



ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF A crowdfunded project has seen Robert Herewini, aka Hana Kōkō as the special guest at Wellington's Summer Sounds event in Aro Valley.

The big guy with the white beard in the red suit had to play second fiddle to "Māori Santa" Hana Kōkō at a Wellington festival.

The two stars of the show shared equal billing at Aro Valley's Summer Sounds on Saturday, but it appeared that Rob Herewini's Hana Kōkō was the one that most had come to see.

Herewini said he had been looking forward to coming to the Wellington event and it was great to get the city's support.

"I couldn't believe it, actually. It was certainly different from what was happening in Nelson."

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF Robert Herewini - who is the Māori Santa - appeared with the traditional Santa Claus at the Summer Sounds event in Aro Park.

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In the Nelson parade, Herewini wore a red korowai (cloak) in place of the traditional red and white Santa suit.

The change sparked complaints from many parents who said their children were upset by the change.

"I'd been living in Nelson for 39-40 years and I was quite disappointed by some of the reaction to me being Hana Kōkō, but at the end of the day, people have their own thoughts and their own free speech."

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF A big crowd turned out to see two Santas at Aro Park on Saturday.

His Christmas message on Saturday was: "Aroha ki te tangata - everybody love everybody" and have a safe and happy holiday.

Hana Kōkō's invitation to Summer Sounds came about as a reaction to the negative sentiment displayed in Nelson and a desire by some of the organisers of the event to let Herewini know that the negativity was not typical of New Zealand. It sparked a Facebook page, Bring Māori Santa To Welly!.

Summer Sounds co-ordinators Lexi Taylor and Natasha Crombie set up the page, which developed into a plan to bring the Māori Santa to their event.

Co-organiser Nicola Moke said Herewini's Māori version of Father Christmas got an rapturous reception from kids and adults alike at Aro Park.

"The crowd was in a massive line to see Hana Kōkō and poor old Santa was running around throwing lollies and stuff, but everyone was lined up wanting to have photos with Hana Kōkō. It was such an amazing atmosphere."

BRADEN FASTIER/STUFF Robert Herewini played the role of Santa in the 2018 Nelson Santa Parade, sparking a backlash because he didn't look like the traditional Santa.

The Wellington event had none of the negativity sparked by his previous appearance, Moke said.

"The crowd went absolutely mental when they arrived."

She said there was a lot of media attention on Herewini but he took it in his stride.

"He's just the most humble guy you'd ever meet. He's just been so amazing through all of this and so patient. He's just an ordinary guy who has all of a sudden been thrown in the midst of this."

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