Cartoon character costumes and performers such as stilt walkers, pictured last year in the Orewa Santa Parade, are in high demand, which was one reason for cancellation of this year’s parade. After cancellation of both the Orewa Santa Parade...... Read More

One of the biggest events on the Hibiscus Coast calendar – the Rodders Beach Festival – will celebrate its 10th anniversary next month. More than 500 classic cars from around New Zealand are expected to gather in Orewa over three days (January...... Read More

Colour, laughter and music filled the Mahurangi College Hall at the annual Pasifika Festival, organised by the Mahu Community Vision Trust, on Saturday November 25. The event showcased the traditional songs and dances of the island nations of Kiribati,...... Read More

Matakana School field was full of fun-loving families enjoying food, music, games and gift shopping on Friday, November 23, for the school’s inaugural Christmas Fair. The plant and book stalls did a roaring trade, but it was the Christmas gifts,...... Read More

The Wellsford Santa Parade reaped the benefits of taking a ‘do or die’ approach to their event on Saturday November 24. Despite looming storm clouds and gloomy weather forecasts, the parade organisers decided not to cancel and the parade...... Read More

Optimism and determination won the day in Maungaturoto on Sunday, November 25, when a debatable decision to go ahead with the primary school’s annual Car & Bike Show paid off. Torrential rain the previous day and more on the morning itself threatened...... Read More

Carols on the Canal was first held in 1995, and the highlight remains the same – Santa cruising up the Gulf Harbour canal on a Coastguard Hibiscus boat to the delight of the children. This year’s event, on Saturday, December 15, takes place...... Read More

Fiddlers are being encouraged to sharpen their bows for the annual Scottish Fiddle Competition, which will be held as part of the 148th Waipu Highland Games on January 1. This year will mark a decade since the competition was re-introduced after a...... Read More

All the thrills and spills of the rodeo will return to Warkworth Showgrounds on January 1, and once again the rodeo promises to sort the real cowboys from the wannabes. The Warkworth Rodeo falls in the middle of the Christmas circuit of 11 rodeos in...... Read More

Around 100 volunteers will take a break from their own Christmas Day festivities this month to lend a hand at the Hibiscus Coast Christmas Lunch. From 12 noon onwards, members of the Salt Community Trust and Northgate Baptist Church will be slicing...... Read More