The countdown is on for the fun family day out, the New Years Picnic event on January 2nd 2025, 10am Claris Sports and Social Club. This event is the biggest annual fundraiser for Aotea Family Support Group and could not happen without the generous support of businesses and many community members. It is incredibly heartwarming to see and be apart of.

Legendary duo Sean Kelly & Gerry O’Neil from The Celtic Connection will be entertaining you for the day, supported by local artists Zarina and Shaun, and Shane Langford. Aotea Audio are supporting the day with their sound equipment! Thanks guys. The wonderful Brett O’Riley will once again be MC for the Auction. There will be plenty of seating and shade provided, thanks to Kaitoke school and the O’Shea’s, but it would be cool for people to still bring a picnic blanket / umbrella. There will be a fantastic selection of stall holders and food vendors. If you haven’t already, please get in contact to book a stall (contact details below).

There are lots of kids games planned, with the tennis court sectioned into various kids games, a space for the littlies to colour and play, water slide and the always fun and entertaining tug of war, sack race, egg and spoon, hobby horse racing and an adult milk sculling competition!

There is an incredible Women’s Pamper Raffle going on sale Monday 16th December at THE ROCKS, winner drawn at the event. A huge thanks to the generous supporters for this. Items include; $100 Aotea Beauty Voucher; 1hr Florence Therapies Massage; Private Yoga Class, Linda Power; Nature Bathing Experience, Vicky Kyan; Peppermint 

NEW YEARS PICNIC COUNTDOWN

foot cream, Kaitoke Wilds; Te Ao Haurongo Hydrosol’; Homeopath Rescue Remedy and Arnica, Linda Rowe; Jenz Jewels; Homemade goodies, Danny Blackwell; Bubbles, vodka, cocktail shaker, The Rocks, cocktail glasses, chocolate in a beautiful basket! This a great opportunity to do something nice for your lady – got to be in to win, so go get your tickets!

We have an incredible line up of Auction Items! 

Here is a draft of auctions items (yet to be finalised): 

Surf Lesson 2x people – Kelly O’Toole 

Wake-e-Board voucher, Bryce McKenzie 

Gardeners Glory: 3 bags organic potting mix, 2 organic compost (Aotea Gas and Garden), 1 truck load mulch, cage of dry manuka firewood (Chris Broadbent), $50 ITM voucher 

ITM vouchers 

$100 Okiwi Passion voucher 

Trailer Load (~2 cube ) dry pine – Bow Davenport 

1 cube hot mix firewood – Barney Scott 

1 cube hot mix firewood – anonymous (we know who you are) 

5 cube hot mix firewood, 5 cube mulch, Aotea Arb, Sid West 

Barrier Air return Ticket 2x Adults 

Sealink Return Trip, Vehicle, 2x Adults, 2x Children 

Stihl battery Garden Pruner set, Tools for the Job 

$500 worth of Bunnings Goodies 

Hooked on Barrier – West Coast Sightseeing Tour, 2 adults and 4 kids or 4 adults. 

Prints form artist Helen McLorinan 

Carol Comer – Framed photography 

“Taste of Aotea Voucher”: Mulberry Grove Thai, Pah Beach cafe, Currach, Kats Kitchen Barrier Social Club, Fat Puku, Burger Shack, Baked on Barrier, Candy Shells Kitchen and Aotea Brewery 

Wettie – kids spear gun and mask and snorkel 

Bottle of Island Gin 

Gulf Fuels vouchers 

Coastguard – life jacket 

Stonewall Store vouchers 

Sterling silver Monstera drop earings Tania Sutherland

Plus some great goodies as giveaways/ prizes: ABC voucher, GBI Bee.co gift boxes, hand cream, t-shirts, Free and Feral beanie and hat, The rocks T-shirts, Barfoot and Thompson beach bags, towels, and other goodies! 

Once again, I can’t thank everyone enough for their generous support. If you would be keen to help set up some marquees with me on January 1st, help with pack down or be keen to volunteer some of your time on the day of the event please get in contact. 

It’s a HUGE task to set up and I would really appreciate some help. 

Contact Taryn Wilks E: newyearpicnic@gmail.com Phone: 0220445570 or through facebook