Santa Claus in the Christmas Parade
He can climb down narrow chimneys – but Santa can’t close State Highway 3 on Christmas Eve.
As he surveyed the parade from his vantage point, Santa certainly approved.
The brakes have been applied to plans for one of his many parades, this one in Piopio.
The town will have its Christmas Jingle and Mingle on the Green on December 24 – but its annual parade is off.
New NZ Transport Authority (NZTA) safety rules have resulted in traffic management costs for closing State Highway 3 – Moa Street, on the parade’s usual route – skyrocketing, organiser Nicky Atkinson told The News.
“Based on total estimates from council and traffic management companies instead of around $900–$1000 we could be looking at $10,000–$14,000 just to close the road from approximately 5.30–8pm,” Atkinson said.
Added to other costs – including insurance, prizes and advertising – the expense required to close the state highway became a bridge too far for organisers.
“The NZTA risk-based traffic management rules require more plans, so the costs for closing the road have risen dramatically. We have known for a while that the days of having our parade on the state highway were numbered. Now the time has come for us to re-evaluate what we do here at Christmas.”
Santa will be appearing at parades in Ōtorohanga on December 5 and Te Kūiti on December 12.
Traditionally held on Christmas Eve, Piopio’s parade has been run by Project Piopio Trust for decades.
The latest cost increase is due to Traffic Management Plan (TMP) requirements and new risk-based assessments. The exact amount is determined by traffic management companies, an NZTA spokesperson said.
“Event organisers are required to provide a TMP. There is a cost from the company providing the service, not NZTA. NZTA will review TMPs to allow roads to be closed, but does not charge for processing applications.”
Although NZTA would not comment on specific cases, the risk-based approach is intended to improve safety.
“Rather than a one-size-fits-all method, the new system tailors traffic management. Crews assess risks choosing controls that fit the conditions,” the spokesperson said. “It’s about making practical decisions that protect workers and road users while keeping traffic moving.”
In Piopio a parade route avoiding the highway was considered, but such a change could not be organised in time for this year’s celebrations.
“We have researched several other options but we have run out of time to meet deadlines and to find more funding and help,” Atkinson said. “We will do what we can to have something for the community this year and we’ll begin early next year with some brainstorming, planning and fundraising for Christmas 2026.”
Piopio Christmas Jingle and Mingle on the Green will deliver festive fun, and a float competition with prizes up for grabs, even though it will be standing still.
“This year, the floats will line up along Weka Street. The crowd will have a good opportunity to look at each float while they mix and mingle with friends and family,” Atkinson said.
Organisers are facing other roadblocks too.
“The companies providing children’s entertainment all seem to close down the weekend before Christmas now, as do the traffic management companies. Also, despite our efforts, we have had no one offer to help Carley Simpson with the parade’s organisation.”
A Christmas miracle won’t save the parade this year but it may return in 2026 if these obstacles can be overcome.
“The parade has been a highlight for our rural town,” Atkinson said. “There’s a lot to do to make events like this happen, but if we can’t get enough help, there will be no more Christmas events at all in future.”
