The annual Children’s Day celebration, held on Sunday 3rd March 2024 at the Gore Multisports Complex, was a great success, thanks to the collaboration of local organisations, volunteers, and community groups. Hokonui Hauora sponsored the bouncy castle hire, providing two castles with their own generators, which allowed for safe and flexible placement across the site. The bouncy castles were a huge hit, with tamariki enjoying hours of fun while caregivers took a moment to relax or snap photos. After several years without this feature, the planning team was delighted by the positive response and has agreed to include bouncy castles again next year due to their popularity.

The event attracted around 400-500 attendees, with activities like ice skating, a sausage sizzle, face painting, and the Police Speed Racer challenge drawing large crowds. The Kids Hub was also busy with activities, and Hokonui Runanga supplied hundreds of fruit cups. With no entry fees, Children’s Day allowed families to enjoy a day of fun without financial barriers, providing an opportunity to try new activities, connect with local service providers, and share kai. The event reinforced the kaupapa He taonga te tamaiti—Children are our greatest gift—by creating a space for the community to come together and invest time in the future of our tamariki.