It’s all about the children on Sunday

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A Children’s Day event is back after being cancelled last year because of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Sunday is Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki Children’s Day — a chance for all tamariki/mokopuna to enjoy a day full of fun activities.

“This kaupapa is about celebrating our tamariki for the tino taonga that they are,” Gisborne event organiser Hineiti Monika said.

This year it is being hosted at Stand Tū Maia at 49 Cochrane Street from 10am to 2pm.

The event will feature a  free barbecue along with other kai, face painting, entertainment, bouncy castles, an amazing maze, a ride-on bull, heaps of prizes, local services showing what they offer and some surprises.

A bus, sponsored by Gisborne District Council, has been organised to help pick up all those who want to attend. Pick-up times and locations are 9am at Te Karaka Shop, 9.30am at Atkinson St Shop, 9.45am at Kaiti Hub, 9.55am at Pak’nSave, 10am at Elgin shops. At 2.05pm the bus will make the return trip home.

“We are thankful for all the services that have come together to collaborate for this event. Without them we wouldn’t have made this happen,” Ms Monika said.

The event has multiple sponsors including E Tū Elgin, Te Runanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa, Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, Stand Tū Maia, Tairāwhiti Community Voice, Barnardos, the YMCA and the Violence Free Tairāwhiti Network.