The annual Children’s Day celebration, held on Sunday 3rd March 2024 at the Gore Multisports Complex, brought the community together with a range of fun activities. Around 400–500 people attended, enjoying ice skating, a sausage sizzle, face painting, and the Police Speed Racer challenge. The Kids Hub was busy with activities, and Hokonui Runanga provided hundreds of fruit cups, making sure tamariki had plenty to enjoy. With no entry fees, families could participate freely, try new activities, and connect with local service providers.

The Hokonui Hauora Fund helped make the day extra special by funding two bouncy castles with their own generators, allowing flexible and safe placement across the site. The castles were a big hit, giving children hours of fun while caregivers relaxed or took photos. After several years without them, the planning team was thrilled by the positive response and plans to include bouncy castles again next year. The event highlighted the kaupapa He taonga te tamaiti – Children are our greatest gift – by creating a welcoming space for the community to celebrate and invest in the future of tamariki.