Community digs deeper than ever for Orewa Big Dig

Sunshine and the holiday atmosphere of Auckland Anniversary weekend were major contributors to the most successful Big Dig in the event’s 33-year history.

In excess of 3000 children aged from five to 16 years dug cordoned off sections of Orewa Beach searching for buried prize tickets.

Orewa Lions president Paul Reid says seeing that number of diggers taking part was an awesome sight.
“It was like carnage out there – sand flying everywhere,” Paul says.

Most of the more than 1000 prize tickets buried in the sand by Lions volunteers were dug up.

The event, on January 30, was held two weeks later than normal, and Paul says there is no doubt that the Anniversary Day holiday increased the numbers attending.

He says local businesses got right behind the Big Dig, especially Orewa New World, supplying prizes that included bikes and scooters, vouchers and gift packs.

Sausages were sizzled by the dozen by Whangaparaoa Lions and entertainment on the reserve, which included bouncy castles, slides and merry go-rounds were so popular that people were queuing at 9am for rides.

Although final numbers are still being crunched, the event is expected to raise a record total of around $6000 for local youth organisations.