Now that Covid-19 has snuffed out Ponsonby’s popular Franklin Road festive lights, it’s a good time to explore the local streets looking for lights.
Lights in the Heights
At Christmas time, you can’t miss the festive lights and giant Santa at 233 West Hoe Heights in Orewa.
Homeowner Jason Paterson says you can see their Christmas lights glowing and flashing from as far away as Millwater Parkway – “From that distance, it looks like a big traffic accident!” he says.
Jason and his wife Tiffany began getting into Christmas lights six years ago to delight their daughter Emma, who was then two years old.
Orginally they lived in Millwater, and were inspired by the Christmas lights they saw there.
“We decided to get a couple,” Jason says. “In the third year we went a bit nuts and spent more than $1000 on lights.”
Last November the family moved to West Hoe Heights and began covering the front of their new home with Christmas lights.
This year’s display, Jason says, is the best ever and caused a few mishaps along the way.
“Some elves see-sawing weren’t bolted down properly and the wind blew them off the roof and into my car window,” Jason says. “Also three inflatables stopped working and we got 10 new ones instead. We also made our own sleigh this year.”
One of the most impressive inflatables in the Paterson’s display is a two-storey Santa.
The set up and testing, as well as ironing out any problems, takes a good week.
The lights are now on display for the community to enjoy. Also in the weekends, when the weather permits, there will be a snow effect and projectors off the garage, Jason says.
Other local streets with good Christmas lights include:
Vista Motu in Red Beach
Millwater – Bridal Place makes a special effort and there are also impressive lights on Miller Rise, Cilliers Drive and Harris Drive (off the Timberland Drive end).
Orewa – Kensington Park homes have a reputation for good lights.
Scouts light up
Following its Halloween themed Polar Plunge, Orewa Sea Scouts have again come up with an inventive fundraiser, putting on their first Christmas display for the community to enjoy. Christmas trees and lights will be set up in the Sea Scouts Hall on Arundel Reserve, 467 Hibiscus Coast Highway. Decorations, a traditional table setting and fireplace scene are also part of the display. Blacked out windows allows the lights to be enjoyed before dark, so that younger family members can come along. The display is open on December 18-21, 4pm to 9.30pm. Entry is by donation, with Eftpos available.
