Time for children to celebrate ‘the taonga they are’

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

It's time for tamariki of Tairāwhiti to get ready to celebrate themselves at the region’s Children’s Day event on Sunday.

Children’s Day was in March but because of Cyclone Gabrielle the Tairāwhiti event was postponed.

“This event belongs to the community,” says Hineiti Monika, Te Whatu Ora suicide prevention postvention coordinator.

Each year a different organisation takes the lead and other organisations support them.

“This year’s event is especially important as we know many of our tamariki have faced challenges during Covid-19 and the Cyclone. It’s important our tamariki are celebrated just for being them, for the taonga that they are,” says Hineiti.

“We know that nurturing, parental resilience, and social connections are all protective factors for children’s development and these are some of the things at the forefront for those of us who are organising this event.”

This year’s event is being hosted by a group of cross sector services and will be held at Stand Tu Maia, 49 Cochrane Street on Sunday July 9 from 10am to 2pm.

The theme is music and movement.

There will be local entertainment, bouncy castles, face painters, and a barbecue.

The main funders are Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou, Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa, and Barnardos, along with Tauawhi Men’s Centre, Family Works, Stand Tū Māia, E Tū Whānau, YMCA, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Kaputi and Tu Ake E Tu Elgin.

“Because of the funding provided we are proud to be able to offer two free buses. One will stop in Ūawa and Kaiti, the other in Te Karaka and Atkinson Street in Mangapapa,” Hineiti said.

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The bus will pick up whānau in Tolaga Bay at 9am from Te Whare Hauora o Te Aitanga a Hauiti, with a second pickup at the Kaiti Mall at 9.45am.

The bus from Te Karaka will pick up at 9.30am from the Te Karaka shops with a second pickup at 9.55am at the Atkinson St shops, 283 Stout St.

All children must have adult supervision.

This event is free and open to the public.

Organisers are also taking donations of spot prizes, and for any general inquiries people can contact suicide.prevention@tdh.org.nz.

It will only be cancelled if the weather is severe.

All and any updates will be advertised on the E Tū Elgin Facebook Page.