The community reaps the benefits when mega-stars like Tiki Taane and Hollie Smith make Bay of Plenty their home.
Papamoa resident Tiki and new-to-Mount Maunganui Hollie have put their hands up to headline (along with Anika Moa and Anna Coddington) the massive Christmas in the Park event, destined for Blake Park on December 21. Entry is just a gold coin donation.
The two friends are extremely busy with their careers. "Out of the 20 or so things I get asked to do every week, I try to find time to do at least one or two things for the community, this was definitely one,'' Tiki says.
Three years ago, community-minded couple Rachelle and Chris Duffy asked Tiki to perform at their Little Big Markets Christmas event, and he agreed straight away. He's performed there ever since, and jumped at the chance to perform and MC the special "Christmas in the Park'' event.
He also recruited Hollie and Anika "We couldn't have done it without Tiki,'' Chris says.
Hollie moved to Mount Maunganui in March. She's been getting recognised more often around town, and gets "lots of double-takes''. Both Hollie and Tiki have children starting school next year locally (Hollie's boy Taimana and Tiki's boy Charlie).