The community that saved Christmas1 min read

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What a turnaround for Onehunga! Just weeks after heartbreak spread through the community over the cancellation of the town’s much-loved Christmas Parade, the event is officially back on – thanks to an overwhelming wave of community support.

When Business Onehunga announced that the parade would not go ahead this year, locals were gutted. Social media was flooded with comments calling the news “terrible” and “very sad for the children and adults who enjoy the parade.”

The decision to cancel followed structural changes earlier in the year that left Business Onehunga with limited funds, capacity and resources. Manager, Victoria Puxty, says the parade’s cancellation was unavoidable at the time. But after recent media coverage, the community rallied. Offers of help poured in from local businesses and residents determined to save the parade.

“We’ve been inundated with support,” says Victoria. “Several generous businesses have already volunteered time, funds, and resources to help make it happen – it’s fantastic news.”

The revived Onehunga Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, 22nd November, and will see floats gather at the Onehunga Railway Station carpark, before making their way up and down Onehunga Mall, bringing festive cheer back to the heart of the town.