Acts announced for Kawerau Christmas in the Park 2022

Saturday 17 December, 2022 – Prideaux Park, Kawerau

ORGANISERS can now confirm the acts and artists for this year’s Kawerau Christmas in the Park, Saturday 17 December. Prideaux Park will be packed full with food vendors, amusements and live entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

New World Santa Parade - 11.00am 

The day will start with the New World Kawerau Santa Parade at 11.00 am. The Kawerau i-SITE is where to obtain a registration form, and it is free to enter a float. 

After the parade and prize giving on the main stage, the entertainment commences with the Radio 1XX Community Concert throughout the afternoon. 

Afternoon Community Concert – 12.30pm – 5.15 pm

A blend of local talent will be on stage during the afternoon show with the following showcase acts:

TOHU (Tamarakau Hiini) is a singer songwriter from Hicks Bay/Te Araroa, Aotearoa New Zealand. Loving the island feels of a Ukulele, he began to teach himself. Accompanied by his soulfully smooth raw vocals, a magical and unique sound began to form.

Mellow is a local Kawerau Band that is fast making a name for itself in the Eastern Bay. The three lead vocalists Bless Maxwell, Hare Butcher and Allery Gardiner all offer a dynamic range of genres that everyone will enjoy.   

TJ Taotua and the Ministry of Tone are a dynamic four-piece soul, funk and R n' B band based in Auckland, bringing their soulful sound and vocals.

Nikau Grace straight off her performance at Coca Cola Christmas in the Park, Nikau from Kawerau is gaining a strong reputation across the motu as a wonderful soloist.

Evening Variety Show – 7.15 pm – 10.00 pm

Chris Powley (NZ Promotions Ltd.) has come up with another stellar line-up, aimed to suit all age groups.  This will be the last show Mr Powley will direct in Kawerau, and promises to be a special finale after his seven years for Kawerau.  Howie Morrison Jnr. will join Chris along with a glittering array of stars with international reputations.

The Kawerau musical director and pianist maestro Ben Gilgan is rated as one of the best in the business and has recorded and performed with a string of big names (Lionel Richie, Annie Crummer, Billy T James, Dame Kiri te Kanawa, Sir Howard Morrison, The Koi Boys, Stan walker and appeared on Ardijahs album).

Supported by The Kawerau Christmas Showband, containing seven of New Zealand’s most accomplished musicians that have provided musical accompaniment to major international celebrities.

Returning to Kawerau will be the Diamond Dancers, this dance team made up of some of New Zealand's top choreographers, dancers, promotional talent, costume designers and producers and they will exceed expectations and definitely leave an impression.

The Master of Ceremony will be MC Frankie Stevens, who has worked with artists like Shirley Bassey, Liberace, Sammie Davis Jnr., Sir Howard Morrison and Jack Jones.

Winner of ‘Stars in Your Eyes’ 2008, Deryn Trainer aka The Piano Man as Billy Joel, brings his uncanny likeness to the American global star to Kawerau. Twenty years as a professional musician and played with some of the biggest and best entertainers from around the world.

Returning to Kawerau is Taisha Tari, who has performed at numerous concerts locally and internationally, including the opening of the Commonwealth Games in 1990 in Aotearoa, Netball World Cup 2009.

Rewa Ututaonga has entertained around the motu, as well as joining well-established band Cairo in the late 1980’s. She has been a regular on a host of TV entertainment specials, including the 1996 Showcase musical talent quest in which she took away 3rd place.

Emerging artist from Tūrangi, Jackson Owens began his musical journey when he was ten years old. Raised in a family deeply connected to soul music, Jackson is influenced by the likes of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Amy Winehouse and Stevie Wonder.

Headlining is Mark Williams of Dragon - almost 50 years have passed since Mark's voice hit the airwaves with Yesterday Was Just The Beginning Of My Life. This Kiwi classic is as timeless as the man himself and helped carve out the beginning of a long and successful life in music.

One very special guest appearance is also promised - jetting in from a galaxy far, far away is a kiwi stage and screen star with a universal reputation.  This bounty is so global that his name will remain undisclosed until closer to the big day.  After such disruption to the world through the pandemic – Kawerau strikes back!

Rounding off this amazing evening show line-up will be the spectacular firework display delivered by Van Tiel pyrotechnics.

All of this is only possible due to the organisations funding this event.

Special Thanks to:

• Kawerau District Council
• New Zealand Community Trust
• Lion Foundation
• Bay Trust
• Lotto NZ
• Trust Horizon
• New World Kawerau

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

For more (Note: open artist’s bios and images with Google Chrome):

Kawerau Christmas in the Park Timetable

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For more information, please contact Kawerau District Council Kaiwhakahaere Whakapā Kōrero| Manager Communications and Engagement, Tania Humberstone on 027 464 3785.