The Christmas Box Story
How it started
In 2001, a simple idea of providing gift-wrapped food boxes to neighbouring families in need sparked a nationwide movement.
What started as a small initiative helping 40 families has now become one of New Zealand’s largest Christmas charity initiatives, partnering with 400+ organisations to make Christmas possible for more than 30,000 families each year, even reaching to thousands in Australia and the Cook Island.
Thanks to generous kiwis, families and businesses, Christmas Box has reached more than one million people since we began—and we’re only getting started.
For families in poverty and hardship, Christmas places strain on an already difficult time where they feel unable to provide for their kids. For one in five children, Christmas means feeling forgotten and going without while neighbouring families celebrate.
Christmas Box brings hope to the table and reminds struggling families they belong and their community sees them and cares for them. This means happy children with full tummies, sharing the love and joy of Christmas with their families.
Christmas Box is more than food essentials and treats; we believe that by bringing hope to the table, the lasting impact goes beyond a treat at Christmas.
What’s in a Christmas Box?
The contents of our boxes have been carefully considered to provide a full Christmas Breakfast, ingredients for two main meals, complement of hot beverages and pantry staples for a family to enjoy.
“Some people may think it’s just a box of goodies but for a family like mine, it’s such a treat… an amazing thing to receive just before Christmas.”
Clestina,
Christmas Box recipient
Impact since 2001
317,589
Total Families Fed
1,500,000+
Total People Impacted
240,045
New Zealand Families Fed
1,200,000+
New Zealand People Impacted
66,221
Australian Families Fed
330,000+
Australian People Impacted since 2013
11,323
Cook Island Families Fed
56,000+
Cook Island People Impacted since 2013
(All numbers are based on 5 people per box)
It takes a Village
With the help of thousands of volunteers, sponsors and partners all across New Zealand, Christmas Box brings hope to the table from Kaikohe all the way to Invercargill.