Christmas gets a lift as big tree switched on

A community effort has seen Nelson’s civic Christmas tree switched on for the season.

A crowd gathered at the Church Steps on Sunday evening as the 3000 lights were turned on after Nelson City Brass set the mood with Christmas music.

It was a seven-hour operation to get the Nelson Santa Parade Trust’s 11-metre tree in place. It was brought out of storage in parts and taken to the top of Trafalgar St by transport company Lift N Shift.

A team of volunteers from Whakatū Rotary helped assemble it, Fire and Emergency NZ crew filled its ballast tanks, and traffic management company Weaver looked after the road closure before the tree was lifted into place halfway up the steps.

Trust chairperson Trevor Marshall said without the voluntary help, the cost of erecting the tree would be prohibitive.

In comparison Christchurch’s civic tree cost $8000 to put up. Auckland city’s new 18.4 metre tree cost $1.2 million, compared to the Nelson tree that cost $40,000 when it was bought four years ago.

The tree is made of aluminium and recycled plastic, so it would have a long life, Marshall said.

The tree switch-on signals the start of festive activities with the trust’s Santa parade hitting the streets on Sunday (Dec 1). So far 54 groups had signed up, including the Thai, French, Colombian and Chinese communities.

The event will kick off at 12.30pm with a Christmas-themed dress up competition for children and prizes for the best floats. The parade is scheduled to begin at 1pm.

Children would also be handed lollies, bubble wands and wooden toys made by Menzshed volunteers.

Foodbank volunteers would also be there collecting donations of cash and non-perishable goods.

The early forecast is for a fine day with temperatures in the early 20s.