Media release, for immediate release, Friday 22 February 2013
Anti-Bullying Success With Kiwi Kids Not Just An Illusion
Award winning magician to visit Whakatane schools.
Having performed for over 700,000 students Elgregoe has become of New Zealand’s top school performers and most
celebrated magicians and he is about to visit Whakatane schools to reinforce his anti–bullying message.
Elgregoe will visit schools in Whakatane on Monday 25 February and Tuesday 26 February (itinerary listed below) to
present his ‘You’ve Got The Power’ show, which teaches children key values and educates them about how to treat others.
Supporting the 2013 school curriculum, his show aims to challenge students to form caring communities, encourages them
to build good relationships and make a positive contribution to their school.
Otherwise known as Greg Britt, Elgregoe and his show assistant and wife Sue, use tricks, puppets, ventriloquism, music,
songs and a variety of props (including live birds), to portray his anti-bullying messages.
Elgregoe’s 2013 ‘You’ve Got The Power’ show, supported by TrustPower, is themed around being a ‘hero’ at school and has
a strong emphasis on anti-bullying. In this year’s show Elgregoe shares the ingredients for good friendships and the
values that make people ‘heroes’. Special guest Seymour the dinosaur learns some tips about dealing with people who
tease him for being green and they welcome back some of the children’s favourite friends such as Zazu the great Macaw
Parrot and Baxter the live rabbit.
The Elgregoe dream began 16 years ago when a school principal said, “if you are a real magician then let’s see if you
can make bullying disappear.”
After thoroughly researching the issue of bullying in schools, Elgregoe decided to create a unique way of challenging
students to have a good attitude at school.
TrustPower partnered with Elgregoe in 2005 after seeing him in action one day at a school sharing his anti-bullying
messages. Elgregoe impressed the TrustPower team with his passion and ability to engage with children. TrustPower now
supports Elgregoe to ensure more Kiwi kids are exposed to Elgregoe’s anti-bullying messages.
TrustPower Community Relations Co-ordinator Suzi Luff says Elgregoe delivers a serious message in a fun way.
“TrustPower is proud to support this anti-bullying programme as it really connects with students and empowers them to
make the right choices. Feedback from schools is that his message is getting through and making a real difference,” says
Mrs Luff.
Elgregoe says although the magic might be an illusion the message is very real.
“I never tire of doing the school shows, students love the show and the teachers love the message reinforcing the
anti-bullying message in a different and memorable way,” says Elgregoe.
In 2009 the Queen appointed Elgregoe a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to education. In the same year he
also received The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand’s Top Children’s Entertainer Award and The Grand Master of Magic
Award, which is one of the highest forms of recognition a New Zealand magician can receive.
The ‘You’ve Got the Power’ show, presented by award winning magician, ventriloquist and presenter Elgregoe will be at
Whakatane Schools on the following days:
Monday, 25 February
Allandale School - 9.15am
Taneatua School - 1.50pm
Tuesday 26 February
Matata Primary and St Josephs Matata combined – 9.30am.
ENDS