Plans for big Children's Day celebration in Motueka

February 24th, 2012

Events are being planned to encourage the whole of Motueka to celebrate Children's Day (Te Ra O Te Tamariki) on Sunday March 4th, but there is still time for new ideas to be put together.

The day has as its theme 'love and affection' and all over New Zealand there will be fun things organised by individuals, families, groups, businesses and agencies within their communities.

The main promoter of this event, Linda Glew, coordinator of Strengthening Families, says people can organise any activity or event to join in this celebration. "Building on Motueka being voted best New Zealand town in 2010, let's promote Motueka as a great place for children," she says.

Already four events have been publicised on this website, including "Cupcakes in Granny's Garden" at 57 Greenwood Street, a Pool Party at Parklands School for families/whanau, an open day at the community gardens, and stories and morning tea for children at St Andrews Church.

DOC has organised a "Take a kid snorkelling" event in the national park, and a "Take a kid fishing" day is also planned at the public wharf at Talley's Fisheries, which will include fishing with members of RSA Fishing Club.

Linda says activities could be easily mounted include organising a morning tea, a neighbours street party, taking kids fishing or playing games in our reserves, getting young people and older people involved in organising outdoor or indoor games.

"There are heaps of ideas, resources, fliers and other information. And by registering your activity on the website you can get lots of freebies for children." The website is at www.childrensday.org.nz. Anyone looking for inspiration should check out media stories on this website from some of the 2011 celebrations. More than 500 events were held around the country. "It doesn't have to cost anything - having fun can be simple."

The initial idea for Children's Day came from a suggestion by the first Children's Commissioner, Ian Hassall, in 1991. His suggestion was developed and progressed by the Rotary Club of Wellington. In conjunction with the following Children's Commissioner, Laurie O'Reilly, the idea was then mooted to Government.

In 1999, the National Steering Group was established to progress the concept of Children's Day. Interested government and non-government agencies were represented on this group.

The inaugural Children's Day was held on Sunday 29 October 2000 with the intention that Children's Day would occur on the last Sunday of October every year. In 2007 the date for Children's Day was changed to the first Sunday in March.

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