Childrens' Day celebrated at Government House

Hundreds of Wellington children will be treated to a day of entertainment and fun when the grounds of Government House are opened to the Capitals' youngsters to celebrate Childrens' Day 2008.

The Sunday 2 March event, which runs from 10am to 3pm, will feature live music by New Zealand Idol singer Ben Lummis, ballroom dancing from the contestants from Dancing with the Stars, gypsy music, hip hop music and a Chinese cultural performance.  There will also be art and juggling workshops, a bouncy castle, face painting and much more family fun.  The event is organised by Every Child Counts, a community coalition working for children and families.

The Patron of Childrens' Day, Her Excellency Susan Satyanand, said she was pleased to be able to make the grounds of Government House Wellington available for the event.

"Childrens' Day is an opportunity to publicly celebrate how special our youngsters are and how we need set aside time for them, where we can listen and talk to them and to give them praise, encouragement, love and affection.

"The day is also a chance for families to come together have fun and enjoy some new experiences and so Im' sure there will fun aplenty at Government House this weekend."

Mrs Satyanand has been a strong supporter of Childrens' Day, attending the 2007 event at Wellington Zoo as well as launching the 2008 Childrens' Day characters at a function at Wellington Library last year.

Media that wish to attend Childrens' Day at Government House Wellington should contact the Public Affairs Officer at Government House, Antony Paltridge, by 5pm on Friday 29 February.

For further enquiries contact: Antony Paltridge, Government House, 04-382-0827 or 021 470 583 or Deborah Morris-Travers, Every Child Counts, 0274 544 299