Samuel Walker, centre, and Adelaide Howe, left, take part in ABC Rotorua Central's relay. Photo / Ben Fraser
Samuel Walker, centre, and Adelaide Howe, left, take part in ABC Rotorua Central's relay. Photo / Ben Fraser
The eight-hour "turbo" Relay for Life will still include some of the favourite features like the survivors' lap and candlelight ceremony, even though forecast severe weather has forced major changes.
Organisers have banned tents and marquees because of the risk they'll become a hazard in the high winds.
A severe weather watch is now in place for much of the North Island, including Rotorua, Taupo and the Bay of Plenty as Cyclone Lusi moves towards New Zealand.
The watch is for the likelihood of significant heavy rain tomorrow and also gales, some of which might become severe, especially in the Central Plateau.
The event will run from 2pm tomorrow until 10pm, but may finish earlier if the weather gets really bad.
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society spokeswoman Rachael Mounsey said there would be covered seating in the grandstand and a large marquee set up on the field to provide shelter for participants survivors and spectators.
Mrs Mounsey said it wasn't logistically possible to change the date of the event so they were doing everything they could to ensure it went ahead.
She said the survivors' lap for cancer survivors would be the opening lap with survivors welcome to attend an afternoon tea afterwards.
The candlelight ceremony will take place at 8.30pm but might be moved indoors, she said. The barbecue breakfast would be changed to a barbecue dinner.
A severe weather watch is now in place for much of the North Island, including Rotorua, Taupo and the Bay of Plenty as Cyclone Lusi moves towards New Zealand.
The Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group was preparing for the storm.
Regional manager Clinton Naude said Civil Defence staff across the region were ready to respond and tracking the path of the cyclone closely.
Heavy rain is expected for the northeast of the North Island from Northland to Bay of Plenty and northern Gisborne, with gale force winds for most areas of the North Island. Large coastal waves and storm surges are expected for the northeast of the North Island from Northland to Bay of Plenty.
Aramoana Waiti, 3, delights in taking part in ABC Rotorua Central's relay. Photo / Ben Fraser
"People need to keep up to date with official weather warnings and forecasts. There could well be flooding, slips, road closures, power failures and phone outages."
Fun walk's a doddle for toddlers
They might not be big enough to compete in the real version, but for a group of tots like Adelaide Howe this is just as much fun.
The 4-year-old from ABC Rotorua Central was one of about 60 kids at the centre who took part in their very own Relay For Life yesterday.
With batons they'd carefully crafted themselves, and with the help of the centre teachers, they walked and ran in groups around a central Rotorua block, raising money for parents from the centre who are doing tomorrow's relay. It is one of the major fundraisers for the Cancer Society.
Adelaide, who got dressed up in her special princess dress for the event, said it was lots of fun going for the walk.
Centre manager Amy Chung said the idea came about after teachers found out there were three parents doing the event, and wanted to help with their fundraising efforts.
Mrs Chung said they talked to the kids about why they were doing the relay.
The Relay for Life is taking place at the Rotorua International Stadium tomorrow. It was originally to run from 2pm through to midday on Sunday but the forecast bad weather has forced organisers to shorten the event. It will now finish about 10pm tomorrow night.
