The town pool was the place to be when Kaitaia celebrated Children's Day on Sunday.
The town pool was the place to be when Kaitaia celebrated Children's Day on Sunday.
It might have rained, but that didn't wipe the smiles from the faces of the hundreds of children and their families turned out for Children's Day in Kaitaia on Sunday afternoon.
The event was a dynamic multi-sector collaboration, primarily organised by Oranga Tamariki and Shine on Kaitaia, featuring sounds byDJs ManaUTZ and Tee-'H', a swimming race for mums and dads, a biggest bomb competition, plenty of free kai and giveaways and more.
Shine on Kaitaia, a youth led initiative that is working to stage family-friendly events, appointed 13-year-old Te Kura Kaupapa o Pukemiro student Quiara Murray as the Youth Navigator for the day.
"I was very nervous at the beginning because it was my first ever time being an MC, but after that I got comfortable on the microphone and enjoyed it," she said.
"I can't wait until the next one so I can have another go."
She thought the crowd had had a great day, and the parents seemed to be very impressed, despite the rain.
Next up on Shine on Kaitaia's jam-packed calendar is an Easter Rave on Good Friday (March 30) at Te Ahu, Micah Tawhara, saying it was going to be a huge year for young and old.
We are hoping to hold at least one event each month, which is a huge commitment, but with our passionate team we are going to make it happen.
"We are hoping to hold at least one event each month, which is a huge commitment, but with our passionate team we are going to make it happen," she said.
The crew were always on the lookout for volunteers to awhi with their events, however, and were also seeking funding partners from runanga, organisations and trusts that provided similar services.
"Being a small community, we have the ability to work together better to increase positive outcomes for children and their families, so instead of competing for government or other types of funding, it only makes sense that all our services co-operate," Ms Tawhara said.
"We all want the same thing — to make Kaitaia and the Far North more appealing and a happier, safer place."
