Let's Bring the Gift of Christ to

Christmas

Donate towards the 2026 Auckland Santa Parade Nativity Float

I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:10

Last year, Christians from across Auckland did something special.

We came together to build and enter a Nativity float in the Auckland Farmers Santa Parade — bringing the gift of Jesus back to New Zealand’s largest Christmas parade. 

Now we want to do it again, even more boldly and creatively.

  • Every donation will do twice the good, as a corresponding donation will be made to Visionwest’s Christmas From The Heart initiative to bring the joy of Christmas to families in need this Christmas.

  • We’re also launching a Christmas art competition. In partnership with Rhema, we’re inviting amateur artists of all ages and abilities across Aotearoa to explore what Christmas really means. The winner will receive a very special prize — their family will get to dress up and be part of the Nativity float in the 2026 Auckland Farmers Santa Parade.

Donate here
Art competition

Every donation will do twice the good.

For every donation made to this campaign, a corresponding donation will be made to Visionwest’s Christmas From The Heart initiative to bring the joy of Christmas to families in need this Christmas. 

This year, we need to raise $25,000.

Where your donation goes:

  • Auckland Farmers Santa Parade float entry costs*

  • Float transport and trailer hire

  • Costumes and production

  • Sound and music

  • Parade and after-party activations

  • Christmas help for families in need

Donate today and help bring the true meaning of Christmas to Auckland.

Christmas Art Competition

In partnership with Rhema, we’re inviting amateur artists of all ages and abilities across Aotearoa to explore what Christmas really means. The winner will receive a very special prize — their family will get to dress up and be part of the Nativity float in the 2026 Auckland Farmers Santa Parade.

What does Christmas really mean?

We know the usual traditions: Christmas trees, presents, Santa, reindeer, shopping.

But beneath many of the traditions we love is an older story.

A story of God becoming one of us. Of light entering darkness. Of hope, peace and joy to the world. Of the greatest gift ever given.

This Christmas, we're inviting amateur artists of all ages and abilities to explore the meaning of Christmas through art.

Your entry could be a painting, sculpture, photograph, song, dance, poem, digital artwork, craft — or something we haven't thought of yet.

Here are two ways to get creative:

1. Reconnect a Christmas tradition with its origins

Explore the story behind traditions such as:

  • Santa Claus — and the story of St Nicholas, a follower of Jesus remembered for his generosity and care for children.

  • Gift-giving — reflecting the generosity and sacrifice of Jesus leaving heaven to become human.

  • Christmas lights — pointing to Jesus as the light of the world.

  • Christmas itself — from the tradition of “Christ Mass”.

2. Reimagine the Nativity in Aotearoa New Zealand

What would the Nativity look and feel like if it happened here?

You could incorporate uniquely Kiwi elements such as:

  • Pōhutukawa

  • Jandals and gumboots

  • Pavlova

  • Waiata

  • Farming and sheep

  • Swanndri

  • Whānau

What animals would be there? Who might the wise men be? What gifts would they bring? What would Mary and Joseph wear? And where would the “inn” be

The prize

Selected artworks will be showcased publicly.

And our overall winner will receive a particularly unusual prize: Your family* will get to dress up and join the Nativity float in the 2026 Auckland Farmers Santa Parade on Sunday 29 November 2026.

* Participants must be 7 years or older to take part in the Nativity float.

How to enter

To enter:

  1. Create your artwork.

  2. Share it on Instagram or Facebook using #TheGiftOfChristmas, along with a short explanation of the idea behind your artwork. Please note, your account/post needs to be Public so we can see your entry.

  3. Tag Auckland Church Network and Rhema Media.

  4. Share the Givealittle page and invite others to create, share and give.

Entries close Friday 20 November.

Winners will be announced publicly and will be contacted directly.

FAQs

  • The Auckland Santa Parade is run by the Auckland Children’s Christmas Parade Trust, which is a not-for-profit.  

    The standard cost to enter a float is $25,000, which helps to cover costs such as traffic management, road closures, security, and paying event staff.

    This year, we don’t need additional funds to design and build the float - with your help, we managed to do that last year. Thank you!

  • The Auckland Farmers Santa Parade is scheduled for Sunday 29th November. If postponed because of weather, the Parade will take place on Sunday 6th December 2026

  • Yes, all donations of $5 or more are eligible for a rebate. Soon after you donate, Givealittle will issue a receipt to your email address. Because Auckland Church Network is a registered charity with donee status, you can submit this receipt to the IRD.

All donations of $5 or more are tax-deductible

* The Auckland Santa Parade is run by the not-for-profit Auckland Children’s Christmas Parade Trust. The standard cost to enter a float is $25,000+GST, which helps to cover costs such as traffic management, road closures, security, and paying event staff.