Celebrate Children's Week in Manukau

Te Ora o Manukau – Manukau the Healthy City’s Child Advocacy Group invites all parents, caregivers and grandparents to celebrate and honour the city’s children during Children’s Week 2008.

Members of the group have organised a great line-up of family-friendly events throughout the city including the South Auckland Caregivers Children’s Day Celebration at the Dingwall Trust, aquatic games at Manukau Leisure Services pools, Manukau Parks’ beach day at Maraetai Beach and the Blend-in Clendon event at Clendon Recreation Centre and Reserve. A full list of events, times and dates is attached.

Child Advocacy Coordinator Alison Searle says, “This year’s theme is listening and talking. We encourage all Manukau families to spend some time together during Children’s Week.

“If you can’t make it to one of our events then spend quality time with your kids by walking to the local park, baking a cake, making a daisy chain or reading a book. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to show your children how much you love and appreciate them,” says Alison.

More fantastic ideas for celebrating Children’s Day at home, with family/whanau, friends and neighbours are available at www.childrensday.org.nz.

Children’s week events in Manukau:

South Auckland Caregivers Association Children’s Day Celebration -
Dingwall Trust grounds, 8 Dingwall Place, Papatoetoe. Sunday, 1 March, 10am to 3pm: Farmer Paul, bouncy castle, Rock Up, displays, free sausage sizzle. Bring the family!

Beach Day at Maraetai Beach - Sunday, 1 March, 11am to 2pm: Wharf fishing competition, big dig, sand sculpture and beach volleyball. Prizes! More info 262 5104, www.manukau.govt.nz/events

Free Childrens Day activities, Sunday, 1 March, 1pm to 3pm. Aqua run and pool games:
Manurewa Aquatics Centre
Papatoetoe Centennial Pool
Moana-nui-a-kiwa Leisure Centre
Lloyd Elsmore pool
Otara Leisure Centre

Manurewa Leisure Centre
Sunday, 1 March 10am, activities: Sing Star competition, bouncy castle, under 5's gymnastics, big floor games, Play Dough area, arts and crafts, give-away packs.

Blend-in Clendon event Sponsored by CYFS, Work and Income, NZ Police and the Child Advocacy Group. Sunday, 1 March 10am to 2pm at the Clendon Community Recreation Centre and Reserve: Disco and outdoor basketball, face painting, BBQ, treasure hunt, bouncy castle. Bring a rug for a family picnic.

Manukau Parks glow worm walk Booking essential, contact 262 5104.
Monday, 9 March, Totara Park 9.30 to 10pm

Manukau Libraries: See your local for a range of Children’s Week activities.

ENDS

Background on Te Ora o Manukau – Manukau the Healthy City and Child Advocacy Group

Healthy City
Manukau is one of over 1800 communities worldwide involved in the World Health Organisation project, Healthy Cities.

The World Health Organisation recognises that health agencies must work together if health and wellbeing of a community is to be improved.

Child Advocacy Group
Established in 1993 the Child Advocacy Group strives for better opportunities for Manukau’s children. Driving this is the belief that children are our taonga and future and those who are nurtured and supported throughout their childhood are more likely to reach their full potential in all aspects of life. The group is made up of Healthy City signatories and other health, education and social organisational representatives with an interest in children’s issues.