Auckland Santa Parade

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No Christmas in New zealand is complete without attending one of the many, many Santa Parades held up and down the country. Auckland has by the far the biggest and without doubt most colourful Santa Parade there is and this year we got to witness the spectacle under a blazing hot sun. The streets of the CBD were packed choc full of cheering adults and kids alike and for about one and a half hours, we were dazzled and entertained by all manner of colourful costumes, cheerleading squads and dancers, acrobats, clowns and sporting heroes.

Rather than describe the event to you here, I think we'll just let the pictures do the talking...

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Photos

Clowning Around
I think I spotted Ronald McDonald in there somewhere!

Kiwi Hero
Olympic shotput gold medallist, Valerie Vii

Sppoky Chritsmas
erm, wasn't Halloween over a month ago?

Pirates of the CBD
Alas, no sign of Johnny Depp (belive me, I checked thoroughly)

Spongebob
Do my pants look square in this?

Kiwiana
After seeing this, I'm thinking of trading Glynn in for a real Kiwi bloke.

Bird Song
Who knew that kiwis were not only endangered flightless birds but also musical?

Cat in the Hat
green eggs and ham, anyone?

The Blob
random Dr Seuss greencreature floating above the crowds (aren't you impressed with my Dr Seuss knowledge?)

Bye Bye
View of the parade heading down Queen Street

Rugby Heroes
Congrats to NZ on winning the Rugby League World Cup

Ticker Tape
no parade is compleet without it!

You Spin Me Right Round
These poor chaps had to spin their heads for the whole parade!

Dinotopia
and representing the town of Bedrock is...

Dragonheart
All the immigrant communities get involved in the Santa Parade including the Chinese and this random British bloke!

Jish-E
Jish waves to his pal, Wall-E in the parade.

Prima Ballerina
Despite the festive scene it was just too hot to feel like Christmas!

Santa baby
This Santa has the funkiest helpers ever!