This project is a way to spread Christmas magic to Lower Hutt children. It started in 2019 as requests on Lower Hutt Community Facebook groups with help for Christmas presents. It developed organically as a response to the needs of our Lower Hutt community facing financial hardship. In 2023, through the Pay It Forward Lower Hutt Facebook page, 145 children received presents. Last year, we supported nearly 400 children! Thank you so much to everyone who has supported this project. It means a lot to the children, their families and us as organisers. 

As a small scale project with only two volunteers running it, we faced challenges upscaling (the presents take up a lot of space and co-ordinating pick-ups individually is a lot more work for nearly 400 kids). We are reconsidering how this project can work with other organisations to further this project.

This is a volunteer run project that does not have institutional barriers to seeking support. We organise present distribution with caregivers directly. 

Children benefit from receiving personalised presents. Santas get to create Christmas magic, build community and increase hauora. Local small businesses benefit by supporting and engaging with their community. 

Many people are doing it tough in our community and we want to facilitate the spreading of Christmas joy and remove stress for local families this Christmas.

Building this community is circular. We think that spreading Christmas joy and a sense of community will sow the seeds for all children and families involved to connect other community projects and do amazing things. 

If you want to share about being a secret santa, please tag post on our Facebook Page or tag us on Instagram @huttsantas and use #huttsanta. 

We would love it if you followed us on social media and signed up to our e-mail list so we can work on building a network capable of helping even more kids.

1. Sign up to be a santa.

2. Wait to be contacted about the interests and age of the children you have been personally matched with.

3. Check out our FAQ.

4. Buy personalised gifts.

5. Label with the identifying Santa Mail code you have been given.

6. Organise present drop off with us. Santas can drop off Monday-Friday, 9-3pm to 33 Wise Street, Wainuiomata. Shop hours at Forage Merchants, Expressions Hair and Beauty (Wainuiomata), The Outdoors Hut (Upper Hutt).
   Last day for present drop off is Friday 6 December.

7. Have a Meri Kirihimete/ Merry Christmas!

1. Nominate children via the form before November 22.

2. If you need help, please e-mail admin@huttcommunity.co.nz.

3. You will be contacted if we need more information, if the nomination is ineligible or can't be accommodated.

4. You will be contacted with information about collection with your Santa Mail code.

5. Have a Meri Kirihimete/ Merry Christmas!

1. We will gladly accept donations of presents. You could buy extras of items you are already buying. You do not have to sign up to be a santa to do this.

2. E-mail or drop off vouchers - we would love to choose personalised gifts for children on your behalf.

3. Buy from our Amazon wishlist and have presents shipped direct to us.

4. Buy an amazing picture book Enough - A story about community. This book beautifully aligns with our kaupapa and is a great gift. Deborah Hinde has partnered with us to sell these books as a fundraiser. The money raised will be used to buy presents and Christmas hampers. Buy books from Deborah Hinde's Hutt Community store here or from the Kokiri Marae Pātaka Kai shop.

5. Shop For Good at one of the local small businesses that are helping us!

6. Tell people about this project, volunteer or come to one of our events.

Contact admin@huttcommunity.co.nz or connect with our socials