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It’s all happening in Snells Beach this Christmas, with several community get-togethers and celebrations to mark the festive season and summer holidays.
First up is a huge combined family picnic on Friday, December 13 at the playground reserve at the bottom of Snells Beach Road.
Santa’s Pohutukawa Picnic will have food trucks, stalls and a bar for the grown-ups, plus plenty of games and entertainment for everyone. There will be carol singalongs, a DJ playing festive favourites, and up-and-coming young Whangarei band Blind Eyes will be rocking the evening with their original reggae, soul and indie funk music.
The picnic is organised by local singer Lou Perkins and a group of friends known as the Kawau Bay Action Group (KBAG), who first got together to organise a successful community night at the former Warehouse store in August last year.
They followed that with the first Pohutukawa Picnic last December and are now hoping to make the family wind-down to summer an annual event.
KBAG says it is working closely with the Snells Beach Residents & Ratepayers Association, the Algies Bay Residents and Ratepayers Associations and other local groups and individuals to deliver events for the community.
This year’s Pohutukawa Picnic will start at 4pm and run through to 9pm, with a very special guest in red due to arrive around 5pm, in an amphibious-wheeled boat instead of the usual sleigh, together with Warkworth town crier Dave Parker and the Mahurangi East Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The picnic will also coincide with a free Hungerball session being run at the reserve from 3pm by Out and About Auckland, funded by Rodney Local Board.
The true meaning of Christmas will be remembered and celebrated on December 24, when Snells Beach Baptist Church holds its annual Christmas Eve Carol Service at 7.30pm.
Pastor Chris Clark will be joined by renowned organist John Wells, who lives locally at Algies Bay, for an evening of traditional readings and music in the church at 396 Mahurangi East Road.
Then, on the day itself, the annual free Mahurangi Community Christmas Lunch will once again be held on the playground reserve at the bottom of Snells Beach Road from 12 noon.
Organiser Moana Hehepoto and her team of volunteers will be welcoming anyone wanting some Christmas company and festive fun, with a huge buffet lunch plus gifts, games and activities for all ages.
“Bring chairs, mats, togs and a big Christmas Day smile,” she says.
Moana says it’s the generosity and support of the local community that has made the event such a success – what started as a one-off breakfast in the community centre in 2018 has grown to an annual lunch that attracts dozens of families and individuals each year.
If anyone is able to offer donations of either food or gifts for all ages this year, it would be hugely appreciated, Moana says.
“We are needing some gifts this year, as the Christmas Shoebox Project has run out of boxes due to high demand, but I know we have an amazing community who will help,” she says.
“Presents don’t necessarily need to be wrapped, but if people are able to, please add gender and ages. We are collecting for children and adults.”
Food donations would also be appreciated, such as ham, cold meats, leg of lamb, salads, pizza toppings or desserts.
Moana says she couldn’t run the lunch without the support of local people and businesses.
“I’d like to thank all the people in our community who donate, cook, support, help with set-up and pack-downs in order for this to happen, and our local businesses Warkworth Butchery, Pak’nSave, Woolworths, RSA, Snells Beach Liquorland, The Warehouse, Warkworth Community Shop, Snells Beach Market, Snells Beach 4 Square, Warkworth Library, True South Seafood, The Kingsway Trust, Teresa More at the Christmas Shoebox Project, Mahurangi Vision, Savans Bakery, Springboard and our local police. Hopefully I haven’t missed anyone out!”
Gifts can be dropped off at Snells Beach Community Market at Snells Beach School on December 15, as well as Snells Beach 4 Square and Warkworth Library. For food drop-offs, contact Moana on 0210 246 1732.
