 a.m. Thursday local time for a haircut and a late-night bite as the country relaxed some of the world's toughest restrictions.

The big picture: New Zealand is reopening for business this month with no coronavirus community spread. Barber Karl Hurcombe said it was "nerve-wracking" not knowing when he'd reopen as he has a bank loan and a mortgage. He had to organize rent relief. But like many Kiwis Axios spoke with, he cherished the lockdown time with his family, going for walks on warm, sunny days. "Part of me was like I've got myself in a bit of a laid-back rut now!" he joked.

The Barber Shop company is still busy at 1 a.m. — The Barber Shop Company is still busy at 1 a.m. New Zealand has confirmed just over 1,100 coronavirus infections and has reported weeks of single-digit or zero cases.

Dutch Delight cafe owner Willem & Heidi van der Velden lines up coffees — Dutch Delight cafe owner Willem van der Velden with Birkenhead Village Town Centre Association town center manager Kae Condon, who organized the unusual reopening after local Scott Cordes asked her if any barbers would be open before he had to return to work at 9am on Thursday. Van der Velden said he thought it'd be fun to reopen with the barbers next door.

People wait for their haircut — Graham Wallace, Jonathan Sharrock and Cordes, who explained: "We wanted to help the community, and the boys here are all looking to go to work ... and looking sharp like Elvis and at the moment, we're not looking sharp like Elvis, but at 1 o'clock we will be!"

Sisters went to the cafe in their pyjamas — When Ishita Jadia's partner decided to drive roughly 9 miles from the outer Auckland suburb of Albany for a haircut in Birkenhead, she and her sister Megha Jadia decided to go with him still wearing their pyjamas and were excited to grab a quick bite at the cafe.

People must sign a register — Condon, with trainee barber Caleb John, signs B & M Barbers' register that helps NZ keep on top of contact-tracing. John was about two months into his course when lockdown happened, but he appreciated spending more time with his pregnant wife.

Barber Karl Hurcombe — Hurcombe, who got Cordes' hair "looking sharp" said he managed to watch all 25 of the James Bond movies during lockdown.

Mother and son go to the barbers — Maria Tyrrell and her son Heath Tyrell celebrated him just turning 13 by going to the barbers. "And because his father gave him the most awful cut in the world, so we're desperate to get it tidied up," she said. "He looks like Kim Jong-il!"

Go deeper: Australia and New Zealand reopen after coronavirus cases plummet