November 26, 2025
Families set for fun, support and connection
I t’s not often you hear the word free in this economy. But that’s exactly what’s on offer at tomorrow’s second Hakatere Whānau Day, which has free food, entertainment, prizes and more on offer.
The event at the Ashburton Domain from 11am until 3pm is run by He Waka Tapu, a Kaupapa Māori organisation, which works to improve community wellbeing, and was started just last year.
“Because it’s so close to Christmas, and things can be quite expensive, He Waka Tapu started this free Whānau Day for families to attend,” event MC Te Koare “TK” Paul said.
“Free entertainment, free kai and prizes. Something exciting to have towards the end of the year.” Fellow MC Martha Daniels agreed, saying it was an event to take the pressure off of families during what can be a tough time.
“With the price of living just skyrocketing, it is a good thing to put on for our community,” she said. “Prior to having the Whānau Day, we used to have a community kai in the [He Waka Tapu] building, but it wasn’t really reaching our hapori (community) as much as we wanted.
“So the ideas started flowing.” The event is about fun and games, but also a chance to connect with the services that exist in Mid Canterbury. Everyone from EA Networks to the Tangata Atumotu Trust, which delivers health and social services to the Pasifika community, to the Heart Foundation to Mid Canterbury Rugby will have a stall set up.
“Maybe 70% of the support services available in our community will be in attendance,” Daniels said. “Each person, depending on what their needs are, they can go have a chat and see if that service is for them. “This takes away that pressure people may feel when engaging with support services individually.
By Anisha Satya
Families set for fun, support and connection
I t’s not often you hear the word free in this economy. But that’s exactly what’s on offer at tomorrow’s second Hakatere Whānau Day, which has free food, entertainment, prizes and more on offer.
The event at the Ashburton Domain from 11am until 3pm is run by He Waka Tapu, a Kaupapa Māori organisation, which works to improve community wellbeing, and was started just last year.
“Because it’s so close to Christmas, and things can be quite expensive, He Waka Tapu started this free Whānau Day for families to attend,” event MC Te Koare “TK” Paul said.
“Free entertainment, free kai and prizes. Something exciting to have towards the end of the year.” Fellow MC Martha Daniels agreed, saying it was an event to take the pressure off of families during what can be a tough time.
“With the price of living just skyrocketing, it is a good thing to put on for our community,” she said. “Prior to having the Whānau Day, we used to have a community kai in the [He Waka Tapu] building, but it wasn’t really reaching our hapori (community) as much as we wanted.
“So the ideas started flowing.” The event is about fun and games, but also a chance to connect with the services that exist in Mid Canterbury. Everyone from EA Networks to the Tangata Atumotu Trust, which delivers health and social services to the Pasifika community, to the Heart Foundation to Mid Canterbury Rugby will have a stall set up.
“Maybe 70% of the support services available in our community will be in attendance,” Daniels said. “Each person, depending on what their needs are, they can go have a chat and see if that service is for them. “This takes away that pressure people may feel when engaging with support services individually.
By Anisha Satya
