By Sanele Chadwick
Children lining the streets with bags of lollies has become a popular sight in New Zealand during Halloween. The event has grown in popularity here over the past few years but many people don't know the true origin of the festival.
Cathryn Oliver has been organising safe trick or treating with neighbours for years.
“This year's theme is spiders, and cobwebs, and creepy crawlies,” she says.
Parents know which houses their children will visit by organising with neighbours beforehand, which has made Halloween a community affair.
“Once people realised how much fun they were having down here and going out on the street in masses in boy groups, and girl groupos, and big groups, and little groups, the whole street just wanted to buy in,” says Mrs Oliver.
Retailers are profiting from Halloween's growing popularity in New Zealand too.
“Sales wise we're looking for a sixteen percent growth overall versus last year. But next year I can see that growing even more to even 20 to 30 percent for halloween specific items,” says Halloween buyer Lonnica van Engelen.
Jacqui Whall's been working at First Scene Costume Hire for 11-years and noticed a growing demand for Halloween costumes.
“Every year it's definitely getting bigger. We had a whole lot of Saturday Halloween parties, expecting big today Halloween parties, and also this weekend as well,” she says.
Although more and more Kiwis are celebrating Halloween, many of us aren't sure of its origins.
Just as the Easter Bunny has come to represent Easter trick or treating has done the same for All Saints Day.
Catholic theologian Father Merv Duffy wants people to understand Halloween's significance, but he's not about to tell people they shouldn't go trick or treating.
“It's pretend, it's entertainment, it's a good time for kids,” he says.
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