Santa brings joy to Rotorua kids at Motion Entertainment

The Rotorua community has pulled together and helped Santa give out 700 presents to children at Motion Entertainment.

Julia Manktelow, Motion Entertainment national brand and sales manager, said the presents came from various avenues, including businesses she visited and people who responded to a Facebook post.

She said even people who lived out of town but had baches in Rotorua got behind the cause.

Manktelow said the children who got presents were from families who had received a Salvation Army hamper and about 25 others she reached out to along the way.

"I just want to thank all the local businesses and locals that got behind it. I think it's really special to celebrate the children."

She said CityRide and Reesby Buses helped transport children who may not have been able to get to the venue otherwise, and Mitre 10's portable shed was used for a sausage sizzle.

Former Rotorua mayor Grahame Hall donned the Santa outfit.

"Everyone banded together to make it happen. We will make it bigger and better next year."

Jasmine and Crystal Head, both 9, went to the event and received presents with their best friend Cody Scothern, 8.

They said it had been fun and both received free tickets to the Xtreme Air Indoor Tramp Park, which they had wanted to go on as soon as they saw it.

Jasmine and Crystal's grandmother, Shirley Head, said she had brought the girls up since they were 6 months old.

She said the gift-giving event was brilliant and it was a surprise to find the ticket to it at the bottom of the hamper from the Salvation Army.

"It was like Christmas.

"I think it's great because there's a lot of families that don't have money to buy presents. The fact we get all this food and then presents, it just lifts your spirit."

Constable Marc van Krieken said it was cool to see so many families there.

"I can see some people walking around with their tickets which is encouraging because I know all those families were struggling in Rotorua and they deserve a fun day out."

Rotorua MP Todd McClay also attended and said it was fantastic.

"Rotorua is extremely generous. It is often those that have the least that give the most.

"It's delightful to see the huge smiles on the children's faces as they come to Motion Entertainment and get ready for Christmas."