Taupō organizes socially distanced Easter 2022 activities for April school holidays

The Easter bunny will never have Covid-19.

Because he is a magical creature and this year Taupō is having a magical Easter.

Downtown Taupō and Easter Festival hosts a range of outdoor events during the holiday season.

This week, the Easter Bunny has been busy posting pictures of himself at 12 stores around the Taupō CBD. Find 10 shops with his photo, write down your answers and participate in the draw to win an iPad.

The Taupō Easter Bunny Hunt is sponsored by Towncentre Taupō with project coordinator Dervla Murtagh in the hope that the event will bring people back to the town center after a period of relative calm during Omicron’s peak.

“The Taupō Easter Bunny Hunt is an outdoor activity and you can safely participate in it without having to mingle with others.”

Dervla says that while the kids search for the Easter Bunny posters, maybe parents will enjoy shopping for fall fashion “or maybe lingering over coffee at a cafe.”

“An Easter bunny hunt is an old-school activity, the whole family can join in, and it keeps kids away from their devices.

“Many people have been staying home in isolation, and this is a good opportunity to feel like part of the community, while staying safe and social distancing.”

Meanwhile, the Red Bike Treasure Trail is an easy ride along the Great Lake Walkway. Starting and ending at the Taupō Information Center, kids will challenge themselves to find red bikes placed at interesting spots around the scenic ride.

Find the red bikes, crack the code, enter and win. There are also treasure trails at Tūrangi and Mangakino, all rides have stunning views and are on easy contours for families.

There are stunning views of the Waikato River, Taupō Marina, and Lake Taupō, and plenty of places to stop and enjoy the activity on the waterways. Riverside Park is also the perfect spot for a picnic along the way.

The Easter Bunny will be in the central business district of Taupō several times during Easter. If you’re lucky enough to see him, he’ll have free chocolate treats for you, said Elim Church pastor and Easter party organizer Locky McNeill.

Easter Party events will run from April 14-18. Locky says the festival is a celebration of Easter history and the tradition of family gathering.

“And of course Easter is all about the Easter Bunny.”

Hosted by the Combined Local Churches, Locky says each church used to do its own thing on Easter.

“But we recognized that together we could do something huge.”

Creative NZ pop-up street artists are back. Last year, interactive stilts, juggling performances and bubble blowing by Heidi and Sean delighted children and parents alike.

Various online events are planned. In the lead up to Easter, the Church @ 109 YouTube channel will share early Easter stories, the meaning of Good Friday will be broadcast live on Good Friday, and kids of all ages will enjoy being part of a half-hour program of television on Easterfest TV.

A “Stations of the Cross” around key religious sites in central Taupō has yet to be confirmed, and Locky says services at participating churches are scheduled over the four days of Easter.

“Many churches in Taupō have a capacity of less than 200 so can comply with the new Covid-19 rules. We all want to go back to church at church, but realize that after two years of being told “don’t go there. people in the halls will take some time to adjust to returning to the buildings.”

Currently, he is entering cafes to participate in the Tall Poppy Great Lake Hot Chocolate Contest. The idea is for people to visit participating cafes and then go online to vote for the best hot chocolate. Locky says it’s a great opportunity for people celebrating Easter to support local businesses and the event has been hugely popular over the past year.

Easter in Taupo

Easter

Info at: www.easterfest.nz/programme/

Taupō, Tūrangi and Mangakino Treasure Trails
Info at: www.lovetaupo.com/en/see-do/family-friendly/taupo-treasure-trails/

Easter Bunny Hunt in Taupo
When: Until Monday, April 18.
How: There are 12 cheeky Easter bunnies hiding in shop windows in downtown Taupō. Find 10 and enter the raffle to win egg-quoting prizes, including an iPad.
Admission: Pick up forms at Taupō Library, Replete Cafe or www.towncentretaupo.co.nz. Complete the form and drop it off at the Replete Café collection box or take a photo and email info@towncentretaupo.co.nz
More information: Rabbit search clues will be posted on Facebook @TowncentreTaupo Facebook