Johana Temomo Photo: RNZ/ Sela Jane Hopgood
Four thousand children in a south Auckland suburb in New Zealand will receive a Christmas present donated from a community-driven project.
The 'Christmas Ōtara Present Drop' is an initiative to provide something for the children of the suburb and also help take pressure off families leading up to Christmas time.
Every single kindergarten, primary school and intermediate in Ōtara will be part of the first Christmas Present Drop. The project is hoping for 10,000 gifts to be donated to ensure every student under the age of 13 in the suburb gets a gift.
Approximately 68 percent of Ōtara's population is of Pacific descent.
Project leader Johana Temomo said the idea that sparked the initiative came to her six months ago.
"I did a lot of work in Ōtara and one day I was in a park and I saw a lot of children and not really many adults around, just a lot of children.
"I worked long hours and the kids were at the park all day right till late and I thought, wouldn't it be great to give something back to these children?
"It's such a great community full of great people with big hearts, why not?" she said.
Principals and teachers of the schools were in disbelief when Ms Temomo told them about the initative.
"They kept saying 'new presents? $10 value new presents? Really?'
"We were even told by principals that they have had Christmas presents in the past and the kids will unwrap the presents and then there will be a truck with no wheels or there will be a doll that is ripped," she said.
Social worker Soane Papali'i, who deals with some of the country's most vulnerable communities in Ōtara, said it would be a chance to give back to the children to hopefully and inspire them.
Johana Temomo Photo: RNZ/ Sela Jane Aholelei Hopgood
"I don't know what these childrens' Christmas is like, but we want to brighten that up before the 25th of December.
"I remember when I was a kid, mum and dad used to work, but there were times when we were financially disabled from getting presents.
"We want to make sure we help any child in that situation ends up with a smile on their face," he said.
Samoan former professional boxer David Tua is championing the project.
David Tua Photo: RNZ / Mei Heron
David Tua will be dressed as a Santa on the week of school visits to deliver the presents as well as former rugby league player Ruben Wiki and New Zealand professional boxer Shane Cameron.
Ms Temomo said it was a community driven event with local businesses lending support.
Public health team leader of South Seas Healthcare Clinic Shaun Tautali is part of the committee offering a hand.
"It was a great opportunity for us to support it as a community organisation that are already in Ōtara working alongside our people.
"It's a really positive thing and it's Christmas and I think our contribution in a small way will help to achieve this goal," he said.
Mr Papali'i said a project like this could be just the spark that a child in Ōtara needs.
Photo: RNZ/ Sela Jane Aholelei Hopgood
"Ōtara is vibrant and it's ripe with culture. Ōtara has had its stigma, its had its fair share of history, but we want to break that mentality of poverty.
"Not all families in Ōtara are poor. Some kids come from families where both parents work.
"There are families that do struggle, who obviously live beyond their means or don't have enough to make ends meet.
"What we hope this project does for these kids is no matter what their situation is like living in Ōtara, anything is possible," he said.
Unused presents after the school visits will go to children attending the local Christmas in the Park event and the project committee also encourage families in Ōtara who have children that do not attend school to get in touch.
