Christmas mission begins
Building work forces early start to giving away of gifts and food parcels
The Auckland City Mission started giving out Christmas presents and food parcels yesterday at sites around the region, rather than its usual venue in the central city.
From Eden Park, to marae in South Auckland, the wider community is getting behind the mission like never before this festive season, the organisation says, but it is still appealing for help “to ensure all children get the Christmas they deserve”.
The mission is operating temporarily in Union St in the CBD while construction work gets under way for its new facility at its Hobson St site.
Auckland City Missioner Chris Farrelly said that had forced some changes to this year’s operation.
“From today we begin distributing our emergency Christmas food parcels and presents — but instead of doing that from Hobson St, thanks to enormous community support we are operating out of Eden Park, the Nga¯ Whare Waatea Marae in Mangere and Papakura Marae.
“We are thankful our clients will no longer have to queue from midnight outside our Hobson St building just to ensure a little Christmas cheer for their families.”
The giving began at Eden Park and Nga¯ Whare Waatea yesterday, and will begin at Papakura Marae tomorrow.
It’s a privilege to be part of this collective effort to share a little extra Christmas spirit with wha¯nau. Wyn Osborne Manukau Urban Ma¯ori Authority
Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner said the stadium was thrilled to be able to play a part in bringing some cheer to families in need.
“To have the opportunity to support a worthy cause like the City Mission this festive season is fitting.”
The Nga¯ Whare Waatea Marae, of the Manukau Urban Ma¯ori Authority (Muma) in Mangere, and Papakura Marae are also working closely with the mission to distribute food parcels, gifts and Work and Income support.
“Muma has a longstanding partnership with the City Mission,” said authority chief executive Wyn Osborne.
“Our goal is and always has been to serve wha¯nau in South Auckland. This is at the core of everything we do. As kaitiaki, or guardian, of our community it’s a privilege to be part of this collective effort to share a little extra Christmas spirit with wha¯nau.”
Papakura Marae chief executive Tony Kake adds, “If our support can bring a cheer to a family or a smile to a child face over this festive season — awesome!”
Farrelly said that over the years people had had to travel at great cost from South Auckland to get the mission’s assistance; now, because of the generosity of two marae, the mission could go to the people.