It's been two long months since Auckland was last at COVID level 1 but the long wait for nightlife is finally over.
The last time the city came out of hibernation there was a spike in alcohol-related crime. And police are on patrol as they try to avoid the same thing happening again.
It's just after 9pm on Friday and police at Auckland's central district are prepping for the long night ahead.
Last time Auckland dropped down through the levels police saw alcohol-fuelled violence increase by 20 percent.
Senior Sergeant Marty Brown says a visible police presence acts as the best deterrent for crime.
Just 15 minutes into the shift came an arrest. Police were speaking to a man for breaching the city's liquor ban when a hunting knife fell out of his vest.
"The male concerned says he has it for pig hunting. Clearly this isn't a pig hunting zone in town," Snr Sgt Brown says.
The number of people arrested kept rising.
"Within 30-40 metres of where we're standing we've had three arrests here tonight and this is early stages of the night," Snr Sgt Brown says.
In clubs, the drinks were pouring and, with no limits on gathering sizes, they were packed.
Police are prepared for the chaos and the carnage. The message is be sensible, look out for your mates and stay safe.
But not everyone got the message. There were drugs - a small amount which Snr Sgt Brown says will probably lead to a warning letter.
And when a good talking too wasn't enough, alcohol was confiscated and poured down the drain.
On the whole police say people were well behaved. They're taking the encouragement approach this weekend - hoping this time round, level 1 doesn't escalate into violence like it did the last time.
