Five hundred children who may have otherwise gone without opened presents today, thanks to the kindness of strangers pulled together with the help of a group of dedicated volunteers.
For some of the kids, many born to victims of domestic violence, the $20-capped gift was their first ever.
As the gifts were handed out at a Christmas party last week organised by charity 'The Aunties', some children didn't want to unwrap them - but instead savour holding a present for as long as they could.
"This is incredible for them," The Aunties treasurer and volunteer Phil Warin told Newshub, as she loaded even more gifts into a van, donated from an Auckland company.
"It's really important to make them feel that they are loved and to give them a sense of worth in the world.
"This may be it for their Christmas."
The Aunties work to coordinate donations for womens' refuges in south Auckland, collecting from community organisations, businesses and individuals who have something to give.
"Because some refuges are incredibly secure facilities, and some of the people don't want other people knowing where they live, we work as the intermediate tree between them."
The registered charity works non-stop, year round - but Christmas is an "incredibly busy" time of year for them, Ms Warin says.
"We tend to have a lot of people who need our help over the Christmas period. It tends to be a really tough time in people's lives so there is generally a lot of need.
"Christmas is incredibly scary for a lot of reasons. Emotions tend to run really high at Christmas, people maybe tend to have one too many drinks and then lash out, and things like lack of money becomes very apparent in the New Year."
Their unofficial motto, 'getting shit for the girls', extends past the petrol top-ups, power bills and dentist appointments. Sometimes it's as simple as giving a woman an "everyday food item" - but something they would consider a "luxury". It's something the charity puts a special focus on.
"We never judge how or why this woman's ended up in this situation," Ms Warin says.
"We're just there to help as best we can."
For Christmas, an estimated 200 mothers received tubs filled with chips, dip, scorched almonds, Christmas mince pies, and "just typically what you would have at your Christmas dinner table".
"But their want and need is a gift for their child so their child receives something either on Christmas day or prior to."
Thanks to "incredible" generosity this year, the mothers also received a $100 food voucher. Gifts have flooded in not only from Auckland, but country-wide. Donations of money have also been made from overseas.
Ms Warin says there have been "a lot of good tears".
"It's an incredible reaction. Some of these women have never seen such generosity.
"Just letting them know someone loves them… whether they know that person or not, to be validated and feel equal in this world with no judgement is amazing."
Visit The Aunties' website for more information on how to help, year round.
Newshub.
