Papakura carols evening kicks off festive season

Papakura kicked off its festive season in fine style on Friday evening with the annual Papakura Carols in the Park, held at the town's picturesque Central Park near the central business district.

Kautamua Brian Joyce opened the evening with a mihi and karakia, and Papakura Local Board member Hine Joyce-Tahere welcomed the audience to the event.

Papakura Local Board funded and supported the event along with the recent Papakura Fireworks Spectacular and the Santa Parade that followed on from the Carols the next day.

The evening featured a youth showcase of performances from Papakura High School's talented music and dance students including the band Urban Legacy, dancer Duncan Armstrong and solo singer Leabroune Leou.

The main part of the evening featured performances from the Tongan Community Association choir anda Papakura combined choir comprising community group and church choir members.

The Tongan Community Association choir performed three traditional Tongan hymns Ahake Kainga, Koe tala’ofa and I he hoko a e kuonga and the popular  Christmas carols Santa Claus is coming to town and O holy night,  then stayed on stage to join the combined choir for a programme of  favourite carols that included:

•  Come all ye faithful
  
• The first Nöel
  
• Angels we have heard on high
  
• Silver bells
  
• Jingle bell rock
  
• Feliz Navidad
  

MCs for the evening were Papakura Youth Forum members Matekino Marshall and Nirvana Harris, who were also dance stars in their own right when the evening's strong positive community vibe got the better of them.

More than 1500 people enjoyed a full two hour programme of entertainment.

The evening concluded with an all-in singalong with both choirs led by members of Urban Legacy and inviting the audience to join in with Silent Night and an encore of Feliz Navidad.