Cracker of a Christmas surprise

Raiha Ruwhiu, winner of the $6,000 Christmas cracker. Back from left, Vishal Sharma (Rotorua Daily Post) and Kingi Porima, Aorangi Edmonds, 11, Ocean Christie and Devena Christie. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Winning an unexpected $6000 Christmas bonus is taking a little time to sink in for the "elated" winner of the Rotorua Daily Post and The Hits Rotorua Christmas Cracker promotion.

Rotorua's Raiha Ruwhui had completely forgotten she'd entered the competition, which was drawn this week.

She said she was "elated" to receive the news from The Hits local host Paul Hickey while she was visiting family on the East Cape.

"It was taking a little time to sink in. It's the first time I've ever won anything and I'd forgotten all about it. It really is a wonderful feeling - I still don't think it has really hit me," she said.

Mrs Ruwhui and her husband, Te Ara, have brought up five grandchildren aged between 11 and 21 and she hopes to invest some of the money toward their education and future.

Some will also go toward buying presents.

"We don't usually buy Christmas gifts - coming up to the coast and enjoying the outdoors we consider our present. It's a festive time of year and a time for giving," she said.

Customers had to spend $20 or more at a participating Rotorua business to be in the Christmas Cracker draw.

Mrs Ruwhiu's winning entry was from a purchase she made at Reduced to Clear on Lake Rd.

Reduced to Clear manager West Kuka said the win was wonderful news and it was very satisfying to be part of making someone's Christmas special.

"To help the community before Christmas and to be part of helping make someone's Christmas so much better is a fantastic thing to be involved in."

Rotorua Daily Post advertising manager Janine Davy said entries to the competition were up on last year.

She said it was always satisfying to run promotions that benefited both advertisers and members of the community.

Participating stores also included Tyreworks, Simply NZ, Furniture Zone, Gull Night and Day, Shreeji Food and Spice, Koutu Liquorland, Kulture Shock, Gould Photographics, Waste Management, Princes Gate Hotel, Rotorua Hyundai and Isuzu, Sleep City, Regent Of Rotorua, Mitre 10 Mega, City Autos, Krazy $ Dealz, Western Heights Pharmacy, Chapmans Restaurant, Cash Converters, Gun Supplies, VR Rotorua, Whakarewarewa Thermal Village and Pascoes The Jewellers.