WHUTUPORO TEAM 2025 CHRISTMAS STORIES
Sam's Christmas
Christmas 2025 was a beautifully quiet one for us- the kind that feels like a deep breath after a big year. The kids and I kicked off the morning with homemade waffles (golden, crispy, and absolutely drowned in toppings), before diving into the presents under the tree.
The rest of the holiday break was all about keeping it simple and soaking up the good stuff- lazy days at home, pool trips that turned into full-on splash competitions, and a few classic summer BBQs with friends and whānau where the food lasted longer than the daylight.
In between all that, we actually got some serious things done too. We spent time in the garden and tackled the garage - sorting, shifting, and finally getting it ready for the project car to come out of storage. It’s taken us a full year to get to this point… but honestly, the best things always take time.
And the real adventure is still to come.
In just a couple of weeks (mid January), the kids and I are packing up and heading off to explore the Coast. We’ll be back in our favourite spot in Reefton, checking out the Pancake Rocks, and stepping back in time with a trip to Waiuta - the old gold-mining ghost town that feels like it’s frozen in history. Maybe will strike it big when we go gold panning!
Quiet Christmas… big adventures loading.
Sarah's Christmas
Christmas morning was full of cuddles, giggles, and pure excitement - especially from our little boy Ojas, who couldn’t wait to see what Santa had brought him. We started the day with pancakes, then watched Ojas open his present with the biggest smile, before he took off running around the house playing and showing everyone his new treasure.
We took a few family photos together too - little moments captured that we’ll look back on and smile about for years.
The rest of the day was exactly what we needed: relaxed family time, movies, home-cooked meals, and the simple joy of being together. In between the fun, we did a bit of gardening and organised the house - the kind of satisfying jobs that feel easier when you’re surrounded by laughter and love.
We shared meals, talked about old memories, and made new ones without rushing anywhere. Being surrounded by family made everything feel peaceful and complete, and reminded me just how special it is to have loved ones to celebrate life with.
Kerry's Christmas
Christmas 2025 was exactly what we needed - a chance to escape to our usual favourite spot in Temuka and hide away from the world for a while.
After such a busy and hectic year, all we wanted was to slow down, switch off, and just relax… and that’s exactly what we did. No pressure, no rushing, just good company and a proper reset.
Christmas Day itself was a late start for us (nothing too crazy - we eventually surfaced sometime after 7.15am!). The morning was filled with excitement as everyone opened their gifts, and it didn’t take long before we were all gathered around enjoying Bec’s homemade croissants - which were honestly next level. The kids were especially thrilled with theirs… mainly because they were topped with the ultimate combo: chocolate mousse and cream.
But the real highlight of the holiday? The nightly battle for “The Temuka Cup.”
Every evening turned into full-blown games night competition, with one winner taking home the trophy and ultimate bragging rights. The games were fierce, the rules were debated (as they always are), and the rivalry was strong. We rotated through everything from Uno to Chinese Checkers, and the crowd favourite by far was Five Crowns - which became the serious business game of the holiday.
By the time the break came to an end, we all came back feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the world again - with plenty of laughs, memories, and a Temuka Cup champion crowned along the way.
Cass' Christmas
Christmas and New Year were such a wholesome, memory-filled time for our little family - the kind of break that reminds you what it’s all about.
The excitement really kicked off on Christmas morning when Santa arrived for our two-year-old, Atlas. Watching his face light up as he opened his favourite Spidey Friends and PJ Masks toys made the morning feel extra magical - pure joy in its simplest form.
We hosted Christmas Day with friends and family, and it turned into such a lovely day. There was plenty of good food, lots of laughter, and great company - plus a few competitive moments too! Games of Money or the Bag had everyone fully invested, and the bidding auction for presents was a highlight that kept the entertainment going all afternoon.
Not long after, we were straight into packing mode for our first-ever family camping trip to Tahuna in Nelson. The weather didn’t always play its part, but it didn’t stop us from having an amazing getaway. Atlas absolutely loved the kids’ New Year disco, and in the evenings we managed to squeeze in a few board games and drinks with friends - helped by the fact that Atlas and our friends’ two-year-old had perfectly aligned bedtimes (a holiday miracle!).
New Year’s Eve was another win - Atlas somehow managed to stay awake until 11:30pm and even caught the fireworks, which went off early because of the wind. Still not quite sure how he pulled that off, but he was determined!
Once we were home, it was back into relaxed family time. Atlas got to catch up with his cousins, while my husband Josh got stuck into some serious garden work - clearing out overgrown trees and getting things back under control. We also squeezed in one final holiday adventure with a quick gondola trip, which was the perfect way to round out the break before returning to work and preschool.
Now we’re already looking forward to next year’s break, but for now we’re feeling refreshed, grateful, and excited to focus on the many goals we’ve set for 2026.
Christmas 2025 was a beautifully quiet one for us- the kind that feels like a deep breath after a big year. The kids and I kicked off the morning with homemade waffles (golden, crispy, and absolutely drowned in toppings), before diving into the presents under the tree.
The rest of the holiday break was all about keeping it simple and soaking up the good stuff- lazy days at home, pool trips that turned into full-on splash competitions, and a few classic summer BBQs with friends and whānau where the food lasted longer than the daylight.
In between all that, we actually got some serious things done too. We spent time in the garden and tackled the garage - sorting, shifting, and finally getting it ready for the project car to come out of storage. It’s taken us a full year to get to this point… but honestly, the best things always take time.
And the real adventure is still to come.
In just a couple of weeks (mid January), the kids and I are packing up and heading off to explore the Coast. We’ll be back in our favourite spot in Reefton, checking out the Pancake Rocks, and stepping back in time with a trip to Waiuta - the old gold-mining ghost town that feels like it’s frozen in history. Maybe will strike it big when we go gold panning!
Quiet Christmas… big adventures loading.
Sarah's Christmas
Christmas morning was full of cuddles, giggles, and pure excitement - especially from our little boy Ojas, who couldn’t wait to see what Santa had brought him. We started the day with pancakes, then watched Ojas open his present with the biggest smile, before he took off running around the house playing and showing everyone his new treasure.
We took a few family photos together too - little moments captured that we’ll look back on and smile about for years.
The rest of the day was exactly what we needed: relaxed family time, movies, home-cooked meals, and the simple joy of being together. In between the fun, we did a bit of gardening and organised the house - the kind of satisfying jobs that feel easier when you’re surrounded by laughter and love.
We shared meals, talked about old memories, and made new ones without rushing anywhere. Being surrounded by family made everything feel peaceful and complete, and reminded me just how special it is to have loved ones to celebrate life with.
Kerry's Christmas
Christmas 2025 was exactly what we needed - a chance to escape to our usual favourite spot in Temuka and hide away from the world for a while.
After such a busy and hectic year, all we wanted was to slow down, switch off, and just relax… and that’s exactly what we did. No pressure, no rushing, just good company and a proper reset.
Christmas Day itself was a late start for us (nothing too crazy - we eventually surfaced sometime after 7.15am!). The morning was filled with excitement as everyone opened their gifts, and it didn’t take long before we were all gathered around enjoying Bec’s homemade croissants - which were honestly next level. The kids were especially thrilled with theirs… mainly because they were topped with the ultimate combo: chocolate mousse and cream.
But the real highlight of the holiday? The nightly battle for “The Temuka Cup.”
Every evening turned into full-blown games night competition, with one winner taking home the trophy and ultimate bragging rights. The games were fierce, the rules were debated (as they always are), and the rivalry was strong. We rotated through everything from Uno to Chinese Checkers, and the crowd favourite by far was Five Crowns - which became the serious business game of the holiday.
By the time the break came to an end, we all came back feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the world again - with plenty of laughs, memories, and a Temuka Cup champion crowned along the way.
Cass' Christmas
Christmas and New Year were such a wholesome, memory-filled time for our little family - the kind of break that reminds you what it’s all about.
The excitement really kicked off on Christmas morning when Santa arrived for our two-year-old, Atlas. Watching his face light up as he opened his favourite Spidey Friends and PJ Masks toys made the morning feel extra magical - pure joy in its simplest form.
We hosted Christmas Day with friends and family, and it turned into such a lovely day. There was plenty of good food, lots of laughter, and great company - plus a few competitive moments too! Games of Money or the Bag had everyone fully invested, and the bidding auction for presents was a highlight that kept the entertainment going all afternoon.
Not long after, we were straight into packing mode for our first-ever family camping trip to Tahuna in Nelson. The weather didn’t always play its part, but it didn’t stop us from having an amazing getaway. Atlas absolutely loved the kids’ New Year disco, and in the evenings we managed to squeeze in a few board games and drinks with friends - helped by the fact that Atlas and our friends’ two-year-old had perfectly aligned bedtimes (a holiday miracle!).
New Year’s Eve was another win - Atlas somehow managed to stay awake until 11:30pm and even caught the fireworks, which went off early because of the wind. Still not quite sure how he pulled that off, but he was determined!
Once we were home, it was back into relaxed family time. Atlas got to catch up with his cousins, while my husband Josh got stuck into some serious garden work - clearing out overgrown trees and getting things back under control. We also squeezed in one final holiday adventure with a quick gondola trip, which was the perfect way to round out the break before returning to work and preschool.
Now we’re already looking forward to next year’s break, but for now we’re feeling refreshed, grateful, and excited to focus on the many goals we’ve set for 2026.
