Porirua families can swap a non-perishable food donation for a ride on Aotea Lagoon’s miniature train when Cans for Christmas returns on Sunday 22 November.
The event starts at 1pm, with the Porirua Salvation Army and the Lions Club of Aotea Rail joining forces to turn a popular family outing into a Christmas food collection.
Instead of paying the usual fare, passengers are invited to bring a non-perishable item such as canned food, rice or pasta. There will also be a sausage sizzle and bake sale at the lagoon, with EFTPOS available.
Cans for Christmas has become a regular part of Porirua’s lead-up to the festive season. A 2024 event at the lagoon collected food and raised money for Christmas food hampers. The following year, the Porirua Salvation Army again invited people to bring food for its foodbank or make a donation in return for a train ride.
The local Salvation Army’s Community Ministries centre in Cannons Creek provides food parcels for people needing assistance, alongside budgeting advice, social work and other practical family support. The Christmas collection gives residents a way to help put food on local tables while enjoying an afternoon with their children.
The miniature railway has its own place in Porirua history. The train service has operated at Aotea Lagoon since 1979, run by the Lions Club of Aotea Rail, with the track and station maintained and improved over the years.
On an ordinary Sunday, a ride costs $3 per person. Porirua City Council says each trip includes two circuits of the park and takes about 10 minutes. For Cans for Christmas, the advertised exchange is a non-perishable food item instead of that usual ticket price.
The train station is at the southern end of Aotea Lagoon, off State Highway 59 in Papakōwhai. The reserve also has playgrounds and picnic areas, so families can enjoy other activities during their visit.
The event is scheduled for Sunday 22 November from 1pm. If it is affected by rain, Sunday 6 December is the alternative date.