Hello mother, hello father ...the school holidays are here

For parents so inclined, it's possible to "lose" your kids for all but a handful of days over the summer holidays.

Secondary schools closed their gates yesterday and primary school children will storm out to freedom in just over a week.

It's six weeks' holiday and a time many working parents will view with envy, anxiety and even hair-tearing frustration.

But for the discerning or downright desperate parent, it's possible to ship off the kids to one programme or another every day until Christmas.

And as soon as the New Year gets under way, several camps can take the young ones away.

Long gone are the days when New Zealand shut down for six weeks and, as parents have found themselves spending more time at the office, organised holiday programmes, camps and day trips have boomed.

Churches, schools, community groups and private providers - as well as traditional organisations, such as the YMCA - are in on the act. And not a moment too soon, according to John Kennedy, from Out of School Care and Recreation.

"As soon as they spring up they are filled. There's certainly demand."

Quality had also improved as Government funding was introduced over the past five years and subsidies were often available to low-income families, said Mr Kennedy.

In Auckland there are more than 300 different programmes this year, from Pukekohe to Waiwera, and up to 10,000 children will take part.

There are similar organisations everywhere from Northland to Christchurch, Nelson to Wellington.

Mr Kennedy said 60 per cent of Out of School Care and Recreation groups were affiliated to schools so that was the best place to look.

"Parents should ask to see the programme, who exactly is running it and whether it is CYFS approved, because that's the mark of safety and quality."

How to get rid of the kids

* Start the holiday with a four-day canoeing adventure, courtesy of Christian Youth Camps, from December 11-15 (over 13s). Cost $80. See cyc.org.nz for more.

* Out of School Care and Recreation programmes at schools and community centres start from December 6. Cost $15-$35 per day. Ph (09) 366-0320.

* Camp Shakespear runs Blast Camp (8-13 years) from January 3-7. Cost $200.

* Camp Adair at Hunua runs Summer Camp (7-13 years) and X-Treme Camp (10-16 years) from January 9-14. Cost $260. See the YMCA website (link below) for details.

* From January 17-21, 7-13 year-olds can try Hot Dogz at Camp Waiwera. Cost $180.

* Total cost: approx $950