Whutuporo Team Holiday Stories
Cass
The Christmas break was a whirlwind of activity, as any household with young children knows. Despite the unpredictable weather, we managed to make the most of it. For Christmas Day, we found ourselves at Lake Hood. We loved the serene beauty of the surrounding walks in the little town. We enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch, followed by a kayak trip—was a lovely way to celebrate Christmas.
Once back home, we embraced a staycation vibe. One of the highlights was our visit to the "Pick Your Own Raspberries" —a fun, hands-on experience that everyone loved. We then wrapped up the festive season with a trip to Willowbank to see the animals, and took a scenic boat lunch cruise around Kaiapoi. On the rainier days, we made the most of it by exploring local libraries, swimming at the pool, enjoying cozy cafes, and lots of malls car rides. Plenty of dog walks too!
We also took a day to stay in, getting creative in the kitchen with some baking. We have now perfected the art of a perfect black forest gateaux. It was such a lovely time spent with our little family, and now we’re excited to see what adventures and opportunities 2025 will bring.
The Christmas break was a whirlwind of activity, as any household with young children knows. Despite the unpredictable weather, we managed to make the most of it. For Christmas Day, we found ourselves at Lake Hood. We loved the serene beauty of the surrounding walks in the little town. We enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch, followed by a kayak trip—was a lovely way to celebrate Christmas.
Once back home, we embraced a staycation vibe. One of the highlights was our visit to the "Pick Your Own Raspberries" —a fun, hands-on experience that everyone loved. We then wrapped up the festive season with a trip to Willowbank to see the animals, and took a scenic boat lunch cruise around Kaiapoi. On the rainier days, we made the most of it by exploring local libraries, swimming at the pool, enjoying cozy cafes, and lots of malls car rides. Plenty of dog walks too!
We also took a day to stay in, getting creative in the kitchen with some baking. We have now perfected the art of a perfect black forest gateaux. It was such a lovely time spent with our little family, and now we’re excited to see what adventures and opportunities 2025 will bring.
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Samantha
Christmas this year was a quiet one, enjoying our new home (complete with mini duck pond) and unpacking. Having moved the week before Christmas, it was all a last-minute rush to get organised and sorted for the big day.
We started the day off, with a lovely, shared breakfast with the kids Dad and his partner, of waffles, bacon, crossiants and all that yumminess that goes with it. This was followed by the much-anticipated opening of gifts and then relaxing outside enjoying our beautiful back yard. It was a quiet day, later on Kane’s Mum joined us for a late lunch/early dinner, and Paige’s best friend also joined us. The kids finished the day off with a spa, then watching Christmas movies.
We didn’t venture far these holidays, with lots of unpacking and setting up of the new house. The rainy days didn’t bother us much as there was plenty to do inside. We did enjoy a couple of sunny days in the garden, tidying things up and just chilling out in the new space.
By New Years Eve, we were mostly unpacked and had friends over for dinner. This was a lively evening, despite the rain, with lots of laughter, good chats and of course a couple of glasses of bubbles.
We are all looking forward to the year ahead and the opportunities it will bring. Hoping you all had a lovely holiday break and look forward to catching up with you soon.
Christmas this year was a quiet one, enjoying our new home (complete with mini duck pond) and unpacking. Having moved the week before Christmas, it was all a last-minute rush to get organised and sorted for the big day.
We started the day off, with a lovely, shared breakfast with the kids Dad and his partner, of waffles, bacon, crossiants and all that yumminess that goes with it. This was followed by the much-anticipated opening of gifts and then relaxing outside enjoying our beautiful back yard. It was a quiet day, later on Kane’s Mum joined us for a late lunch/early dinner, and Paige’s best friend also joined us. The kids finished the day off with a spa, then watching Christmas movies.
We didn’t venture far these holidays, with lots of unpacking and setting up of the new house. The rainy days didn’t bother us much as there was plenty to do inside. We did enjoy a couple of sunny days in the garden, tidying things up and just chilling out in the new space.
By New Years Eve, we were mostly unpacked and had friends over for dinner. This was a lively evening, despite the rain, with lots of laughter, good chats and of course a couple of glasses of bubbles.
We are all looking forward to the year ahead and the opportunities it will bring. Hoping you all had a lovely holiday break and look forward to catching up with you soon.
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Alex
My Christmas break was filled with fun, relaxation, and lots and lots of food. I went home to my parent’s house in Lower Hutt, and although the weather wasn’t the greatest, Christmas day itself turned out to be sunny and warm, perfect for soaking in the sun while digesting far too much ham. Mum was super excited to have her "special" boy home for Christmas. I spent the majority of the day using my parent’s Christmas present to themselves, a spa pool, and despite the massive effort and amount of work it takes to sit there and do nothing, I managed to push through.
We did manage to get one more day of sun, on which we went for a bike / walk up to the Pencarrow Lighthouse, which despite the typical Wellington wind it was worth it in the end, with beautiful views of the harbour.
I spent New Year’s Eve with friends, which again despite the wind and rain, we had a fun night at home, watching a movie and playing plenty of games.
It was nice to come back to Christchurch, as after moving to a new place just before Christmas we managed to get our unpacking done and have a few days to settle in.
Overall it was a fantastic holiday break, and looking forward to an even better 2025.
My Christmas break was filled with fun, relaxation, and lots and lots of food. I went home to my parent’s house in Lower Hutt, and although the weather wasn’t the greatest, Christmas day itself turned out to be sunny and warm, perfect for soaking in the sun while digesting far too much ham. Mum was super excited to have her "special" boy home for Christmas. I spent the majority of the day using my parent’s Christmas present to themselves, a spa pool, and despite the massive effort and amount of work it takes to sit there and do nothing, I managed to push through.
We did manage to get one more day of sun, on which we went for a bike / walk up to the Pencarrow Lighthouse, which despite the typical Wellington wind it was worth it in the end, with beautiful views of the harbour.
I spent New Year’s Eve with friends, which again despite the wind and rain, we had a fun night at home, watching a movie and playing plenty of games.
It was nice to come back to Christchurch, as after moving to a new place just before Christmas we managed to get our unpacking done and have a few days to settle in.
Overall it was a fantastic holiday break, and looking forward to an even better 2025.
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Blaire
Over my Christmas break, I enjoyed a wonderful mix of celebrations, fun, and relaxation. I started off by celebrating Christmas with my family, spending the day surrounded by love, laughter, and delicious food.
One of the highlights of my holiday was attending the Hidden Lakes Music Festival, where the incredible performances and electric atmosphere made for unforgettable memories. Honestly, my dance moves are really improving after that festival! I was on fire out there—people were actually cheering me on!
To welcome 2025, I rang in the New Year with friends, enjoying great company, laughter, and plenty of good vibes.
However, Christchurch’s less-than-ideal weather kept me indoors for parts of the break, which turned out to be the perfect excuse to binge-watch Outer Banks and get lost in its thrilling adventures. Despite the rainy days, my break was a delightful blend of special moments and well-deserved relaxation.
Over my Christmas break, I enjoyed a wonderful mix of celebrations, fun, and relaxation. I started off by celebrating Christmas with my family, spending the day surrounded by love, laughter, and delicious food.
One of the highlights of my holiday was attending the Hidden Lakes Music Festival, where the incredible performances and electric atmosphere made for unforgettable memories. Honestly, my dance moves are really improving after that festival! I was on fire out there—people were actually cheering me on!
To welcome 2025, I rang in the New Year with friends, enjoying great company, laughter, and plenty of good vibes.
However, Christchurch’s less-than-ideal weather kept me indoors for parts of the break, which turned out to be the perfect excuse to binge-watch Outer Banks and get lost in its thrilling adventures. Despite the rainy days, my break was a delightful blend of special moments and well-deserved relaxation.
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Kerry
The holidays are the one time of the year where as a family we get to escape down to secret hideaway in Temuka and just be a family of 5 without the noise of having two businesses and everything that comes with that. It is our opportunity to be ourselves and doing the crazy activities that we always get up to.
Christmas day was the usual low key just us type of day. It started with the kids enjoying the gifts left by Santa with croissants for brekky around 11ish. Most of the day it was a case of watching the kids build their lego projects and helping out when parts no longer seem to fit the instructions. Dinner was around 7 and was a platter of food enjoyed whilst playing card games.
Most of the holidays we spent at our hideaway chilling and gardening with a chainsaw. Man, that is the only way to do gardening. None of this gentle cutting, no way hit it with a chainsaw and get it done. At nights we would play a range of card and board games which usually takes 4 or 5 hours. We battle everynight for the "Temuka Cup" which I am pleased to report I am still the holder of. I was unbeatable these holidays. We taught the kids how to play 5 Crowns and they are dynamos now at playing that game along with Uno Flip.
We did attend the Timaru races and watched our horse race. Unfortunately it didn't win but Keegan and I had an amazing time cheering it on and we know it won't be long until it is in the winners circle. As well as the races we spent a day "Getting Lost". Bec's mother gave us the game and we headed out in the car to play. We ended up in the middle of nowhere with the kids in hysterics with every activity that the cards told us to do. I would recommend that game for anyone.
New Years was another just us at our hideaway. We started the afternoon with karaoke, then moved onto paint and sip activitiy where did a portrait of another member of the family, we went out on the road in our sumo suits and had all the traffic waving and tooting. Finally we finished playing cards and letting off a ton load of confetti to celebrate.
It was great to get away and we have come back charged and ready to go for a big 2025. Can't wait to see where it takes us and what we can achieve. Bring on 2025.
The holidays are the one time of the year where as a family we get to escape down to secret hideaway in Temuka and just be a family of 5 without the noise of having two businesses and everything that comes with that. It is our opportunity to be ourselves and doing the crazy activities that we always get up to.
Christmas day was the usual low key just us type of day. It started with the kids enjoying the gifts left by Santa with croissants for brekky around 11ish. Most of the day it was a case of watching the kids build their lego projects and helping out when parts no longer seem to fit the instructions. Dinner was around 7 and was a platter of food enjoyed whilst playing card games.
Most of the holidays we spent at our hideaway chilling and gardening with a chainsaw. Man, that is the only way to do gardening. None of this gentle cutting, no way hit it with a chainsaw and get it done. At nights we would play a range of card and board games which usually takes 4 or 5 hours. We battle everynight for the "Temuka Cup" which I am pleased to report I am still the holder of. I was unbeatable these holidays. We taught the kids how to play 5 Crowns and they are dynamos now at playing that game along with Uno Flip.
We did attend the Timaru races and watched our horse race. Unfortunately it didn't win but Keegan and I had an amazing time cheering it on and we know it won't be long until it is in the winners circle. As well as the races we spent a day "Getting Lost". Bec's mother gave us the game and we headed out in the car to play. We ended up in the middle of nowhere with the kids in hysterics with every activity that the cards told us to do. I would recommend that game for anyone.
New Years was another just us at our hideaway. We started the afternoon with karaoke, then moved onto paint and sip activitiy where did a portrait of another member of the family, we went out on the road in our sumo suits and had all the traffic waving and tooting. Finally we finished playing cards and letting off a ton load of confetti to celebrate.
It was great to get away and we have come back charged and ready to go for a big 2025. Can't wait to see where it takes us and what we can achieve. Bring on 2025.
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