A young Kiwi kid got the most important job in the city at the weekend; lighting up New Zealand's tallest Christmas tree in red and green.
Percy Maka and his family were handpicked by children's charity Variety to have tonight's special task as part of the official opening of the Christmas Wonderland at the base of the Sky Tower.
Percy is a recipient of a Variety Gold Heart Scholar for his athletic talent, specifically in discus and shotput. The Gold Heart Scholarship helps Kiwi kids talented in the arts, sports or education to reach their full potential and overcome personal challenges.
"I was very excited to turn the Christmas lights on," Percy told Newshub. "It was very awesome and a privilege to be here. Merry Christmas everybody!"
The official opening kicked off the Christmas Wonderland below the Sky Tower, open to the public every day, complete with a huge snow globe with life-size gingerbread men, Santa's sleigh, post box to the North pole, and more than 60 Christmas trees.
According to a statement from the Sky City team, closer to Christmas, the festivities will double in size, with Federal Street closing to vehicles from 14-24 December to make way for daily Christmas markets, pop up bars and food outlets, and more entertainment every day from midday.
"Christmas is a magical time of year, though this can often be lost in the rush of it all. This year we wanted to up the ante and deliver our biggest and most magical pop-up yet; a place where everyone, young and old, can come to get lost in the magic of Christmas," Sky City COO Michael Ahearne says.
The Sky Tower will be lit up in festive red and green until December 27.
Newshub.
