Puppets for poppets

Almost 800 Whangarei children and their parents have had a subtle lesson on the value of conserving our native creatures from a very old fashioned source - puppets.
The kids, and their accompanying adults, attended four shows by Kerikeri-based The Magic Play House at Forum North on Tuesday and Wednesday where colourful puppets were used to raise important messages.
Magic Play House director, puppet maker and puppeteer Kylie Penn, said the shows were aimed at children aged 2 to 10, with something in them for all ages to appreciate and understand.
"The first part of the show is a rock concert that features some of the creatures from the New Zealand bush and is narrated by Old Tuatara," Ms Penn said.
"The second part is about the introduced predators that prey on our native creatures and the children have to sing a chant to stop possum and rat from stealing the eggs of the natives.
"It's very interactive and subtle.
"The first part gets their interest and empathy for the native species then the second part is the message of conservation."
All the show's elaborate puppets and sets are made by the group. For more info check out www.themagicplayhouse.co.nz.