Halloween has become about children dressing up in scary costumes and going door-knocking in the hope of sweets.
But some communities go dark on Halloween for a different reason, because they feel invaded by too many children from other neighbourhoods.
They come in the minivan-load to more upmarket central city neighbourhoods in Auckland – from Sandringham and Otahuhu to Remuera – and this has some residents of those suburbs upset.
"I don't think Halloween is a welfare activity, but I think it's just a friendly activity and shouldn't be taken advantage of," says resident Iain Valentine.
Mr Valentine feels children should only be trick-or-treating in their own neighbourhood and he has a strategy to keep outsiders out of Remuera.
"We tend to say, 'We don't know where you come from. What school do you go to?' If it's not a local school then it's likely that they've come from outside, and if that's the case then we tend to say, 'I think you should go somewhere else.'"
Across town in Freemans Bay resident Rosco Thorby agrees.
"It's a bit of a joke," says Mr Thorby. "I love the community kids coming around because you get to see them growing and that's what I think it's all about."
While some residents are upset that people come to their neighbourhood on Halloween, the kids say they have better lollies and they simply put on a better show.
Some are happy to welcome kids from other suburbs. So while some Auckland residents like to be selective on Halloween, there are those who still like to light up a kids smile no matter where they come from.
3 News
source: newshub archive
