Well over 1000 ghouls, witches, zombies, mummies and other frightening creatures invaded the Bay of Islands on Friday for two community-run Halloween events.
Both events - a Halloween trail in Kawakawa and a "monster mash" in Kerikeri - aimed to give children a chance to experience dressing up and trick-or-treating without knocking on strangers' doors.
In Kawakawa costumed children followed a trail around the town centre with 48 businesses and organisations taking part, including most shops, the Fire Brigade and police. It wasn't all about sweets either, with oral health staff from Ngati Hine Health Trust giving away toothbrushes.
Many families pulled out the stops to create elaborate costumes. They included Kawakawa man Joey Rapana, who made 18th century period costumes for himself and his daughter using valance sheets and a glue gun. Even Kawakawa's vintage train was decorated for the occasion.