Summer is officially underway. This year's calendar has something for everyone - from sports, art, music, faith, and food to families and friends enjoying a fun day out and creating lasting memories.

As the year winds down and the festive lights come out, many workplaces across Aotearoa, New Zealand, and the Pacific start thinking about the same question: Should we celebrate 2025’s mahi with a Christmas party?

For some teams, the end-of-year celebration is a highlight, a moment to breathe, share kai, and honour everything achieved together. For others, it can be a stressful, expensive, or even unsafe time.

In our Pacific communities, where family, culture, and belonging guide so much of what we do, the answer isn’t always simple.

Before we dive into the “for” and “against”, it’s worth remembering that the end of the year means something different for each of us. For some, it’s a time of joy and gathering. For others, it’s a chance to pause after months of hard mahi.

In our Pacific workplaces where cultures, families, and faiths weave together, how we celebrate matters just as much as whether we celebrate at all. Here’s a look at the why, the why not, and how our Pacific workplaces can celebrate in ways that uplift everyone.

A simple gathering can strengthen relationships and honour the year’s hard mahi. Photo/Facebook/PMN

Why Christmas parties can be good for workplaces

A long year of hard work deserves recognition. A Christmas party is one way to thank staff and show appreciation for their contribution. Many workplaces believe that ending the year with a celebration helps keep morale strong and reminds people that their mahi matters.

In the islands and across Pacific communities in Aotearoa and Australia, relationships are everything. A relaxed end-of-year gathering can bring people together across departments, ages, and roles. Sharing food, laughter, and stories also helps build unity - the kind of solidarity that carries into the following year.

For many Pacific workers who may be far from home, a workplace party can bring warmth and connection during a season that can sometimes feel lonely. Celebrations that include music, games, or cultural touches can help people feel recognised and valued.

Pacific workplaces know how to create a happy atmosphere with very little. A shared lunch, a simple barbecue, or a potluck with island dishes can be just as meaningful as a formal event.

Budgets, safety, and diverse beliefs mean not every team opts for a big celebration. Photo/PMN News

Why some workplaces skip the big party

Many organisations across the region are watching their budgets closely. Venue hire, catering, transport, these do add up. Some workplaces now prefer practical alternatives, like giving staff vouchers, bonuses, or extra leave.

Pacific workplaces are diverse. Some staff may not celebrate Christmas for cultural or religious reasons. Others might prefer a neutral end-of-year gathering instead of a Christmas-themed one. But inclusion matters.

Alcohol at work events can also create risk. Poor behaviour, unsafe transport, or misunderstandings can have long-term consequences. Many workplaces now choose alcohol-free or low-alcohol events, or include cultural protocols to keep everyone safe.

Not everyone wants to socialise outside of work, especially parents, shift workers, or those with church commitments. Making attendance a priority can add stress than joy.

In Pacific workplaces, celebrations are guided by values, respect, family, and togetherness. Photo/Winston Chen/Unsplash

What makes the celebrations meaningful?

In Pacific cultures, celebrations are a party and a chance to express values like famili, aiga, whānau, vuvale, and kaunohoga. But can staff bring their families? Should the celebration support parents and caregivers? Pacific workers juggle many responsibilities as flexible, family-friendly options can go a long way.

Respect (fa‘aaloalo, faka‘apa‘apa, vakarokoroko) acknowledging elders, leaders, and cultural diversity is key. A simple prayer or blessing can set the tone for a respectful event.

Community (nu‘u, kainga, kava circles, village spirit) events that feel communal, such as shared food, fun competitions, music from home, can feel more genuine and less corporate.

Wellbeing at the end of the year can be tough. A celebration that lifts mental health, provides rest, and honours staff is more important than any fancy/flash venue.

Inclusive, alcohol-aware, and culturally thoughtful planning keeps everyone safe and welcome. Photo/Starship Sydney

If you do celebrate, make it safe and inclusive

Here are some practical ideas for workplace celebrations:

• Ask staff what they want. Not everyone enjoys big parties.

• Offer non-alcoholic options and keep drinking low-risk.

• Include cultural elements like blessings, island food, or performances.

• Make attendance optional without guilt.

• Think about transport home, especially late at night.

• Acknowledge achievements - Pasifika value recognition and gratitude.

• Keep it simple if budgets are tight. Heart counts more than glamour.

What matters most is honouring the people who carried the mahi, whatever form the celebration takes. Photo/The Food Company

So, should we celebrate?

There’s no one right answer. What matters most is honouring the people who carried the year’s mahi.

A Christmas party can be joyful, affirming, and good for the whole team, if it’s planned with care, some cultural understanding, and genuine Pacific warmth. But choosing not to have one can also be thoughtful and respectful.

Whatever your workplace decides, may this season bring rest, connection, and gratitude for all the hands and hearts that have carried us through the year.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays: Manuia le Kerisimasi, Kilisimasi Fiefia, Merry Kirihimete, Kesmas Lelei, Marau Ni Siga Ni Sucu, and blessings to you and your workplace in the new year.