Here’s the lowdown, straight from the workshop: auto repairs are considered essential in New Zealand, and that includes right here at Grimmer Motors in Hamilton. Even when lockdowns like Level 4 hit, we can stay open for urgent repairs if you’re an essential worker. Then, at Level 3, anyone can book in for work, as long as we keep things contactless. We’re still all about keeping you and our team safe, so jump over here if you want the nitty gritty on our Covid precautions.
Now, you might’ve seen the government’s Covid alert levels kicking around since March 2020, from Level 1 all the way up to 4. Basically, the higher the alert level, the tighter the rules. When the country goes Level 4, most businesses have to shut the doors, unless they’re doing something essential. Think supermarkets, pharmacies, or, in our case, getting your car back on the road if it’s crucial to your life or work. Find out more from the government’s official page here if you want the official spiel.
Which businesses are non-essential during Level 4?
So what counts as non-essential? Stuff like movie theatres, gyms, casinos, salons, pools, and shopping malls get the day off. If you’re needing a trim, a night at the pokies, or a dip at Waterworld – that’ll have to wait. But when the family Toyota Corolla won’t start, or your hybrid Honda Jazz has thrown a warning light, we’re open for those must-do jobs.
Can mechanics actually work during lockdowns?
Yep, we sure can – with a few tweaks. At Level 2, it’s business as usual (bar a bit of extra cleaning). At Level 3 it’s all contactless, so no hanging out in the waiting room, but still getting repairs sorted. Level 4 is only for urgent or essential jobs – like if you need your Mazda Demio running to get to your job at the Waikato Hospital, or dropping supplies to your mum in Ngaruawahia, or keeping your work van on the road for jobs around Te Awamutu and Cambridge.
Why is car repair essential in NZ?
We get it – Hamilton traffic’s a mixed bag, and you never know when a pothole on Wairere Drive or a speed bump down Peachgrove Rd will throw your alignment out. We see it all: women popping in with a rattly Suzuki Swift, tradies dropping off Nissan Navaras after a long week up and down SH1, families from Morrinsville worried about dodgy brakes before winter rolls around. Cars aren’t a luxury here, they’re a lifeline – for groceries, work, medical appointments, the lot. When your car’s off the road, it makes daily life way harder, especially with our stop-start traffic, wet winters, and bone-dry summers messing with batteries and tyres alike.
Whether it’s a check engine light on a VW Golf, a hybrid battery issue in a Nissan Leaf, or a WOF fail on a late-model Kia Sportage, our techs have seen it all. And when someone books in for an urgent repair, we treat that as top priority – help you keep safe on the roads, get your errands sorted, and see you right for another year of NZ driving conditions.
Need a hand with your car?
Whatever’s up with your car – diagnostics, repairs, WOFs, hybrid faults – we’re here. At Grimmer Motors, we’re on call for essential workers if it comes to that, and fully open for everyone (safely!) when we’re allowed. Want to know more about how we keep things safe and contactless? Check our info here.
If you need car service Hamilton wide, just keen to book your car in, or have a question about whether your repair is “essential,” have a yarn with us. We’re always happy to chat and help you work it out.