Managed isolation facilities across the country are gearing up to make Christmas something special for those inside.
General operations manager Chris Scahill said, at MIQ, they are committed to giving returnees the best festive experience they can, while keeping them, staff and communities safe from Covid-19.
"On Christmas day we're expecting around 3200 returnees in our 32 facilities – about 500 will be children."
He said staff across the facilities are organising a range of different festive activities and experiences for returnees, including special festive meals for Christmas day, Christmas trees and music.
"Menus will vary across the facilities, but returnees will be tucking into a variety of festive fare, such as roast turkey with stuffing, glazed ham, tofu and mushrooms for the vegetarians, and sweet treats such as cookies for children on Christmas Eve, pavlova with strawberries, Christmas mince pies and candy canes, and a complimentary glass of bubbles or sparking grape juice."
Examples of festive season specials at some facilities include a reindeer food station being set-up outside for the kids to feed them the night before Christmas, Christmas stockings on doors and cookies on Christmas Eve for children to decorate.
At one facility, it's even rumoured there'll be an onsite "in-house" Santa.
Scahill said they are encouraging returnees to create festive window art with whatever they have to hand and are also planning several surprises for returnees to bring them some festive cheer.
"We've been reassured that Santa will be allowed into Aotearoa this year. When visiting managed isolation facilities, he will of course strictly follow all health and safety rules.
"Some facilities are extending the good cheer out to New Year's Eve, such as petit fours and a glass of bubbles to have at midnight."
