Santa Parade float to celebrate superdiversity

11 year old Doaj Yor dressed in traditional Shilluk clothing of the South Sudan will be joined by Auckland's super diverse cultures on a 'Superdiversity' float. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Farmer's Santa Parade in Auckland will this year have a float to celebrate the city's superdiversity.

The Children of the World float will see multi-ethnic children wearing their national costumes and waving cartoon flags to signify a multicultural Christmas.

Float builder Peter Taylor, who came up with the concept of the float, said he was inspired by another float done about 15 years ago for the International Year of the Child.

"It's also very topical and with what's happening around the world and a reflection of where Auckland is at today," he said.

A massive globe will be a centrepiece of the parade and the flags shows children holding hands together in unity around the globe.

Mr Taylor has been the brains behind every prop and float in the parade since 1973.

Organisers looked for the children using social media and spoke to community organisations like the Auckland Refugee Community Coalition.

Two 11-year-olds from South Sudan, Daoj Yor and Nyapoch Abba, will be wearing the Lau, the traditional dress of the Shilluk tribe.

Daoj's family fled tragedy and genocide in their home country in 2000 and spent years in Syria before coming to New Zealand in 2005.

Her father, Abann Yor, who is also the general manager of the coalition, said he is proud that his daughter will be taking part in the event.

Mr Yor said there are only two Shilluk families in Auckland and both will be represented at the parade.

"It's about acknowledging that my culture is Auckland's culture," he said.

"Our country is only going to become more and more diverse, and therefore a richer country."

Other children on the float come from China, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Taiwan, Scotland, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

The city's largest community event supports the Child Cancer Foundation, and volunteers will be collecting donations on the day to help support children with cancer and their families.

This year, other characters in the procession will include The Minions, Charlie Brown and The Chipmunks.

The star of the day, Santa, will be coming to town on board a new Kiwiana-themed float, accompanied by dancing Kiwis, dolphins, Tui and Pohutukawa trees.

This is the 82nd annual parade and last year's event drew a crowd of about 250,000.
Thousands are also expected to pack the Auckland CBD on Sunday, which will have a new start time of 1pm.

The route starts on the corner of Mayoral Drive and Cook St and finishes at the corner of Albert and Wellesley Streets.

82nd SANTA PARADE

• When: Sun Nov 29, 1pm start
• Route: Cnr of Mayoral Dr and Cook St, down Queen St and ends at the cnr of Albert and Wellesley Sts
• MetService forecast: Rain with light winds 20C high
• Parade characters: Santa, Cookie Bear, Finn and Jake from Adventure Time, Snoopy
• Rain date: Sun Dec 6