Kiwiana Floats and Christmas Cheer at the Seeka Te Puke Christmas Float Parade 2024

Kiwiana Floats and Christmas Cheer Take Over the Town!

It really was a “Ho, Ho, Ho”

Celebrating 65 years of the Kiwifruit and a Kiwi Christmas, the Seeka Te Puke Christmas Float Parade featured an extraordinary display of talent and creativity, with floats that were truly among the best ever.

There were so many smiling faces throughout the Parade and one of the biggest from Tuku Hunt, the 8-and-a-half-year-old, nominated by her teacher at Te Ranga School, who alongside Santa on his float with a smile as bright as Christmas itself!

This year’s Christmas Float Parade saw 25 incredible entries across three categories, as well as individual participants. The categories included Community Organisations, sponsored by AFFCO Rangiuru; Business and Commercial, sponsored by Zespri International; and Education, sponsored by Towbar Guy. The prestigious Supreme Theme Award, sponsored by DMS Progrowers, saw the winner take home the Te Puke Jewellers Parade Trophy. Despite a light drizzle in the morning, offering a welcome break from the recent heat, the weather didn’t dampen spirits or deter the vibrant floats from shining in all their glory.

A special gift from Santa thanks to Christmas Magic Makers, Te Puke. Tuku Hunt rode alongside Santa in the Sleigh in her fantastic Christmas outfit.

Cheers to the Winners

DMS Progrowers Supreme Theme Award and Te Puke Jewellers trophy: Ōtamarākau School.

The judges commented that Ōtamarākau School were the standout as they really captured the theme : “Celebrating Kiwifruit and a Kiwiana Christmas”, but was hard to go past Mcleod Cranes with their Santa sack full of children and Grinch Character.

Affco Rangiuru – Community Organisations

First: Harvest Church

Second: Te Puke Baptist Church

Third: Te Puke Scout Group

Highly commended: Te Puke Playcentre.

Tow Bar Guy – Education Sector

First: Ōtamarākau School;

Second: Fairhaven School;

Third: Te Ranga School

Zespri International – Business and Commercial

First: 4 Woods Early Learning Centre

Second: McLeod Cranes

Third: Eastpack

Highly commended: Seeka Limited

Leyton Dowman Trophy: John Espin

Celebrations held on stage in Jubilee Park at a Kiwiana Christmas Market

The weather might have been a bit frightful, but the atmosphere at the Te Puke Kiwiana Christmas Market and Fair was truly delightful. Our only remaining performers, Rosalie Dale and Finley Burgess from Diamond Studios, kicked off the market with their energetic Hip Hop duo and solos. A big shoutout to our MVP MC, Mr. P Leaia Pelesala from Harvest Church, who ensured everything ran smoothly despite the rain!

We saw a fantastic turnout for the Float Parade prize-giving, and we had a hilarious moment when Todd McLay experienced a voice effect mishap during his speech – kudos to him for being such a good sport. The event featured a wonderful array of stallholders and food vendors.

Thanks for the massive town effort!

There are so many people to thank for making the parade such a success, our long-time Parade Marshalls Peter Miller and Paul Thomas, and Marshall in training Maria Moore, Santa and Santas sleigh transporter Nick Perett, our new Town Crier, Glenn Ward, our judges, Sarah Coates, Councillors Laura Rae and Grant Dally, who had an incredibly difficult job, Debbie Smith our 1st Aider on site, EPIC Board members, Antoinne Pol-Simon, Aaron Ralf, Brody Hide, Marie Douglas, Mike Littlejohn (LJ) and Ash Peat.

A heartfelt thank you to the Made in Te Puke Trust team, especially Dale and Holly, for their invaluable assistance on the day. Additionally, thanks to Steve and Scott from Towbar Guy for their support with both the market and the parade early in the morning. We are truly grateful for the incredible community we have in Te Puke. We’re excited about next year’s event, which we plan to make even bigger and better – stay tuned!

Meri Kirihimete, from our EPIC Team, Rebecca Larsen, Cathy Dale, Sally Benning.