Thousands of people have shown their Christmas spirit by taking part in a nationwide Secret Santa for the seventh year running.
New Zealand has just carried out its seventh annual Secret Santa – and even new Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has taken part.
Kiwis sign up to send a stranger an anonymous gift, using their Twitter account as a way of finding out what present might be suitable.
New Zealand has just carried out its seventh annual Secret Santa – and even new Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has taken part
Kiwis sign up to send a stranger an anonymous gift, using their Twitter account as a way of finding out what present might be suitable
The Secret Santa is run by New Zealand Post, and people have been sharing the gifts they’ve received using the hashtag #nzsecretsanta.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern took to Twitter to show off her gift, a Christmas decoration which she plans to place on her Christmas tree.
She received another gift as someone else sent her one when it appeared her first ‘Santa’ would be late to deliver.
She shared videos on social media showing her opening both gifts.
‘Thank you so much, whoever you are!!’ Ms Ardern tweeted on Tuesday.
In turn, the recipient of Ms Ardern’s gift also took to Twitter to show her appreciation.
Kim Dotcom took part in the Secret Santa, showing off a new hat
One Australian who took part was gifted a black bucket hat with a silver fern on it
Rebecca Terry showed off her haul which included a collection of ‘Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls’ and a special Apec pin from the Prime Minister herself.
Another Secret Santa participant received a cross-stitch featuring a profanity-laden tweet from rapper 50 Cent.
Sky News New Zealand bureau chief James O’Doherty praised the sender of his ‘outstanding’ gift, a coffee mug featuring Ms Ardern’s cat Paddles who was tragically run over earlier this year.
Another participant received a special Santa Claus costume for their pet
This lucky participant couldn’t hide her joy at receiving her gift accompanied by a hand-written note
According to New Zealand Post 3623 people signed up for Secret Santa in 2017. In 2016, 8 per cent of people who agreed to take part failed to send any gifts.
Participants are encouraged to sign up using the hashtag #nzsecretsanta and registering before using Twitter to find out what an appropriate gift might be.
A $10 limit is recommended, however some Secret Santas proved to be much more generous, with some of the gifts sent including coffee machines and even iPads.
The New Zealand Secret Santa was created by Sam Elton-Walters in 2010.
Coffee and tea mugs proved popular, such as this one featuring a unicorn