It's nearly three weeks since the Australian travel bubble opened, but many small tourist towns say they haven't noticed a difference when it comes to tourism or local spending.
One of those places is Kaikoura on the east coast of the South Island. The area is renowned for its whale watching, surfing, and fishing. While it's usually bulging with international tourists, it is now in survival mode - described in no uncertain terms by the town's mayor.
"Am I allowed to say 'really shit' on TV?" Kaikoura Mayor Craig Mackle says.
Jokes aside, the town is hurting and many businesses have had to close their doors.
"I've seen people hanging on and I've seen ones that couldn't hang on any longer. People have had to leave town," Mackle says.
The mayor says spending in the town is $30 million down for the past 12 months.
Michelin-trained chef Rob Cullen has worked all over the world and moved his wife Rosie and five children back to Kaikoura for a better life. They opened the region's only degustation restaurant, the old Kaikoura Winery, but three weeks ago was forced to shut for good.
They still run a deli which is also struggling, and like many small business owners there, COVID-19 has shattered their dream.
"We put so much into it because we're here for the long term," Rosie says.
"I think we did as much as we possibly could," Rob adds.
All businesses in Kaikoura are trying their hardest. Penny Betts has had her shop for 22 years - she's lost more than 60 percent in takings.
"It's quiet, really quiet. I'm worried about what this winter will bring, and I've cut my shop hours back to four days a week, not employing anyone else," says Betts, founder of Gecko Gearz.
Even though the pharmacy still has its core prescription business, takings are still down 30 percent.
"The last financial year was probably the worst financial year result we will have ever had," says Dave McKee, owner of Kaikoura Pharmacy.
"It's been very hard on quite a few people."
The trans-Tasman travel bubble certainly hasn't provided a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
The road that was meant to draw the rest of the world closer is now complete, but so far what businesses are feeling most is the disappearance of the 300 people who built it and their pockets full of change.
Last winter was okay for Kaikoura with far more domestic travellers going through, but this winter may be different. The Government has recognised Kaikoura in its latest recovery stimulus package but it may not be enough for some remaining businesses.
But this is a town that's survived a real-life rollercoaster and some will hold their grip for this ride too.
"You just build resilience after the earthquake and go, right, what do we do now," Betts says.
Rosie Cullen adds they appreciate all the support, but they need just a little bit more.
Because while the lights aren't out in Kaikoura yet, they've certainly dimmed.
