Free holiday play for Wairarapa kids

Stand Up Paddleboarding, if water conditions allow, also will be part of a two-week Wairarapa school holiday programme starting on January 13.

Masterton Safe and Healthy Community Council is offering a free two-week school holiday programme starting on Monday, January 13, at 9am, for ages five to 13.

Activities include Anna Bailey's puppetry show Pasta Arrabiata: a cooking show with strings. This will be followed with a demonstration of how puppets work and a puppet-making workshop.

Wind Warriors from Foxton will be bringing their Junior Wind Warrior sessions for three days. Powerkite sessions involve the children learning to fly three-line kitesports trainer kites in pairs.

Sandy Ryan, manager of MSHCC, said it's exciting, dynamic, and great fun for all involved.

"The perfect introduction to the world of kitesports. Once kite skills and techniques have been established in the Powerkiting session, we step things up and include the board, teaching basic principles and letting the children explore the possibilities of wind-generated power."

Stand Up Paddleboarding, if water conditions allow, is also on offer.

Mrs Ryan said the activities are designed to challenge children and give them a new experience that they cannot get anywhere else in Wairarapa. "We are particularly keen to enrol young people aged 11 to 15 years to meet our funding obligations."

Other activities include a sports-based programme with Wairarapa Bush Rugby and a visit from the Bully Free Me Coordinators.

Included in the daily programme are meals and transport from Featherston and Martinborough to South End School, Carterton.

Masterton-based children will attend either Lakeview School or Masterton Intermediate.

Children living outside Masterton need to be aged 11 to 15.

For more information visit the website: www.mshcc.org.nz.