Free Christmas Events in Whangarei this season
Loads of of free fun opportunities for all the family are coming up in our District between now and the New Year.
Parades
* 30 November promises to be a busy day for many with the Kamo Christmas Parade kicking off at 11.30am, followed by the Christmas Festival at 4pm at Semenoff Stadium
* The Hikurangi Christmas Festival and parade will be held on 7 December
* Onerahi’s Christmas Festival (no parade) and Ruakaka’s Christmas Parade will be held on 14 December
* And the traditional Christmas Eve Christmas Parade in Waipu will be held in the evening on 24 December.
Decorations
* Christmas-themed street flags are going up across our District
* A Christmas tree will be going up at the Town Basin in time for the Town Basin Christmas Festival, including fashion show at The Boatshed on 6 December.
Markets
* The Saturday Artisan’s Markets have kicked off at their new location by Reyburn House and will be held every Saturday
* The Friday Food Market’s have also re-located to the Reyburn House location and will be held on 22 November and 20 December.
Events
* 30 November the Christmas Festival, 4pm at Semenoff Stadium
* On 20 December, a Santa’s Grotto will be open in Cameron Street – people can grab a bite at the Town Basin, and then wander into the centre of town for some fun.
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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30.2% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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69.8% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Something we all seem to have forgotten
An Obituary to Common Sense printed in the London Times
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated valuable lessons like:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- And maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge)
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher
fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death;
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,
-by his wife, Discretion,
-by his daughter, Responsibility,
-and by his son, Reason
He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;
- I Know My Rights,
- I Want It Now,
- Someone Else Is To Blame,
- I'm A Victim,
- Pay me for Doing Nothing
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing…
This is a modified version of a text that is originally attributed to Lori Borgman. However, it is more true today than it was when first written. It is not the version I remember, but it still gets the point across. Enjoy and remember.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
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