Kiwi kids send Santa requests ahead of Christmas

New Zealand Post has so far received 64,037 physical and online letters from children for Santa. Photo / iStock

Kiwi kids have bombarded Santa with tens of thousands of letters, and high-tech toys top the list.

New Zealand Post has so far received 64,037 physical and online letters from children, detailing their expectations come Christmas morning.

Among the letters were interesting requests, said Letters to Santa coordinator Katey Cameron.

One girl asked for video games and world peace, and a boy made an ambitious request for dinosaur DNA, real dinosaur bones and a remote-controlled dinosaur.

iPads and iPhones were among the most popular gifts requested, along with Nerf guns, dolls, make-up and mermaid toys.

Many children also asked for Santa to call or write. To keep the dream alive, parents can can download a reply from Santa on the NZ Post website.

In the meantime, kids still have a few more weeks to wait to see if that iPad comes down the chimney.

Popular present requests

• Lego
• iPad
• iPhone
• Mermaid tail (very popular)
• Barbie
• Make up
• Nerf guns, Nerf bow and arrow
• Trampoline
• "Frozen" dolls
• Art supplies
• Pets - mostly cats, but there was a request for guinea pig and a request for a new fish to replace the one that died.

Unusual requests:

•A new brother or sister, one child wanted swap out his brother for a new one.
•A new best friend and a request to keep the same best friend.