Great day out for Whanau

Hundreds of children and their parents gathered together for the third annual Whanau Day in Masterton yesterday.

Sandy Ryan, Masterton Safe and Health Community Council manager and event organiser, said the 24 stallholders set up thoughout the War Memorial Stadium comprised the largest number since the event was launched and she had expected the crowd to be as large as ever.

"We had 700 through last year and 1000 the year before and we're expecting similar numbers this time round - it seems to be building year on year."

She said Masterton district councillors Garry Caffell, Lyn Patterson, Doug Bracewell and Chris Peterson had been on hand as volunteers for the event, which was funded by Masterton District Council.

Children were treated to a gamut of activities including sack races, mini gymnasium romps and freebies including food and drink, books, pens, and rides.

Parents were encouraged to take up opportunities on the day to win prizes that included a $100 food hamper, an emergency kit, a booster seat, and an e-reader.

The day links to the United Nations' International Day of Families that falls on May 15, Mrs Ryan said, and "for us, it's all about reinforcing the value of families".

She said the Whanau Day and the Ageing With Attitude event in October were each year the two major calendar dates for the community council, which also runs programmes for children in the town through each school holiday.