A traditional Santa was a huge hit in Kaitaia last year, above, and he'll be back again at next weekend's Kaitaia Christmas Parade.
Kaitaia's Christmas Parade will feature the jolly man wearing a traditional red-and-white Santa outfit.
The event on December 15 will be in contrast to some other parades this year, where Santa had a less traditional portrayal.
In Kawakawa on Saturday, there were no complaints when Santa was played by a
woman. This followed controversy in Auckland when the long-standing Santa said he would not cast a woman as Santa.
In Nelson on Sunday, Santa wore a red korowai and had a taiaha. The portrayal, which also did not have a Santa hat or beard, had children questioning "where's Santa?"
But tradition will be upheld in Kaitaia this year.
Sadly, the man who normally played Santa, Norm Bryan, had passed away, said an organiser, Kirsty Saxon. She felt it was not appropriate to comment on the appearance of Santa this year, other than to say there would be a traditional Santa suit.
