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Home / Entertainment

Little Hannah's up for big Christmas job

NZ Herald
13 Dec, 2013 04:30 PM2 mins to read

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Hannah Underwood from Stanmore Bay will turn on the festive tree lights at Christmas in the Park tonight. Photo / Natalie Slade

Hannah Underwood from Stanmore Bay will turn on the festive tree lights at Christmas in the Park tonight. Photo / Natalie Slade

Being centre stage in front of thousands at the Domain concert doesn't faze the North Shore 6-year-old

Tens of thousands of eyes will be on 6-year-old Hannah Underwood tonight - but she isn't nervous.

The Red Beach School pupil will have the important task of switching on the lights of the 21m-high solar-powered tree at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park at the Auckland Domain.

The tree, which took 10 people and a crane seven hours to decorate, is powered by 20sq m of solar panels.

It also includes a battery storage system which allows power to be saved for when night falls.

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Hannah's only experience in front of a crowd so far was earlier this year at a school production, when she performed for about 100 parents.

"I feel really special about my job of switching on the lights.

"And I am also really excited about meeting Stan Walker," the little girl said.

Mother Karen entered Hannah after seeing the competition for children aged 6 to 12 - run by power company Vector - advertised online.

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Ms Underwood said Hannah was "ecstatic" when she found out she had won.

"She was like, 'Oh my god', screaming and yelling.

"She's a very confident girl, she likes to do that kind of thing, so to do it on such a large scale is really exciting."

Hannah, who lives in Stanmore Bay on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, is so confident she has even told her mother to keep clear of her while she's on stage.

Discover more

Environment

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park: Light up the tree

27 Nov 06:30 PM
Lifestyle

Fabulous festive days out

06 Dec 08:00 PM
New Zealand

Booze-free Christmas in the Park sparks debate

12 Dec 10:08 PM
New Zealand

Strong support for alcohol ban

13 Dec 04:30 PM

"I said to her I would be right there if she wanted me, and she said, 'I don't want you on stage with me'," Ms Underwood said.

"She just wants to be out there on her own."

Where: Auckland Domain
When: 7.30 tonight

• Complete alcohol ban
• Grafton Bridge closed to vehicles
• Use public transport, as parking is limited

Reserve day: Tomorrow

• Performers include Stan Walker, X Factor winner Jackie Thomas and runner-up
• Benny Tipene, Vince Harder and Frankie Stevens
• Fireworks display to close the night
• Concert screens 7pm tomorrow on TV3

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