Whanau day about ‘reminding families to have fun’

Taranaki families flocked to a good old fashioned fun day yesterday but there was a serious message to be learned.

The Waitara Whanau fun day was held between 10am and 3pm at Clifton Park and attracted hundreds of people from around the region. The event was organised by the town’s Are you OK champions and is part of the It’s Not OK family violence programme.

The activities included sack races, three-legged races, egg and spoon races, pony rides, lolly scrambles, a gumboot throwing competition, obstacle courses and displays by local police and firefighters.

Anti family violence campaigner Vic Tamati was also on hand to speak to the public and in private to anyone wanting to change their ways or seek help.

Ashlee Murphy, 10, was enjoying sacking racing with her sister Tekaapuarangi, 7, and said it was something they could also do at home. ‘‘It was cool and amazing, I will always win,’’ she said.

Eight-year-old Sarah Kupe was enjoying being outside with her mum Tasha.

‘‘It’s quite exciting, I’ve done the obstacle course,’’ she said.

Organiser Joe Rauner said he hoped the fun activities and prizes would help raise awareness that family violence wasn’t OK.

‘‘We believe if the kids go home with something then the next one will be bigger and better,’’ Rauner said. He said there were families from as far away as Eltham at the event.

Katy Wilson, co-ordinator of Taranaki Safe Families Trust, said the main aim was to bring families together to have fun in the fresh air without alcohol or video games.

‘‘It’s about reminding people how to have fun as a family.’’

Wilson said there was also an opportunity for anyone who wanted help to meet the local champions who worked as a listening ear for anyone looking for support. ‘‘When someone needs to, then they are a person to go to in the community.’’

Tamati said family violence was not an easy subject to talk about so he was available in a quite area away from the activities.

‘‘It’s all about making it OK to ask for help,’’ Tamati, who grew up thinking violence was normal after his parents told him they hit him because they loved him, said.

He had been able to free himself from the destructive cycle of family violence and wanted to challenge other men to do the same.

‘‘I know how hard it is for men to jump that big chasm, but it’s a better life, your kids actually run up and hug you rather than cowering in the corner.’’