Family-friendly Kawerau Christmas in the Park

Acts announced for Kawerau Christmas in the Park 2023

Saturday 16 December, 2023 – Prideaux Park, Kawerau

The organisers can confirm the acts and artists for this year’s Kawerau Christmas in the Park, Saturday 16 December.

Evening Show – 6.45 pm – 10.30 pm

The Eastern Bay of Plenty’s very own Pari Maxwell is this year’s Show Director who has brought together an incredible variety show line-up.

The Evening Show will commence with a powhiri by Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora to welcome our Artists and visitors who have travelled from near and far to Kawerau.

The always-popular Howie Morrison Jnr. will be the 2023 Master of Ceremony, and will welcome another glittering array of stars to the Eastern Bay’s crowd in Kawerau.  During his career, Howie has worked with many greats in the entertainment industry, including the likes of John Rowles, Tui Teka, Billy T James, Frankie Stevens, Dalvanius, Eddie Lowe, Toni Williams, Dame Malvina Major, Annie Crummer, Tina Cross and original members of his dad’s quartet.

Welcoming back to Kawerau is musical director Ben Gilgen. Ben is rated as one of the best in the industry and was mentored by the likes of Harry Poe, Tommy Tupaia and Peter Morgan who have given Ben a platform to work with many greats including Lionel Richie, Annie Crummer, Billy T James, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Howard Morrison, The Koi Boys, Stan Walker and Ardijah.

Ben brings along The Kawerau Christmas Showband; containing six of New Zealand’s most accomplished musicians that have provided musical accompaniment to major international celebrities, world famous musicals and popular New Zealand shows. The Showband under Ben’s directorship will support the Evening Show performers.

Te Pumanawa o Toku Ate Rogers of Rotorua will join our lineup at this year’s Kawerau Christmas in the Park. The 16 year old has become a regular performer with the prestigious Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, performing at their annual concerts. 

Takerei Hikuroa-Peck grew up in a very musical whanau and over the years, has worked with some of the most talented and top-class musicians. Having spent some time in Kawerau in his earlier years, Takerei is honoured to come back to entertain the community as a soloist and a member of the Howie Morrison Trio.

Kawerau raised Nikau Grace is no stranger to the stage in Kawerau having performed possibly more times than any other performer for this show (eight years consecutively), but for the first time ever Nikau will join the professionals in the evening show.  

Jaya Rees even in her youthful years has unmistakably left a profound impact on New Zealand's musical tapestry.  It was at the much-anticipated Auckland Christmas in the Park 2022 that she unveiled her mesmerizing Christmas single, "Aotearoa Sun". That swiftly climbed to No.5 on the New Zealand Charts and subsequently earned the distinguished 2023 NZ Best Children's Song of the Year Award.

Returning to Kawerau is TJ Taotua an Auckland based singer-songwriter and guitarist, who delivers to the world high quality interpretations of timeless RNB, Gospel, Soul and reggae acoustic covers and originals, with the purpose of taking you on a journey back in time to when RNB music had real meaning.

From humble beginnings in Rotorua with his first band ‘The Three Blind Mice’ Eddie Low established a reputation as an outstanding vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. His love for music has taken him around the world and onto stages with some of music’s greats including Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride, Buck Owens, Tom T Hall, Freddie Fender, Kenny Rogers and many more.

Jamey Ferguson (founding member of Katchafire), will be accompanied by his new all-star band Son and Water. They will be performing the hits Jamey wrote while with the iconic Aotearoa reggae legends, including Son and Water’s latest release ‘Keep that Smile’.

Singer, songwriter and musical actress Lavina Williams, is the winner of the prestigious 2017 Benny Award's - “Pacific Entertainment Award for Top Female Vocalist”. Her career highlights started in 2004 playing lead roles such as Shenzi, Rafiki and Sarabi in the world renowned Broadway musical "The Lion King" in Australia, Germany and Singapore.  

Lavina was the opening act for Ms. Tina Turner, played Motormouth Maybelle in Broadway's hit musical "Hairspray" at Auckland's Sky City Theatre and played the lead role “Deloris Van Cartier” in Sister Act Musical in NZ.  Lavina was a vocal coach for the Top 13 contestants of Season 2 "The X-Factor" New Zealand.  As part of her performance at Kawerau Christmas in the Park, Lavina will pay tribute to the Queen of Rock – Tina Turner.

Last in Kawerau in 2019 - Ray Woolf has appeared many times on New Zealand television screens, and has toured New Zealand theatres appearing in everything from the Sound of Music to the Rocky Horror Picture show.  Ray is a class act entertainer who sings across a wide range of musical genres from cabaret, jazz, musical theatre to pop, rock’n’roll and rock but he specialises in performing the wonderful swing hits of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Michael Buble.

Headline act, Corrella have a summery vibe to their music, which is heard across New Zealand, Aotearoa. They take inspiration from bands like L.A.B, Six 60 and Tomorrow People, while creating their own unique fusion of reggae, funk, pop, roots, and rock.

Vocalist Pipiwharauroa Campbell leads this talented ensemble formed in 2017. The band delivers an energetic live experience with our very own Te Naawe Tupe on rhythm guitar, Taula Schuster on keyboards, Tom Scrase on drums, Joshua Faletutulu on lead guitar, Rebekah Brady and Ngawaiwera Campbell on backing vocals, and Jimmy Colbert of 1814 on bass guitar.  Get ready for a night filled with great music and good vibes to songs like Skanking, Little Circles, Summertime in Aotearoa and Chur Māori.

Afternoon Show – 12.00 pm – 5.15 pm

The Community Christmas Concert Director in Training is Liana Kerei, who has pulled together a show that will be another celebration of local talent from across the Eastern Bay region.

• Kawerau South School Kapa Haka will open the Afternoon Show
• Tribute Band and Video of our loved ones that have passed over the year
• Whakatane Steps Dance Group
• Hinerongonui Kingi aka Hi-Nes
• Hula Fitness
• Fusion
• Reretau
• Banded Brothers
• Kawerau Band Mellow will close the Afternoon Show

Organisers are working alongside the New Zealand Fire & Emergency (FENZ) and Van Tiel Pyrotechnics to deliver a spectacular firework display, which, if confirmed will add to the climax of this incredible show line-up.

A final decision is due show week. Additionally a 20sq metre screen on site will ensure all spectators can fully enjoy the range of acts. Kawerau Christmas in the Park is the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s showcase festive entertainment event and organisers encourage locals and visitors to come along.

The event is family-friendly – drugs, alcohol and gang regalia not permitted. Bag searches may take place at the venue entrances. Prideaux Park is a smoke & vape-free venue.

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For more information, contact Tania Humberstone, communication manager, 027 464 3785

Tania.Humberstone@kaweraudc.govt.nz

Kawerau Christmas in the Park event timetable