Media Release

8 March 2016

Treasured Rotorua children celebrate fun-packed days

Rotorua children are so treasured by the community that it took two days to celebrate them with a series of free events and activities over the weekend from Government Gardens to Kuirau Park and out into the Redwoods.

Rotorua Lakes Council led the way in encouraging families to spend time together with the special little people in their lives.

The celebrations started on Saturday when kids followed a special treasure map enjoying free games and crafts in different locations around Rotorua.

More than 1200 people participated in the different activities on offer which was more than the organisers ever hoped for.

Rotorua Lakes Council Community Engagement lead Julianne Wilkinson said it was the first time Rotorua Museum, Rotorua District Library and Rotorua Aquatic Centre joined forces with the Rotorua Children’s Art House and Rotorua Arts Village to develop the event.

“It was fantastic to draw on knowledge and inspiration from all these teams to create this unique event and, given the huge success of the day, it is definitely something we will build on for future years.”

From mask making to face painting, from old school games to flag design there was something for everyone to enjoy.

One happy dad said his kids couldn’t get enough of all the free activities on offer.

“We were up early on Saturday to get going on the treasure hunt and finished the day with a swim at the Aquatic Centre.”

Many took advantage of the great weather to bike along the Green Corridor searching for the pirate giving out spot prizes for children in fancy dress. Councillor Karen Hunt, ‘the pirate’ and Rotorua Children’s Art House committee member, said she had a fabulous day.

“It was great to see so many locals making the most of this free event and getting into the spirit of the day.”

Treasure hunters collected stamps at each venue, and those with five or more stamps could enter a grand prize draw valued at more than $750. Prizes included family passes to the Redwoods Tree Walk and Te Pō at Te Puia, as well as vouchers for Lone Star, Rotorua Museum, the Aquatic Centre and fun books and stationery from Rotorua District Library.

Out of nearly 200 entries the lucky winner of the grand prize pack was Allan Huang from Rotorua who receives a great range of vouchers from Redwoods Tree Walk, Te Pō, Skyline Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Rotorua Aquatic, Lone Star as well as books, crafts and much more. Allan’s mum Zhuqin Tian was surprised and delighted for her son.

“It was fantastic to have these events in town and especially free for kids. We had a great day,” she said.

On Sunday the celebrations continued at the annual Redwoods’ Children’s Day where families enjoyed puppets, drumming, story-telling, bush adventures and much more. This was the 8th year the event had run and organiser Jill Walker believes it was one of the best.

“We had fantastic weather and more than 1000 people to the Redwoods for the afternoon.”

ends

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