Family-friendly Kawerau Christmas in the Park 

Acts announced for Kawerau Christmas in the Park 2025

Saturday 6 December 2025 – Prideaux Park, Kawerau

The organisers can confirm the acts and artists for this year’s Kawerau Christmas in the Park, Saturday 6 December.

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.

Kawerau District Council leads the planning, sources external funding and delivers the event in collaboration with essential suppliers and the essential support of local volunteers. 

The event would not be possible without the funders and local business donors; Four Winds Trust, Lion Foundation, Bay Trust, Trust Horizon, Lotto, Mercury Energy, Eastlands Generation, Kajavala Forestry Ltd., Sequal Lumber, Oji Fibre Solutions, Essity, Putauaki Trust, Māori Investments Ltd., Ngāti Tūwharetoa (BOP) Settlement Trust and New World Kawerau.

Over 90% of the entire event budget is sourced from external sources.

Afternoon Show – 12.00 pm – 5.00 pm

The day will be opened with mihi Whakatau and Karakia from Te Rangatira o Ngati Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau and Council’s Iwi Liaison and Cultural Advisor, Te Haukakawa Te Rire.

The Kawerau isite prizegiving for the successful floats participating in the New World Kawerau Santa Parade will follow.

The Community Christmas Concert Show Director is Liana Kerei, who has created a show that will be another showcase and celebration of local talent from across the Eastern Bay region. The following performers are confirmed:

• MC’s Colin Magee and Aroha Ruha-Hiraka
• Kawerau South School Kapa Haka
• Kawerau Putauaki School (Choir)
• T Sisters (Trio)
• 3 & 1 (Band)
• Te Roopu Tahiwi o Rehua (Group)
• Amber Paraha (Soloist)
• The Know it Allz (Band)
• Mark Armstrong (Soloist)
• Next Generation (Band)
• Lylla-Grace (Soloist)
• Fusion (Band)
• TOHU (Soloist)
• Tribute video of our loved ones that have passed over the year
• TJ & Huri (Duet) headline

The afternoon show headline act is TJ & Huri from Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, and they have carved a unique path in the music industry.  Their beginnings as a cover’s duo in 2017, with their performances and harmonious renditions have quickly resonated across YouTube, earning them over 4.5 million views worldwide.

Their captivating sound, blending Māori roots with universal melodies, an Āotearoa Reggae and Country Step, has won loyal fans from Aotearoa and Australia to the UK, Netherlands, and beyond.

Evening Show – 6.30 pm – 10.00 pm

Pari Maxwell is this year’s evening Show Director and has brought together an outstanding variety show line-up.

The always-popular Howie Morrison Jnr. will be the 2025 Master of Ceremony and welcome another glittering array of stars to the Eastern Bay’s crowd in Kawerau. 

Headline Act is Adeaze; the New Zealand R&B/soul duo made up of brothers Nainz and Viiz Tupa’i, known for their smooth harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and strong Pacific influences.

Emerging from the South Auckland music scene and mentored by Brotha D of Dawn Raid Entertainment, they gained nationwide recognition in the early 2000s with their debut album Always and for Real (2004). The record became a landmark in NZ contemporary soul, producing hits like “A Life with You,” “Getting Stronger” (featuring Aaradhna), and “How Deep Is Your Love,” and it reached No. 1 on the New Zealand charts.

Their legacy endures as one of New Zealand’s most beloved and defining soul acts, celebrated for their emotional sincerity, vocal excellence, and contribution to the rise of modern Pasifika music.

No stranger to Kawerau is the multi-talented Dillon Rhodes (iconic Hipstomatics front man), known for his versatile blend of R&B, soul, pop, and acoustic influences.  After his captivating journey on ‘The Voice’ Australia 2023, Dillon Rhodes emerged as a dynamic force from New Zealand, showcasing his electrifying funk soul prowess to the world stage. 

Rising from Aotearoa’s grassroots music scene, he has built a reputation for smooth vocals, strong songwriting, and polished live performances that highlight his multi-instrumental talent.

Vince Harder another New Zealand singer, songwriter, and producer recognised for his dynamic presence across pop, R&B, and dance music. He first came to prominence through standout performances on The X Factor Australia and later achieved major success with the smash hit “Everything,” his collaboration with P-Money that topped the NZ charts.

Known for his powerful vocals, polished production style, and strong influence on contemporary Kiwi pop and R&B, Harder remains one of Aotearoa’s most respected and versatile modern music figures.

A dynamic force in Aotearoa's music scene is Luke Whaanga,  known for his powerful voice and captivating stage presence. Ngāti Kahungunu ki Rongomaiwahine and Ngāti Porou proud with a dash of Scottish whakapapa. Luke’s music career took off when he became a finalist on NZ Idol in 2004 and later as the frontman for the award-winning album One, producing hits like "Irie Music" and "Soul Jah Feeling," which helped shape the modern reggae sound in Aotearoa.

Recently, Luke returned as an independent artist with his highly anticipated solo album, Home, showcasing his evolution as an artist through genre-blending tracks such as "Funkedified," "Miracles," and the anthem "Ūkaipō / Home."

A Kawerau first will be the Ngāti Rangiwewehi Kapa Haka group - one of Aotearoa’s most distinguished kapa haka rōpū, renowned for their elegance, precision, and deep cultural grounding; and second overall at Te Matatini 2025.

The Te Arawa group has been a consistent force in competitive kapa haka for decades, known for their signature vocal blend, disciplined formation, and beautifully curated repertoire that reflects their unique iwi identity.

Whakatāne raised Takerei Hikuroa-Peck returns to Kawerau, renowned and respected for his artistic excellence and stage presence.

Returning to Kawerau is Rewa Ututaonga who from childhood has done what comes naturally...she sings stunningly.

From Kawerau; Nikau Grace so far in her career has performed with Sol3 Mio at Spark Arena; performing at Opera in the Pa; semi-finalist Māori Television: 5 Minutes of Fame 2021; and winning a New Music Development Grant with Hollie Smith.

Eastern Bay group Mellow will feature in the evening show for their first time, which rounds off the showcasing for top talent based in the region. 

Musical director Ben Gilgan brings along The Kawerau Christmas Showband; containing six of New Zealand’s most accomplished musicians that have provided musical accompaniment to major international celebrities. The showband under Ben’s directorship will support the Evening Show performers.

Organisers are working alongside the New Zealand Fire & Emergency (FENZ) and Van Tiel Pyrotechnics to deliver a spectacular firework display again.

A large LED screen will be on site will ensure all spectators can fully enjoy the range of acts and for those unable to attend in person, a live stream is available.

Event timetable

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