The Auckland City Mission starts giving out Christmas presents and food parcels from today- at sites around the region, rather than its usual venue in the central city.
From Eden Park, to marae in South Auckland, the wider community is getting behind the mission like never before this festive season, the organisation says, but it is still appealing for help "to ensure all children get the Christmas they deserve".
The mission is operating temporarily in Union St in the CBD while construction work gets under way for its new facility at its Hobson St site.
Auckland City Missioner Chris Farrelly said that had forced some changes to this year's operation.
"From today we begin distributing our emergency Christmas food parcels and presents – but instead of doing that from Hobson St, thanks to enormous community support we are operating out of Eden Park and the Ngā Whare Waatea Marae in Mangere.