Christmas spirit comes to Moerewa
A Moerewa grandmother who is fed up with having to take her mokopuna to Paihia, Kawakawa and Kerikeri to give them a taste of Christmas while their own town misses out year after year has decided to do something about it.
Pamela-Anne Simon-Baragwanath said she recalled parades and Christmas events in the main street when she was growing up in Moerewa.
“Even my own children grew up in Moerewa with amazing Christmas celebrations, but now it seems like years ago when we had an event here. It’s like we’ve been forgotten, so it’s up to us to put something on for our kids, to create good memories for them too,” she said.
“Times are really tough now, so tough it reminds me of the ’80s, when Rogernomics took a lot of businesses and state-owned enterprises away from bustling towns like Moerewa.”
Mrs Simon-Baragwanath, who is coordinating this weekend’s Christmas at the Marae event in Moerewa, said she couldn’t solve the town’s methamphetamine or poverty problems, “but at least we can give the kids a great day of fun, laughter and joy.”
The main event would run from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, at Otiria Marae, featuring giveaways, a talent show, face-painting, rides, bouncy castles, a biggest tuna (eel) competition (register by 11am on the day), egg and spoon races and a giant Jenga game, while the adults would compete in a bake-off (text 027 911-5580 to register).
A Christmas tree-decorating competition for local schools on Friday evening was aimed at getting children involved in the marae.
She hoped
the
celebration
would become an annual event, hosted by a different community venue each year. Everyone would be welcome and all attractions would be free of charge, with the exception of the hangi ($10), which was a fundraiser for Otiria Rugby Club.
Kaumatua and kuia would be catered for with a covered area on the wharekai deck with a view of the main stage. A creche will be available for parents of small children.
And yes, Santa has been booked. He will arrive in a Cadillac instead of a sleigh, and any kids who want a photo with him won’t sit on his lap but next to him on a Harley Davidson.