By Torika Tokalau, Local Democracy Reporter
Manurewa Santa Parade returns this year, after a lack of funds forced its cancellation last year. Photo: LDR/supplied
Santa Claus is coming to town and south Aucklanders will have a chance to spot him at several parades, to ring in the festive season.
Māngere, Papakura, Papatoetoe and Pukekohe are bringing back their annual Santa Parades in November and December - supported by their respective local boards.
Manurewa's parade also returns this year, after a lack of funds forced its cancellation last year.
Organiser Neil Punja said Manurewa businesses and community groups rallied together to ensure Santa would pass through Great South Road.
"We were very determined this time to bring it back," Punja said.
"We didn't have enough funding last year, we just couldn't do it."
The Manurewa Santa Parade organising committee worked early to decide the event would return.
"In February we made the call that we would do it. It will cost us more than $30,000 to hold it and the community came together to make it happen.
"If we can just make one kid happy, that's all the difference we want to make this Christmas."
The much-anticipated south Auckland parades promised a fun-filled, family event, with appearances from local groups and businesses, bands and Santa.
Some organisers have doubled their parades with markets.
Road closures have been planned ahead of all events, and organisers were asking people to plan their journeys ahead of time to avoid being late and disappointment.
Several town centres in south Auckland will be holding their annual Santa Parades. Photo: LDR/supplied
Manurewa and Pukekohe would kick off the Christmas parades in south Auckland on 30 November.
Manurewa starts from 10am on the main street, before it moves to South Mall for entertainment, while Pukekohe's Christmas on the Green will start from 5pm at the Navigation Homes Stadium.
Papatoetoe have an evening of fun on 4 December, kicking off with a concert at 5pm before a Santa Parade at 7pm, at Dunnotar Road.
Māngere Market Santa Parade will be held on December 5, at Coronation Road from 4pm.
Papakura switched venue to Bruce Pulman Park on 8 December, to help save costs.
Local board chair Brent Catchpole said the change of venue guaranteed a long-standing part of Christmas in Papakura continues.
"We meet so many people who remember parades of years gone by and while towns might be struggling to continue with them," Catchpole said.
Catchpole said Bruce Pulman was a wonderful facility that would easily accommodate the community's needs.
"We're very happy to help Santa out if it means more smiles on children's faces and more happy family memories."
Santa Parades in south Auckland
November 30: Manurewa, Main St (10am) / Pukekohe Christmas on the Green, Navigation Homes Stadium (5pm)
December 4: Papatoetoe, Dunnotar Rd (7pm)
December 5: Mangere Market Santa Parade, Coronation Rd (4pm)
December 8: Papakura, Bruce Pulman Park (11am)
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
