National Children’s Day celebration, Sunday March 1 at Pahiatua

Sunny skies attracted a huge crowd of families to celebrate National Children’s Day on Sunday March 1 at Pahiatua Stadium. Families enjoyed a carnival atmosphere, taking part in free activities and enjoying picnics under shady trees.

“This year’s event was the 11th. The local community can again be proud of their efforts and willingness to be involved to celebrate Put Tamariki First (2020’s theme) by spending time together as family,” said Jason Griggs, this year’s events coordinator. “I thought it went really well with all the community groups there on the day doing activities for the kids.

The new location at Pahiatua’s Bush Stadium provided plenty of room.

The Pahiatua event was one of many organised around the nation by local communities to mark National Children’s Day.

Pahiatua Children’s Day Committee members are chairperson — Kelly Wylie, secretary — Karen Stuart, treasurer — Vince Charlesworth, grants officer — Shirley Jones, Talitha Vandenbergand event coordinator — Jason Griggs.

Free activities included face painting, mini car rides, bouncy castles, thunder run, spin art, preschool parents area, water games Sponge Bob and Patrick, Boom blaster, fire truck, police, Rotary with offset carts/stilts and multi person skis, REAP Wairarapa Chatterbox, Scouts, DJ, colouring competition, free sausage sizzle, free popcorn and apples.

The colouring-in competition proved popular with many entries.

“Many activities are provided by groups free, so a huge thank you goes to all the volunteers and organisations that helped,” said Jason Griggs .

Other activities were hired, relying on funding grants.

“We successfully received grants from Lotteries and Eastern and Central,” said event grants officer Shirley Jones from

REAP Wairarapa. “The committee also raised funds through various fund raisers.

“As an annual event they are always looking for willing volunteers. If you have an interest in being a-part of the 2021 Pahiatua Children’s Day event please contact Kelly at The Trust.

“National Children’s Day events promote Put Tamariki First and Children’s Day was the perfect time for every one of us to stop and think about what we can do for the small people in our lives.

“As the grown-ups, we have the very important job of making sure children have all the things they need to thrive. That means lots of love, a warm safe place to live, and an environment where they can grow into wonderful, confident young people and contributing adults.

“One of the most important things we can do is give them our time. When asked what they most like to do on Children’s Day, the young people we talked to said ‘doing fun stuff with my family’.

“You can ‘Put Tamariki First’ by spending time. Talking, and asking our children about their hopes and dreams doesn’t cost a thing, but it sends a message that they are cared about and loved. It’s also a chance for us to learn something new about them — children are full of wisdom and can tell us lots about the things they need to be happy,” she said.