KEY MESSAGES OF CHILDREN’S DAY
Children’s Day — Te ra¯ o nga¯ Tamariki, provides New Zealanders with an opportunity to celebrate and give time to children. It is recognised on the first Sunday of March and introduced by the first Children’s Commissioner in 2000.
Children’s Day is for communities to come together to celebrate children, putting tamariki first.
It is an opportunity for families, and communities to celebrate and nurture children. The day is as much a celebration of children as an opportunity to engage all of New Zealand to think about their responsibility to support the lives of tamariki in their communities.
Children’s Day is driven by communities, with councils, NGOs, libraries, early childhood centres, schools and churches among some of the groups that host and run their own
Children’s Day events.
There are hundreds of Children’s Day events in neighbourhoods all over Aotearoa every March — some big and some small. Events range from teddy bears picnics, family expos, to councils opening their pools and facilities for free. Businesses are encouraged to get involved by contributing time and resources.
Children’s day at Waipukurau’s Russell Park this
· Put tamariki first. · Let’s all come together as a nation and celebrate tamariki. · All tamariki deserve aroha. · Children are born with mana. · You can put tamariki first by giving time, aroha, praise and encouragement. · Children are our future — they are full of potential. · You don’t have to be a parent or child to be part of Children’s Day. · Every one of us can do this — every child can thrive. · Children depend on adults to care for them — it’s our responsibility to do our very best for them. · Let’s make every day Children’s Day.
Sunday is going to have activities from arts and crafts, water play, escape my house challenge, sport relays and races, story telling, music, a sausage sizzle and lots more. Being widely supported by community clubs and organisations to provide a day of fun free entertainment.
Sport Hawke’s Bay will be running some “backyard” games that are easy to play at home, to encourage people to play together at home as a family. Basketball HB will also be running activities.
■ Children’s Day — Te ra¯ o nga¯ Tamariki — Russell Park Waipukurau, March 1, from 10am1pm, free activities, all welcome.