Spotted while cafe writing and roaming in small city Aotearoa #newzealand

A woman (80s?) excitedly talking to a friend. "Did I tell you my granddaughter's doing burlesque now? I'm biased but I think she'll be the most wonderful pole vaulter."
Her friend laughs. "Don't you mean pole DANCER?"

A man (20s?) in office clothes with a hoodie over the top. There's a print on it that says "You are more loved than you will ever know." He's ambling along in the sun, eating a pie with all signs of enjoyment, tomato sauce on his fingers.

A waitress in a cafe smiling quietly to herself as she spoons the batter for muffins into a tray. The place is packed, people are talking excitedly but she appears lost in concentration. Muffins are where it's at.

Three men (late teens) strutting along, channeling a 70s rock band. One has majestic Robert Plant hair circa 1970s that shines in the sunlight. There's double denim, there's a black satin shirt with frills. There's enough machismo to fuel an Italian football team. They're going to Kmart.

A small human (2?) waddling through a cafe. He's been given a chocolate chip cookie and he's offering everyone a bite. Numerous strangers are saying "Thank you!" and feigning taking a bite with generous "Num num num" noises. Small human is a benevolent prince in his cookie kingdom. All is well.

Any typos spotted in this post are missioning to offer everyone a cookie. If spotted please feign eating one for fear of hurting their feelings. Num num num.

Spotted in a bustling cafe in small city Aotearoa #newzealand

A Kiwi man (80s) with a Gandalf-like walking staff shepherding his normally vivacious American wife in. Today she's silent: "Just sit there doll and I'll get you a coffee. And a biscuit. I'll be right back. I'm here. Don't worry.

A man (20s) in line for coffee, muffling a yawn. If you look down you'll see that he's wearing mismatched stripey and Simpsons socks. His suit pants have accidentally been tucked into one.

A barista (20s) from the US in a yellow T-shirt. A woman (60s) walks in and asks: How're you doin?
He shakes his head.
Later, She returns with a peanut butter and jam sandwich as a cheer up gift. His eyes tear up.

A teenager showing the owner a copy of a recent exam paper. She proudly says: It wasn't that hard really but the one in two weeks time is gonna be!
He asks what she'd like to eat and then stops: Hey, why don't I make you something special?

A small human (4?) carefully watching their gran pour a cup of tea from a pot. He's speaking in an earnest, helpful litany: "When Mum pours her tea, she holds the lid so it doesn't fall. I think you should hold the lid. Would you like me to hold the lid for you?" Grandma holds the lid.

Any typos spotted in this thread are escapees from the inexorable tyranny of reality. If spotted please give them a cup of tea. And maybe a biscuit. And maybe a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a china plate to be sure. And hold the lid when you pour the tea.

Welp.

In response to my question about vaccine availability for Kiwis, NZ Ministry of Health publicly stated that Pfizer hadn't applied to Medsafe for updated booster approval, but this was not true. Records show Pfizer applied in June.

Adding the chain of Eric Crampton's responses to my questions about NZ vaccine access (Chief Economist at the NZ Initiative). He explains how to apply pressure.

For those interested, I asked Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora about updated covid vaccine access for New Zealand. This is MIH's response.