With just 23 days left until Christmas, the Santa parades have been kicking off around the country as spectators lined the streets bright and early for the highly-anticipated festivities.
Today's Christchurch event saw the parade return to the heart of the post-quake city, with this year marking its first year back since 2011.
Christchurch's first parade started 70 years ago with just four hand-drawn floats.
This year, there were more than 130 entries, which featured dancers, marchers and, of course, the jolly old man in a red suit.
And in central Auckland, the streets were lined with eager spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas.
The parade was postponed last weekend following bad weather.
Today marks the 85th anniversary for the Auckland event.
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