Volunteers at charities across the country have spent hours feeding thousands of Kiwis struggling to make ends meet this Christmas.
At the Auckland City Mission, dozens of volunteers were up since 4am preparing a special meal.
Chef Debbie Tugaga told 1News they made "30 extremely large trifles", along with 120kgs of ham, 50kgs of potato salad and 30 kgs of salad.
Around 560 people celebrated the day at the mission – many of them women and mothers "who are doing it on their own", Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson said.
But good kai wasn’t the only thing on offer.
At Wellington charity The Inn, free haircuts were being given out to those who are less fortunate.
"I just love helping out," the hairdresser explained.
"I love putting a smile on people’s faces, and this is one way I can do it."
Others are spending Christmas with charities for the company.
"We come down here to have a community Christmas rather than being on our own," one man explained.
"I was gonna be spending it with my cat, but my cat is sleeping in the corner, and I'm having a lovely time here making new friends," another explained.
But charities behind these events say they're facing a growing challenge.
"The struggle in our communities is intensifying beyond all recognition," Variety Children’s Charity CEO Susan Glasgow said.
"Right now, I've got over 2000 children waiting for a New Zealander to step up and sponsor them."
The rising cost of living is increasing demand, while also slowing down donations.
KidsCan Charitable Trust CEO Julie Chapman said they have 200 schools and early childhood centres waiting for extra support.
"The biggest waiting list we've had since 2018 but less funding coming in," she said.
Robinson said they were forced to cap numbers, with the mission and their partners distributing 8000 food boxes in Auckland in recent weeks.
She said the number is nowhere near the 200,000 Aucklanders struggling to feed their families.
"If there was anyone I would love to dedicate Christmas Day to, it is those women who are raising children alone," Robinson said.
"They're the bravest and most resilient people in our country."
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