Thank you to the good people of east Auckland.
Well, all I can say is that was certainly an endurance test and a good indicator of our committee and volunteers’ determination to get through the 69th Howick Santa Parade.
And despite the weather, we got there.
I was up at 5am watching the weather forecast intently on three different websites and really searching for any ray of good news or sunshine, but the weather gods had other plans in store for us.
The decision was made by 8am, with no drastic weather warning in place, that we would forge ahead. Rain wasn’t going to stop our community spirit and efforts.
The day started at 6am with traffic, sound and operational setup and by 9am the volunteers, markets and entertainers were arriving. We had more than 30 entertainers on the day, 65-plus floats, 30 market stalls, sports clubs, service groups, sponsored business fun and more.
The hype and hustle and bustle in the streets was growing with one hot favourite of the day, The Dunk Tank that was outside The Apothecary Cafe with Ted Waters, Richie Barnett, Simeon Brown, Mark Stevenson and local principals Justine Driver, Michael Earl, Ed Roper, Genee Crowley and Matthew Cooke taking part. For them it was all about the kids and having some good community-spirited fun.
By 12 noon the community was arriving in droves. I walked around the back to capture the feel of all the float setup and all I could hear and see was a carnival of fun happening around the back…laughter, singing, smiling children, people just getting amongst it for the parade.
I looked down Wellington Street and felt a wave of emotion as I could see hundreds of people walking up Wellington Street. All I could see was umbrellas as far back walking in single file from the Howick Domain. The people were coming, the parade was again to be a success.
It obviously wasn’t our normal large crowd but still an incredibly impressive amount of people considering the weather.
I, the Trustees and the committee, would like to thank these people/groups who made the day a huge success and supported the community event from day one.
Local Groups
- East Auckland Tourism
- Howick Historical Village
- Uxbridge Arts & Culture
- East FM
- Greg Roy and the Hot Rod Club
- Brit & Euro Vintage Car Show Committee
- Howick Classic & Vintage Car Club
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Ronald McDonald House
- Arts out East
- Pest Free
- Howick Brass Band
- Howick Club
- Cockle Bay School for the dunk tank
- The Howick 175 Committee
- Howick Coastguard
- Lions Club
- Polish Museum
- Pakuranga Chinese Association
- Howick Community Patrol
- Rotary Groups
Businesses
- Barfoot & Thompson Howick
- Andrew Simms Motors
- PIC Insurance
- BNZ Howick
- All the local principals for taking part
- Two M photography
- Bathurst Brown Design
- Hugo Media
- More FM
- Times Newspapers
- Signs Formula
- Stocktim/Control Shift
- KMT Accounts Services
- Haribo Lollies
- Kaleidoprint
- Barrel Inn
- Rices Mall – Wally & Phil Rice
- New World
- Four Square Cockle Bay
- Union Road Bakery
- Scholastics Book Club
 People
- Phil Taylor
- Andrew Laing
- Marcus Preston
- All the local principals for taking part
- Mark Stevenson
- Ted Waters
- Jim Donald
- Our 120 Volunteers
- Michael from Michaels Emporium
- John Spiller – Judge
- Reay Neben – Judge
- Pip Burns – Judge
- Santa
Sports Clubs
- Howick Hornets
- Pakuranga Rugby Club
- GKR Karate
- Fencibles United
- East Skate Club
- Jump Rope NZ
Services
- Howick Police
- First Aid Responders
- Fire Brigade Volunteers
I think I have managed to capture everything (so sorry if I have missed anyone), Lastly, but most importantly, a thank you to the Volunteer Trustees and Committee: John Russell, Pip Burns, Lorraine Jonson and the Committee: Laura Bredenbeck, Sami Smart, Katrina Cole, Leilani Pepper, Damian Light, Gina Grant, Claire Atkinson, Brendon Peterson and Karen Taylor.
The winning floats were: 1st Place – Cockle Bay Primary, 2nd Place – Howick, Cockle Bay and Pakuranga-rahihi Playcentre, 3rd Place – Howick Historical Village. Congratulations to them and all the floats. The judges were very impressed.
The 2022 Volunteer of the year went to Laura Bredenbeck. Laura won this award due to her dedication and hard work on growing the family zone, she took what she was given, used her initiative, implemented new systems and contacts and delivered a fabulous event within the event. Congratulations Laura.
2023 date – This is a tradition after the parade to announce the following year’s date. This was set to Sunday, December 10, 2023. We can’t wait and the planning started this morning.
That’s a wrap now for 2022. Thank you again to all involved. The trustees/committee and I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a safe and enjoyable summer with your family and friends
Bo Burns
Voluntary Event Organiser
