Transcript
Approximately 68 per cent of Ōtara's population is of Pacific descent.
This year, thanks to the Christmas Present Drop, many Māori and Pacific children in Ōtara will have a present this festive season.
Project leader Johana Temomo says the idea that sparked the initiative came to her six months ago.
"I was in a park, working all day, I saw a lot of children and not really many adults around, just a lot of children. They're playing all day and I just thought, wouldn't it be great to give something back to the children and why not in Otara because it's such a great place and the people and the community have such a great heart."
Ms Temomo says every single kindergarten, primary school and intermediate in Ōtara will be part of the first Christmas Present Drop.
She says principals and teachers of the schools were in disbelief that their children would be receiving such a donation.
"They just couldn't believe it. Disbelief. New presents? Ten dollar value new presents? Yeah.. Really? A lot of the principals have said, oh we've 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 ripped."
Social worker Soane Papali'i deals with some of the country's most vulnerable communities in Ōtara by offering support and mentoring services.
Mr Papali'i says this is a great opportunity to give back to the children to hopefully inspire them.
"I don't know what their 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 you know there were times when we were financially disabled from getting presents, so we want to give that opportunity to every single child here in Otara."
10,000 presents is Ms Temomo's goal to make sure every student under the age of 13 years receives a gift.
Samoan former professional boxer David Tua is championing the project and will be dressed as a Santa on the week of school visits to deliver the presents.
Former rugby league player Ruben Wiki and New Zealand professional boxer Shane Cameron have also volunteered their time to act as Santas.
Ms Temomo says it's a community driven event with local businesses lending support.
Public health team leader of Southseas Healthcare 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 Otara working alongside our people, so 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."
Mr Papali'i says a project like this could be just the spark that a child in Ōtara needs.
"Otara is vibrant and it's ripe with culture. Otara has had its stigma, its had its fair share of history, but we want to break that mentality of poverty. You know we are not poor, we've got parents who are working. Yeah, we do have families who struggle, who obviously live beyond their means or don't have enough to make ends meet, but you know we're going to break that cycle, whatever that looks like."
Ms Temomo says that once the schools have received their presents, the rest of the presents will go to children who attend the Christmas in the Park event.
She also encourages families in Ōtara who have children that do not attend school to get in touch.
