Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern endorses popular teddy bear hunt during coronavirus lockdown
Wednesday, 25 March 2020
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says people in her Wellington neighbourhood may just spot a teddy bear in her window.
In her daily update to the nation on Wednesday, Ardern said she supported the social-distanced teddy bear hunt.
The teddy bear hunt began on Monday after news broke that New Zealand would go into lockdown at 11.59pm on Wednesday.
The fun idea started on Facebook from London, inspired by the Michael Rosen children's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
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The teddy bear hunt trend has caught on in suburbs in Auckland, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin.
People are encouraged to prop a teddy bear from a window of their home, visible from the road.
The fun initiative was aimed at brightening little spirits when they go for walks with their families around their neighbourhood.
New Zealanders have been told to remain home during the nationwide lockdown, but solitary exercise and visits to essential services were allowed.
People can also take children or dogs to a park or field for walks, as long as they maintain social distancing with others outside of their self-isolation groups
Ardern said they accept people would go for a walk and take their children outside to get some fresh air.
'They might look for teddy bears in windows but as they pass people, keep your distance, don't talk to others, just stay within your bubble,' Ardern said.
'And if you're in Wellington and you're walking in a local neighbourhood, you might see one in my window.'
Deb Hoffman started the We're Not Scared - NZ Bear Hunt page on Facebook and created a map where people can enter their addresses so scavenger hunters can easily spot teddies in their own communities.
She said the teddy bear hunt helped people reset while outside on a walk, and put smiles on their faces.
'It's a great way for communities to come up with something positive and still connect with each other,' Hoffman said.
Other communities have created their own Facebook page for the teddy bear scavenger hunts and bears are popping up by windows all over the country.
Aleshia Rough from Weymouth in south Auckland said her whole neighbourhood was taking part.
'It's a pretty stressful time at the moment and the kids pick up on that energy, so to do something exciting like turn the neighbourhood into a teddy bear hunt is exciting for them,' Rough said.