Waimarino Christmas Appeal 2026
Support the Waimarino Christmas Appeal by donating to help us bring joy to our neighbours in need this festive season.
Ohakune, Manawatu-Wanganui
Christmas is meant to be a time of excitement, kindness, and magic. For many whānau in our community, however, it can also be a time of stress and worry.
The Waimarino Christmas Appeal is here to help make Christmas brighter for local children and families in Raetihi, Ohakune and Rangataua who need a little extra support.
This year there is no set theme. The focus is on people. Supporting local whānau, easing pressure where we can, and helping Christmas feel a little lighter, warmer, and more joyful for those who need it most.
Behind the scenes, our Christmas Appeal elves are all volunteers. They give their time to shop, sort, wrap, and deliver gifts, spreading Christmas magic right across the district. Every donation goes directly into helping make Christmas special, with the care and generosity of our local community at the heart of everything we do.
There are lots of ways to get involved. You can donate money here, gift a present, join in our raffles, or support one of our fundraising events. We will be sharing all of these opportunities on our Facebook page, so keep an eye out for ways to help spread the Christmas cheer.
Every contribution, big or small, helps create moments of joy, surprise, and relief on Christmas morning. Together, we can make sure no child misses out on the magic of Christmas.
Thank you for helping us spread Christmas cheer throughout the Waimarino.
About us
Ohakune Events Charitable Trust organises events to promote the Ruapehu region. The Waimarino Christmas Appeal, supported by the Trust, provides gifts and festive food treats to families in need, ensuring everyone can celebrate the holiday season with joy.
Use of funds
Your donation helps local tamariki enjoy a summer of swimming and play through pool season passes and water themed gifts like towels, goggles and toys.
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Latest update
Making Christmas Magic Together 10 February 2026
Christmas has a special kind of magic. The glow of lights, the excitement that builds, & the feeling that something good is coming.
In 2025, thanks to our generous community, our Christmas Appeal supported over 215 local tamariki. We’re incredibly proud of that but we’ll be honest, it was tight. We came right down to the wire making sure every child had something to open on Christmas morning.
What many people don’t see is what happens behind the scenes. Our Christmas Appeal is run entirely by volunteers. Local elves give their time to source gifts, wrap them with care, & make sure they reach the right whānau before Christmas Day.
For many families, the lead up to Christmas can be stressful. When times are tough, small moments can mean everything. A gift under the tree. A smile on Christmas morning. A feeling of being seen & cared for.
This year, we’re doing things a little differently. We’ve brought our closing date forward to the end of November & increased our goal to $10,000. This gives our volunteer elves time to plan ahead & helps keep the magic alive without last minute stress.
This appeal is about more than presents. It’s about joy, care, & making sure no child in our community misses out at Christmas.
Who's involved?
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