Teddy bear in a store window, Brooklyn, Wellington, when New Zealand was at Covid-19 Alert Level 4

This photograph shows an empty store in Brooklyn, Wellington, with a teddy bear sitting in one window and the phone number for a ‘Covid Neighbours Text Chain’ painted on the other window. The photograph was taken when New Zealand was in lockdown at Covid-19 Alert Level 4 (11.59pm on 25 March to 11.59pm on 27 April 2020). At that time anyone who was not an essential worker had to stay home in their 'bubble' to prevent community transmission of the virus.

Many people put teddy bears in their windows during the lockdown so that when children were walking around the neighbourhood they would have something fun to look for. The trend started in London and was inspired by the children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. It was taken up around the world. 

Reference:
Tokalau, Torika. 2020. ‘Coronavirus: New Zealanders start teddy bear hunt for kids during Covid-19 lockdown.’ Stuff, March 24. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120513315/coronavirus-new-zealanders-start-teddy-bear-hunt-for-kids-during-covid19-lockdown