Give a gift, share the aroha this Christmas
4th of November, 2026
Last Christmas, Nicky was supporting a solo mum who had left a violent relationship. With her five children and her elderly mother, she had no home of her own and was staying in temporary accommodation while Aviva supported her.
Just before Christmas, Nicky arrived with a box of food, a big box of presents, and gift vouchers for the whole family. All of it was donated.
“The kids were so excited,” he says. “Even the grandmother was in tears.”
“That’s the best time,” says Nicky. “Seeing families like this, every year. It’s all thanks to our community of supporters.”
Every gift counts
At Christmas, community support can give tāngata whaiora practical help, dignity and moments of joy when they need them most.
“When someone has had to leave home with very little, a supermarket or petrol voucher - or a new, thoughtfully chosen gift for a child - can make an immediate difference,” Jane says.
Aviva connects that generosity with the people who need it. Kaimahi listen to each whānau and make sure donated items and vouchers are useful, appropriate and reach the right people.
By Christmas 2027, success will mean more people receiving the right support sooner - and more opportunities to prevent harm before it begins.
“Most importantly,” says Jane Cartwright, CEO of Aviva, “we’ll keep supporting the people who need it, person by person and whānau by whānau.”
Donating Gifts
This Christmas, you can help. Donate supermarket or petrol vouchers, or new, unwrapped gifts from Aviva’s requested-gifts list.
New, unwrapped and age-appropriate gifts can be placed underneath your nearest Giving Tree or dropped off at Aviva's Amuri Park Offices
Unit 4 Amuri Park
25 Churchill St
Christchurch
If you have a large number of gifts you would like to contact - email sammym@aviva.org.nz to arrange pick up or delivery.
Items we are unable to accept
While we greatly appreciate the generosity of our community, our storage capacity, client needs, and available staff resources mean we are unable to accept the following items:
- Furniture
- Whiteware
- Baby items such as second-hand wooden cots, walkers or car seats
- Second hand bedding and household items (kitchenware, cutlery, etc.)
- Second hand electrical items (unless tagged and tested by a professional)
- Perishable food items
- Damaged, expired or opened goods
- Pills of any kind (including vitamins and supplements)
- Lighters, cigarettes or alcohol
- Second hand soft toys
- Toy weapons such as nerf guns, water pistols, or lightsabres
Find out where you can donate these items instead.
Financial donations also help provide free specialist support and develop prevention programmes earlier.
Make a contribution today to give tamariki and whānau a safer Christmas.