The Auckland street that goes all out for Halloween

Wednesday, 31 October 2018

Halloween in full swing at The Circle in Manly, north Auckland.

A north Auckland street well-known for its annual Halloween shenanigans has gotten bigger and better this year, with thousands being spent on decorations for the sake of community spirit.

The Circle in Manly has a reputation for putting on a good night for families as a way of isolating Halloween to a safe, fun night, rather than ghoulish trouble and annoyance.

The event was widely anticipated on local Facebook groups and the Whangaparāoa Family Pharmacy collected lollies to help residents deal with the demand.

Veronika Cox didn't participate in the Halloween event one year and felt 'really guilty'.

To keep everyone safe, there was just one rule: Only door-knock houses that displayed an orange balloon on their mailbox.

**READ MORE:

'The Witches' and their 'Children Bone Broth'.

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* Police remind the public to celebrate Halloween safely**

Siblings Georgia and Billy Dowd lived in the United Kingdom for eight years, where Halloween was considered a big deal. When they moved to New Zealand, they bought their Halloween spirit with them.

'It's always been the one holiday I've looked forward to. I like it more than Christmas to be honest,' Billy said.

The pair took time off university and school to set up their house after a month of planning, at a cost of about $2000.

Wade Maurice was this year's host for The Circle residents' after-party.

The pair were previously inspired by killer clowns for their decorations. This year they drew from horror movies to build a scene from a car crash and a kidnapping, based on the stereotype of white vans luring children in with lollies.

'This ones pushing the limits. We wanted something to scare the adults too,' Georgia said.

'If you scare the adults, it's hilarious,' Billy said, citing a time when a man got angry at him after his girlfriend got scared.

The pair said they wouldn't be surprised to see complaints on Facebook the next day, but didn't care. A line of eager residents waiting to see the property went across the road.

Lisa Clarke, her cousin Tracy Lyness and son Charlie Teviotdale, or 'The Witches', have been decorating their house for 10 years.

The Pryde family enjoys a safe night out.

'It just started out small and kept growing and growing. It's a nice and safe environment for the kids.'

This year they drove almost an hour away to Penrose to get dry ice for their cauldron, or 'Children Bone Broth'.

There were some furry friends dressed up on the night, including Puku.

This is the fourth year that Angus Goodrick has participated.

'There are so many children and families on this street. The balloons keep everyone safe and the kids know which houses to visit.'

Wade Maurice said the neighbours took turns at hosting a barbecue for the residents after the crowds went home. It was his turn this year.

'It brings people out. I just met Mike from across the street who's new.'

Veronika Cox didn't take part last year, and felt really guilty.

'There's 500 to 800 disappointed kids if you don't [take part].'

When asked what the inspiration was for their decorations, her son Marco Kirkwood responded with 'We're a family of psychos'.

The road's Halloween antics are notorious enough that a real estate agent told Chris Sandall about it three years ago when she moved to The Circle.

'It's good fun,' she said.

An unscientific poll on Neighbourly revealed that 36 per cent of voters approved of Halloween, while 64 per cent did not.