The annual Beulah Services Life Education Trust duck race was held on Sunday at Port Ōhope Wharf, with more than 1300 plastic ducks taking to the water and 250 people turning out to watch.  

The community came together on a sunny day to watch the duck races, with families enjoying the activities, food trucks and a sausage sizzle run by the Whakatāne High School Interact Club.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Life Education Trust chairperson John Spring said the day went well, with great weather and a good turnout.

“A lot of young kids were there with their parents and grandparents; the kids were lined up along the bank. It was good to see.”

Life Education mascot, Harold the giraffe, proved popular with the children, who lined up for photos and hugs during the afternoon.

There were two races, the corporate race and the $5 duck race.

The corporate race featured 85 ducks, while about 1300 ducks were sold for the public race.

Spring said the corporate duck sales were particularly important to the event’s financial success, with 85 sold this year compared with 81 last year.

The winner of the corporate race was Beulah Services, the event’s naming sponsor.

Libby Mitchell won the $5 duck race after buying her ticket on the day. She took home $300.

Bryce Wilcox came second, winning $200, and Donna and Ian Wright were third, pocketing $100.

Spring said the support from local businesses reflected the community’s commitment to Life Education.

“It’s a great reflection of the community, how they’re behind Life Ed, where they understand what we do, and their generosity. It’s awesome.”

He is grateful to Beulah Services, New World Whakatāne, Tracks, Whakatāne High School’s Interact Club and the Rotary Club, particularly Richard Underwood, who helped organise the race and collect the ducks.

Colin McGee, volunteered as MC for the event, and Ollie Dobbin ran activities inside the Wharf Shed including colouring-in, stacking games, beanbag throwing and a treasure hunt to find pictures of Harold.

Local hapū Ngāti Hokapū performed a karakia at the start of the event.

Five local schools helped sell duck tickets prior to the event, with Otakiri School selling about 1000 tickets.

Thornton School was the next biggest seller, with about 250 tickets sold, while St Joseph’s, Awakeri and Apanui schools also contributed to the final tally.

The schools received half of the proceeds from the tickets sold, with the trust receiving the other half.

Spring estimates the event will likely make a net profit of about $19,000, up from $17,000 last year.