Hundreds of children and their whānau gathered at Waipuna Park on Saturday, January 31, for a lively carnival celebrating the completion of the Kia Kaha te Pānui – Summer Reading Challenge.

Held from 3pm-5pm, the free end-of-summer-holidays celebration was open to children who had completed the reading challenge and marked the finale of a programme that ran throughout the school holidays across Tauranga City Libraries.

Eric Lock, 8, from Matua School enjoyed the scavenger hunt. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Tauranga City Libraries youth programmes team lead Lauren Jones said the event was designed to recognise the effort children put into reading consistently during the summer holidays.

Tauranga City Libraries Youth Programmes Team Lead Lauren Jones. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

“This is our annual Kia Kaha te Pānui finale event,” she said. “It’s about celebrating the tamariki’s mahi – all the effort they’ve put into reading, visiting the library and sharing what they’ve been reading with our staff.”

Wolfe Slater, 5, Summer Slater, 9, and Scarlett Slater, 5 at the celebration at Waipuna Park. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

The park was transformed into a bustling celebration space. Children could take part in as many activities as they liked. Popular attractions included a water balloon arena, which proved especially welcome on a hot afternoon, face painting, giant bubble play, lawn games, a game zone and a collaborative art activity.

Theo Evans, 7, from Bellevue Primary School having fun with his grandfather Nigel Shilton. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Twins Wolfe and Scarlett Slater, aged 5, completed the summer reading challenge with older sister Summer Slater, 9.

“We had to read three books and answer questions about them,” Summer said.

It was her first time doing the reading programme.

“It made you read more which is a good habit to get into. With reading – you can learn lots of stuff from it. I like reading Harry Potter and Ella Diaries.”

Lucas Liu, age 5, riding a horse from Sam’s Farmyard. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Sam’s Farmyard was a major drawcard, offering pony rides and the chance to get up close with sheep, a goat, horses, bunnies, guinea pigs and chooks.

Circus in a Flash ran a have-a-go circus workshop where tamariki (children) tried tightrope walking, juggling and aerial skills.

Dottie Crawford-Saunders enjoying Circus in a Flash’s aerial activity. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Other activities included Chinese dance, Whai Basketball shooting hoops with the professionals, and a park-wide scavenger hunt.

Storytelling sessions under a gazebo were led by Pāpāmoa Library and Community Hub team leader Michelle Englehardt, youth programme specialist Penny Guy, and former library manager Jill Best from Friends of the Library.

Pāpāmoa Library and Community Hub Team Leader Michelle Englehardt, Youth Programme Specialist Penny Guy, and former library manager Jill Best from Friends of the Library. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Theo Evans, 7, who attends Bellevue Primary School, was at the park celebration with his grandfather, Nigel Shilton.

“Theo’s a very good reader and loves reading,” Shilton said. “He loves Minecraft, and Plants vs. Zombies.”

Sam’s Farmyard included rabbits. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Jones estimated more than 1000 people attended the event, with about 900 invitations issued to children who completed the challenge.

“They’ve put in a lot of effort, and we’re really proud of them and like to reward them with a big celebration they can enjoy with their caregivers and whānau,” Jones said.

Kathryn Cass with her daughter, 20-month-old Emily Cass at the summer reading celebration. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Throughout the afternoon, children collected their summer reading challenge certificates, took part in the scavenger hunt and headed to the Waipuna Pavilion to find out whether they had won spot prizes or major prize draws.

Sam’s Farmyard included chickens. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Eric Lock, 8, from Matua School, spent time during the carnival completing the fun scavenger hunt.

“He read about 80 books this summer holidays,” his mother Awa Lock said.

There was plenty of shade under the park’s large grove of trees, where families relaxed between activities or watched children play on the nearby playground.

Winners of prizes in the the Kia Kaha te Pānui – Summer Reading Challenge. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

The Kia Kaha te Pānui – Summer Reading Challenge launched early-December and was open to children and teens aged zero-18, with tailored challenges for Mini Reads, Summer Reads and Teen Reads.

Winners of prizes in the the Kia Kaha te Pānui – Summer Reading Challenge. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Participants completed three library check-ins during the holidays, sharing what they’d been reading, with additional chances to win prizes by submitting book reviews.

As the summer holidays drew to a close, Saturday’s carnival provided a fitting finale – celebrating reading, community and a love of stories in the heart of Waipuna Park.