It was a parade for the ages. The Seeka Te Puke Christmas Float Parade delivered in spades on Saturday, December 6, with about 40 entries and a colossal effort from those taking part.

The steampunk theme was embraced by many with spectacular results.

Sally Benning, of organisers Epic Te Puke, said people were blown away by the response to the theme.

“If we’re honest, I think we were too. The theme had been carried through various events during the year, culminating in the parade.

“We really didn’t anticipate that so many people would have taken it on board, and not only did they take it on board but the lengths they went to,” she said.

Benning was involved in organising seven parades in the early 2000s and three in recent years, but had also seen most of the ones in between.

“I’ve never seen so much effort go into so many floats, ever. I’m really glad I wasn’t a judge.”

Those who were judging named Fairhaven School’s entry the supreme theme winner.

Fairhaven School/Toitoi Manawa won the Supreme Theme Prize. Photo / Stuart Whitaker

This year was the turn of the school’s Māori immersion unit Toitoi Manawa to organise the entry.

Deputy principal Tatai Takuira-Mita, who oversees Toitoi Manawa, said the steampunk theme was a challenge.

“When the theme came out, we were wondering how we were going to put our te ao Māori spin on it?” she said.

“Our float was around remembering and honouring our tūpuna, so we dressed in the way our ancestors would have dressed – we had a whare on there, a waka and a time machine looking towards the future.”

Takuira-Mita was at the prizegiving where the trophy was awarded and took it back to the school.

“Everybody was still there, putting things away, and we came in the gate beeping and held up the trophy and all the children came running over – they were so excited.”

Takuira-Mita said thanks must go to Hollie Hauraik, the unit’s team leader, who organised the float and had “some really good parent helpers” from the Toitoi Manawa whānau.

Parade numbers were boosted by several vehicles and drivers that turned up on the day, with Benning estimating there were about 40 entries.

“Entry-wise it was certainly more than there has been for the last couple of years.

“I just want to say a huge thank you to everybody – all the float makers and everybody who came, it was just a fabulous day.”

After the parade there was a market in Jubilee Park.

Results

DMS Pro Growers Supreme Theme Prize: Fairhaven School/Toitoi Manawa

Affco Rangiuru community organisations

1. Te Puke Baptist Church

2. Te Puke Scouts

3. Aqua Belles – Te Puke Swim School

Tow Bar Guy Education

1. Fairhaven School/Toitoi Manawa

2. Ōtamarākau School

3. Rangiuru School

Highly commended: Te Ranga School

Zespri International – business and commercial

1. McLeod Cranes High Ab and Transport

2. Te Puke Dance School

3. St Andrews Preschool

Highly commended: Seeka