Ngapuhi runanga staff bring Christmas cheer to Northland families

Heidi Holden, executive assistant to Ngapuhi Runanga CEO, and staff from the runanga and Ngapuhi Iwi Social Services. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Some people are worrying if they have ticked all the presents off the shopping list.

For others, it's just putting food on the table.

But staff from Te Runanga-A-Iwi O Ngapuhi are trying to remove that worry.

Karen Kaka, Christmas hamper organiser and iwi registrar for the runanga, said elves at the runanga have teamed up with local community groups and businesses to share the spirit of Christmas with struggling whanau and tamariki.

"There are many whanau still struggling to make ends meet and it's often the tamariki who don't get to enjoy Christmas," she said.

"There's a lot of grandparents looking after tamariki who don't ask for help, a lot of single mums and dads who don't ask for help. So through social workers we're trying to target those kinds of people this year."

It's the second year the Ngapuhi runanga have organised Christmas hampers for families in need.

Last year they delivered 40 hampers, but this year thanks to the help of local businesses they put together 80 for whanau in Hokianga, Mangakahia, Okaihau, Kaikohe and surrounding areas.

"It's overwhelming. We didn't think we would be able to do it but we did."

Ms Kaka said the hampers will contain chicken, veges, dessert, toiletries, tea, Milo, coffee, chips, biscuits, ingredients for trifle, and milk and cream.

Ms Kaka said Fonterra supplied 200 cases of milk and cream with each case containing 12 litre containers.

The runanga also had a list of gender and ages of children receiving hampers and added gifts appropriate to each child.

Ms Kaka, Merle Stirling and Sarah Quinn started the whanau Christmas hampers last year with the idea that "no child should go without Christmas".

Runanga chief executive Tony Dowling said it was about ensuring everyone had a happy Christmas.

"We hope this provides an early Christmas surprise for the deserving families. We're still accepting donations and humbled to be able to support such a wonderful kaupapa."