Friday 30 November 2012
Media release – for immediate use

Christmas Festival Returns to CBD

The pre-Christmas rituals have begun again this year in the CBD. The Christmas decorations are going up, including the giant Christmas Tree in Majestic Square, and Wanganui Retailers have begun to decorate their windows in Christmas theme and stock their shelves with beautiful gifts, treats and stocking fillers for all ages. Mainstreet Wanganui has revised its successful Christmas Festival again this year to bring some Christmas Cheer to the town centre.
Kids love Santa’s Travelling Caravan. Santa will be visiting the CBD from Monday 17 December to Christmas Eve (except Sunday) you can visit him and his helpful elf each morning between 9.30am and 12noon for free. Make sure you bring your camera down to get a snapshot with the big man and tell him your Christmas wishes. His caravan will be in a different location each day so visit
www.mainstreetwanganui.co.nz to find out where he will be on the day you want to visit.

Late Night Shopping is a great way to grab those last minute presents you over looked or sneak out and get a present for your significant other. That’s why Mainstreet retailers will once again be open for late night shopping on Thursday 20 December until 9pm. There will also be music on the street to add to the festive atmosphere and look out for the Christmas Fairy and Santa as they roam about the shops.

Retailers are also once again competing to win the best Christmas Window Display. Many retailers pull out all the stops and create beautiful window displays for the festive season. Mainstreet has organised judges to help decide which ones are the best. Winners will be published on Mainstreet’s website on Thursday 20 December. Come down to the CBD to see the window creations and pick your favourite!

If you’re looking for a festive activity for the kids then look no further than the Whanganui Regional Museum. They have created the Figgy Pudding Fun Quiz for children aged 5 to 14 years. Head along to the Museum between 1 and 20 December to complete the quiz and go in the draw to win a box of goodies for the food bank. Then on Thursday 20 December there will be a screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol at the Davis Lecture Theatre, 6.30pm for just $2 or free if you have completed the Figgy Pudding Fun Quiz.

Mainstreet Christmas Festival
When: Monday 17 to Monday 24 December
Where: Wanganui CBD
Santa’s Travelling Caravan: Monday 17 to Monday 24 December (not on Sunday), 9.30am to 12noon
Late Night Shopping: Thursday 20 December, 5pm to 9pm
The Muppet Christmas Carol: Thursday 20 December, 6.30pm

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>