Teighan Lloydd, 15, from Mangawhai, checks out a few of the 86 Christmas trees in Santa's Grotto in Kaikohe. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF
Teighan Lloydd, 15, from Mangawhai, checks out a few of the 86 Christmas trees in Santa's Grotto in Kaikohe. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF
A weekly round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and around the Mid North
If you're a fan of all things Christmassy, today is your last chance to check out Santa's Grotto in Kaikohe.
The impressive grotto, in the old hardware shop at 81 Broadway, is packed with 86 Christmas trees, a life-size nativity scene, kids' art, and of course the big man himself.
The free attraction is run by volunteers, many of them members of Kaikohe Community Arts Council. It is now in its fourth year, using a different vacant shop each time.
Young visitors can make artworks - there's a large supply of colouring-in pencils, felts, glue and glitter - while they wait their turn with Santa. It will be open for the last time from 10am-4pm today (December 23).
Volunteer Linda Hahn said the grotto was getting 200 visitors a day last week with numbers expected to increase as Christmas nears.
"It's just brilliant. The community has really got behind it," she said.
The Christmas tree display was not a competition but the results of a challenge to Kaikohe residents to get creative. The trees were made by schools, kohanga reo, daycare centres and businesses, ranging from the traditional to creations made from driftwood, flax and old plastic bottles.
For the latest information on Santa's visiting times see the Facebook page Santa's Grotto Kaikohe.
If you're heading to Kaikohe to check out the grotto, make sure you stop in Ohaeawai to see the results of the town's letterbox decorating competition.
Most of the entries are along SH1 and SH12 with a few in the streets around the school.
It's a fine example of a small town pulling together and showing some Christmas spirit. A list of winners is on display at Ohaeawai dairy.
Sculpture park opens
A new sculpture park has opened at Wharepuke on Kerikeri's Stone Store Hill with more than 40 artworks scattered along a 1km trail through a subtropical garden.
This interactive sculpture by kaleidoscope makers Andrew and Robyn Leary, consisting of six different kaleidoscopes and a rotating garden, is one of the exhibits in a new sculpture park in Kerikeri.
The sculptures, by New Zealand and international artists, range from 3D printed objects to cast resin, wood, metal and ceramics. A catalogue is available with more details about the works. The property is also home to a print studio, art gallery, cottages and a restaurant.
The sculptures will be in place for about 10 months when new submissions will be called for and the works changed for the next season.
The park includes permanent works by Chris Booth and Richard Parker's on-going Pathway project, which visitors can add to by laying some tiles. A plant trail will highlight some of the rare and unusual plants at Wharepuke.
The sculpture park will be open daily from 10am-5pm. Entry $10 adults, $5 children. More information at www.art-park.co.nz.
If you fancy a man (or woman) in a uniform, and you want to support a good cause, you could do worse than investing in a firefighters calendar. The calendar comes in male and female editions with a different portrait every month.
Pakaraka firefighter Tony Scott has been organising the calendar for 26 years and making it for the last four. Money raised helps volunteer firefighters compete in national and international sporting events, including the World Firefighter Games.
The calendar is available by emailing production@nzfirecal.co.nz or calling Mr Scott on 0274 501 889. There are no Far Northerners in the 2016 edition but he has a few lined up for the following year. The challenge is getting Northland men to pose.
"The guys tend to be a bit more reserved. I'm challenging the boys to step up," he said. Mr Scott also organises the annual Sky Tower Challenge which last year raised $1 million for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ.
The winners of this year's Business Paihia competition for the best-decorated shop will be chosen this evening.
Judges will wander through town in the afternoon inspecting shop and window displays then return at dusk to check out the lights. The winners will receive a Christmas hamper plus a trophy for first place.
A separate competition is being held for best decorated home in the Paihia area.
Icebreaker fishing contest
Bay of Islands Swordfish Club is holding its annual Icebreaker fishing tournament on December 28-29.
The target species are snapper, kingfish, marlin and tuna and the prize pool totals more than $5000.
While the event caters to keen marlin and tuna fishers anxious to get back on the water after winter, it is also geared at families with plenty of prizes for juniors and mystery weights.
Briefing and registration is at 6pm on December 27 in the Paihia clubrooms on Marsden Rd. Prizegiving will be at 6pm on December 29. The entry fees are $75 for adults and $25 juniors. Family rates are available.
For more information call the club on (09) 403 7857, email swordfish@xtra.co.nz or visit the website www.swordfish.co.nz.
Cooking's a winner
Paihia School has won a $2000 grant in a nationwide challenge to encourage healthy eating and activity.
Paihia School students Patience Russell, Pippiana Voakes and Isabella Andrews with French dishes, part of a programme exploring healthy eating and cooking from different countries.
More than 140 classes took part in the new Health Star Ratings education programme, which sees children learn about healthy eating in the classroom, kitchens and supermarkets, but just four received a grant.
The money can be used for a school vegetable garden, a canteen audit or extra training for a teacher in health and wellness.
Principal Jane Lindsay said the students explored cooking from different countries and different ways to prepare healthy food as part of the project. The children would decide how the money, a significant amount for the school, would be spent.
The grant was provided by Nestle New Zealand as part of its Be Healthy, Be Active initiative.
Summer art
Kings Theatre Creative, in the old cinema in Kawakawa, is calling for submissions by Northland artists for its next summer show. The deadline is January 29 with the show due to open on February 5.
Artists, groups and curators are also invited to submit ideas for the gallery's 2016 calendar. Call (09) 404 1523 or visit the Facebook page Kings Theatre Creative.
Meanwhile, a summer showcase at Kaan Zamaan in Kerikeri, with samples from this year's shows plus a taste of what's coming next year, runs until January 6. The Hobson Ave gallery is open daily except Saturday ad Monday.
Focus Paihia trustee steps down
Long-serving Focus Paihia trustee Sarah Greener is stepping down after five years in the role.
Focus Paihia's achievements while Mrs Greener was a board member and treasurer include the transformation of an unsightly parking area into a popular waterfront park, and two major national awards - supreme winner in the 2015 Trustpower National Community Awards, and Paihia's win of the Community of the Year title in the New Zealander of the Year Awards.
Nominations for a new business representative on the Focus Paihia board will close at the end of January.
Do you have news or an upcoming event you'd like to see in this column? Send it to us, including your full contact details, to baynews@northernadvocate.co.nz.
