Ōtara lights up for Christmas, led by community spirit

The Ōtara Christmas Lights has become one of the brightest and most welcoming block parties in Auckland.

Warm smiles, friendly jokes, and booming Christmas tunes greet visitors as crowds wander through glowing streets.

Neighbours call out “Merry Christmas” from their driveways, while portable speakers pump festive music late into the night.

Among the volunteers helping things run smoothly is 13-year-old Samiuela Mafi, stationed at one end of Cooper Crescent as a traffic controller, guiding cars in and out of the busy neighbourhood.

His involvement came naturally “We went to go see the lights [one night],” Mafi says. “We saw this group working and we thought we might as well just join, help out the community.”

For Mafi, taking part is also about challenging long-held perceptions of where he comes from.

“Normally, I’d see people when they hear the word ‘Ōtara’ they’d be thinking there’s vapes, drugs, and alcohol, but seeing people come through here with happy faces makes me feel so nice.”

Running from 7 December through to Christmas Day, the lights stretch across many streets, including Everitt Road, Ross Avenue, Cooper Crescent, Whitley Crescent, Clayton Avenue, Terry Place, and Hamill Road.

Each night, the neighbourhood transforms into a festive maze.

One house features a pop-up projector screen playing classic Christmas movies like The Grinch and Home Alone, while others glow with fairy lights, inflatables, and themed displays.

Food stalls line the footpaths, gateways, and front lawns offering everything from ‘otai, lamb, pork and turkey buns, Island barbecue, curries, smash burgers, and chicken katsu, to popcorn, ice cream, and island donuts.

A decent feed can be picked up for around $20.

Joanna Pulepule is one of the many stall holders adding flavour to the festivities. She has been there every night since 7 December, selling hot food for $5.

“We got rice and chopsuey with lamb curry,” she says. “We got mango drinks, cookie pies, pineapple pies, coconut pie and much more. My darling husband, he’s the chef for the chopsuey and the lamb curry, it’s the best.”

She admits the commitment has been bigger than expected.

“We’re here until next week. It’s our first time this year, we were expecting it to be easy but nah, it’s not. But it’s all worth it, you know, serving the community and I’m loving the vibe. What an opportunity, we’re gonna take it and serve every night.”

Nearby, a young girl named Cherish proudly stands behind her small table selling $2 donut twists, her favourite being the chocolate ones.

“My mum said if the people give me the money she will go buy me toys.”

Young children snap a pic. Photo/Candice Ama

Everywhere you turn, lights twinkle. Inflatable Santas, sparkling reindeer, glowing trees, and stars fill front yards. A white throne and a giant present-shaped photo booth made entirely of fairy lights draw queues of smiling families.

Some homes feature playful twists, including a 1.5-metre-tall Christmas Yoda, while others focus on traditional Nativity scenes.

One display in particular stands out: a baby doll representing Jesus lies in a cradle inside a wooden barn, surrounded by hand-painted, life-sized shepherds and sheep, complete with animal sounds playing from a hidden speaker.

The homeowner, Atanesi Misili, says the display was created by her husband, Finau Apela. The family moved to the neighbourhood from Manurewa just one year ago and couldn’t resist taking part.

“Because my husband is an artist, he used to teach art in the islands, he paints cars as well, he was the one planning all of this. He does one week of painting and only one day to put everything up.

A family photo at Atanesi Misili and Finau Apelu's hand-painted Nativity scene. Photo/Candice Ama

“We really enjoy it and we love to make people happy, to let people know how Ōtara is, it’s beautiful…it’s already Christmas now,” she laughs.

Families and children are invited to sit on a fala (mat) in front of Apela’s display for photos, while groups move from house to house, soaking it all in.

A group of children visiting the lights say they love the “colourful fun” and the “yummy food”, with one child saying their favourite part was "spending time with my cousins and siblings”.

As the lights continue to shine through to Christmas Day, the Ōtara Block Christmas Lights stand as a joyful reminder of what community, creativity, and spirit look like when neighbours come together.