Message on the window of Capitol restaurant, Kent Terrace, Wellington, when New Zealand was at Covid-19 Alert Level 4

item details

NameMessage on the window of Capitol restaurant, Kent Terrace, Wellington, when New Zealand was at Covid-19 Alert Level 4

ProductionDr Jean-Claude Stahl; photographer; 5 April 2020; New Zealand

Classificationdigital images

Registration NumberCA001237/001/0001

Credit lineAcquired 2020

Overview

This photograph of Wellington restaurant Capitol was taken during the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown when New Zealand was in Alert Level 4 (11.59pm on 25 March to 11.59pm on 27 April 2020). It was one of many scenes captured by Te Papa photographers who took their cameras with them when they went on local walks during lockdown.

Every non-essential business in New Zealand had to close during the lockdown period to help stop the spread of the virus. Many business owners posted messages in their windows as they closed down. This photograph is interesting for its messaging. The positive 'Kia Kaha Wellington' ('Be strong') is tempered by the unknowns of lockdown. Would businesses be vulnerable to crime and theft as their owners stayed safe at home in their 'bubbles'?