Family friendly Kawerau Christmas in the Park

A talented line-up of acts and artists is confirmed for this year’s popular Kawerau Christmas in the Park.

The annual showcase, a family friendly festive event organised by Kawerau District Council, will be taking place at Prideaux Park, Kawerau, next Saturday, December 14.

The event will be headlined by chart-topping reggae band Tomorrow People and supported by the dynamic Hollie Smith.

Organisers encourage locals and visitors to come along to this family-friendly event, with drugs, alcohol and gang regalia not permitted. Bag searches may take place at the venue entrances. Prideaux Park is a smoke- and vape-free venue.

Organisers are working alongside the New Zealand Fire and Emergency (FENZ) and Van Tiel Pyrotechnics to deliver a spectacular firework display again.

A 20-square-metre screen on site will ensure all spectators can fully enjoy the range of acts and for those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available.

The concert will be preceded by the New World Kawerau Santa Parade, 11am to 12 noon, with Christmas in Aotearoa as the theme.

The council said Kawerau Christmas in the Park was made possible thanks to funders and business donors that include New Zealand Community Trust, Lion Foundation, Bay Trust, Trust Horizon, Lotto, Mercury Energy, Kajavala Forestry, Sequal Lumber, Oji Fibre Solutions, Essity, Putauaki Trust, Māori Investments, Riteway Rigging, Ngāti Tūwharetoa (BOP) Settlement Trust and New World Kawerau.

What is on

Kawerau Christmas in the Park Evening Show: 6.30pm-10pm

Pari Maxwell is show director and has brought together a stellar variety show line-up.

The always-popular Howie Morrison Jnr will be the 2024 Master of Ceremony and will welcome another glittering array of stars to the Eastern Bay’s crowd.

Headline act Tomorrow People have released two full-length albums, two EPs, 29 radio singles, 18 music videos, and five music features.

Their fourth EP, BBQ Reggae, debuted at number one in the New Zealand Top 40. With their sunshine reggae genre, mid-tempo sound and dancehall ragga influences, they are considered the hardest-working band in the country due to their self-produced music, video design, and marketing.

Hollie Smith has an extensive and dynamic career that has included national and international tours in Canada, the US, UK and performances at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival, wowing 50,000 audience members.

She has received 10 New Zealand Music awards and nominations, put out several number one albums and collaborated with stars like Boh Runga, Anika Moa, and Mara TK.

Country legend Dennis Marsh has released 29 albums, two which reached No 1 on the New Zealand albums chart, four gold albums and six platinum albums.  In 2019, Marsh received the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, the highest honour for a New Zealand entertainer.

In the 2020 New Year Honours, Marsh was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to music and fundraising.

Hamo Dell is influenced by R'n'B and reggae. Her vocals are layered in harmonies, with a voice that is incomparable. Her tone is rich and smooth with a manoeuverability that can reach notes with ease. Her voice features on the award-winning album BBQ Reggae by Tomorrow People.

Ōtautahi native Marley Sola had his first taste of the music industry at aged 17 as a member of Moorhouse on the first season of X-Factor NZ. A powerful live performer, Sola has performed with Aaradnha, Sons of Zion, Hollie Smith, Maisey Rika and Seth Haapu.

Jaedyn Randell voiced the character Moana in the Te Reo Māori version of the Disney film Moana. This year, Randell competed in The Voice Australia, finishing runner-up performing Snow Angel by Reneé Rapp.

Te Pumanawa o Toku Ate Rogers returns to Kawerau. This young performer has become a regular performer with the prestigious Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, performing at their annual concerts.

Whakatāne raised Takerei Hikuroa-Peck and Howie Morrison quartet singer describes himself to be humbled, honoured and proud to be working with talented and top-class musicians.

Jack Grace from Rotorua has forged a 30-year career in music, sharing the stage with international artists such as Tom Jones and his childhood idol, Engelbert Humperdinck.

Returning to Kawerau is Rewa Ututaonga who from childhood has done what comes naturally – singing stunningly.

From Kawerau, Nikau Grace has performed with Sol3 Mio at Spark Arena; at Opera in the Pa; was a semi-finalist in Māori Television’s 5 Minutes of Fame 2021 and won a New Music Development Grant with Hollie Smith.

Teiringatahi “Ngatahi” Webster-Tarei was this year announced as a “duchess” for the Royal Family Dance Crew. She has a background in performing arts and has appeared on the television series K-Pop Academy. Dancing for the Royal Family Dance Crew was the next step in her career. Ngatahi will be joined by her dance crew at this year’s Christmas in the Park.

Musical director Ben Gilgan brings along The Kawerau Christmas Showband; containing six of New Zealand’s most accomplished musicians who have provided musical accompaniment to major international celebrities. The showband, under Ben’s directorship, will support the Evening Show performers.

Community Christmas Concert (afternoon show): 12noon-5pm

Community Christmas Concert director Liana Kerei has pulled together a show that will be another celebration of local talent from across the Eastern Bay region.

It will feature emcees Colin Magee and Aroha Ruha-Hiraka, Kawerau South School Kapa Haka, headliners GS23, a tribute Band and video of our loved ones who have passed over the year, Kotahi Tatou, bands Fusion, Soul Purpose and Soul Tear and Anaia, Nikita Tapiki, Whakatāne Steps Dance Group, Lylla-Grace and a performance by Kawerau Pūtauaki School.

Kawerau Christmas in the Park event timetable

10.00am: Christmas parade floats meet at Ron Hardie Recreation Centre

11.00am: New World Kawerau Santa Parade starts, and completes one lap of town before ending behind the Ron Hardie Rec Centre

12 noon–5pm: Radio 1XX Community Christmas Concert including prize-giving of Santa Parade

6.30pm-10pm: Evening variety show and fireworks (if permitted)