By donating to one or more of these local initiatives, you’ll be helping to make Christmas a lot more joyful for children and families in need. Here’s where to donate toys for Christmas in Christchurch.
The festive season is a time for celebration and joy, but for many Canterbury families facing financial hardship, Christmas can be a challenging time. If you’re looking to make a difference in your local community this year, donating toys to children in need is one of the most meaningful ways to spread Christmas cheer. Whether you’re decluttering your toy cupboard or purchasing new gifts to donate, Christchurch has numerous initiatives that welcome your generosity.
Here’s your complete guide to where you can donate toys for Christmas in Christchurch 2025, helping make the holiday season brighter for local families doing it tough.
Read more: Where to Meet and Take Photos With Santa in Christchurch
Where to donate toys for Christmas in Christchurch:
Mitre 10 New Zealand Toy Collection: Supporting Kiwi Kids Through Kindness Collective
Mitre 10 has launched its annual toy collection in partnership with Kindness Collective, bringing Christmas magic to children across the country who might otherwise go without. This year’s collection runs from November 12 to December 14, 2025, and accepting donations at all participating Mitre 10 stores throughout Christchurch.
Last year, thousands of toys were delivered to families across New Zealand, and with ongoing cost-of-living pressures affecting many households, the need is even greater in 2025. Your donation—whether it’s a toy for a toddler, a craft kit for a primary schooler, or a board game for a teenager—will help spread the Christmas spirit to children in need.
What to donate: New, unwrapped toys suitable for all ages
Collection period: November 12 – December 14, 2025
Drop-off locations: Participating Mitre 10 stores in Christchurch
More information: mitre10.co.nz/kindness
Elf in the Village: Sponsor a Child This Christmas
Elf in the Village is back for 2025, helping bring joy to children and families across Canterbury who are doing it tough this festive season. Run by It Takes a Village, this initiative allows you to sponsor a specific child or family, making your gift feel personal and meaningful.
After signing up, you’ll be matched with a child and receive details including their age, gender, interests, and favourite colours so you can choose gifts that feel special. Gifts must be new and unwrapped, and if possible, include a small donation of wrapping paper to help wrap presents for distribution.
The deadline has been extended to December 9, 2025, giving you extra time to find the perfect gifts and drop them off at the It Takes a Village Hub in New Brighton.
What to donate: New, unwrapped gifts matched to your sponsored child, plus wrapping paper if possible
Collection period: Through December 9, 2025
Drop-off location: It Takes a Village Hub – 133 Brighton Mall, New Brighton
Contact: [email protected] or call 027 326 0683
More information: Register online here to be matched with a child
Foster Hope Christchurch: Supporting Children in Care
Foster Hope Christchurch continues its vital work providing Christmas gifts to children in foster care and those from whānau and kinship care arrangements. They’re seeking donations of toys, games, art supplies, sports equipment, and age-appropriate gifts for teenagers including personal care items.
Whether you’re donating a box of LEGO, a set of art supplies, or sports balls, your contribution helps brighten the holidays for children who might not otherwise receive gifts. Foster Hope typically sets an early December deadline for donations to ensure all gifts can be sorted and distributed before Christmas.
What to donate: Toys, games, art supplies, sports equipment, teen gifts
Collection period: Through to 5th December (check their Facebook page for exact deadline)
More information: facebook.com/fosterhopechch
The Warehouse Be the Joy: Partnering with Local Charities
The Warehouse’s popular “Be the Joy” campaign returns for 2025, partnering with several national charities including Variety – the Children’s Charity and Women’s Refuge to support Kiwi families facing hardship. Running from November 13 to December 24, 2025, this initiative makes it easy to give back while you shop.
You can add a donation to your online purchase or drop off a new, unwrapped gift at participating stores throughout Christchurch. The Warehouse will distribute all donations to local families, ensuring that Christmas morning is a little brighter for those who need it most.
What to donate: New, unwrapped toys and gifts
Collection period: November 13 – December 24, 2025
Drop-off locations: Participating The Warehouse stores in Christchurch
More information: thewarehouse.co.nz/bethejoy
Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal: Over 30 Years of Spreading Joy
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is celebrating its 32nd year of spreading holiday cheer throughout New Zealand. This iconic Christmas donation drive runs from November 11 to December 24, 2025, and welcomes donations at all Kmart stores across Christchurch.
In partnership with The Salvation Army, Kmart ensures every gift reaches a child or family in need. Simply place a Wishing Tree sticker on your new, unwrapped donation and drop it off at your local store. They’re accepting toys, books, art supplies, gift cards, and even toiletries—anything that could bring a smile to someone’s face this Christmas.
What to donate: New, unwrapped gifts including toys, books, art supplies, gift cards, and toiletries
Collection period: November 11 – December 24, 2025
Drop-off locations: All Kmart stores in Christchurch
More information: kmart.co.nz/kmartwishingtree
Kiwi Christmas Books: The Gift of Reading
Kiwi Christmas Books believes that good books help build good people. Each year, they distribute thousands of quality New Zealand books to tamariki and rangatahi whose families can’t afford to buy their own or who struggle to access quality literature.
Starting November 1st, you can donate brand new Kiwi books—including picture books, chapter books, middle grade fiction, young adult titles, non-fiction, and reference books—either in person or online at participating bookstores throughout the country.
What to donate: Brand new New Zealand books for all ages
Collection period: From November 1
Drop-off locations: Participating bookstores (check their website for locations)
More information: Visit their website here.
Aviva: Supporting Women and Children Escaping Family Violence
Aviva provides safe housing and support services for women and children escaping family violence in Canterbury. This Christmas, they’re collecting gifts to ensure whai ora (people they support) have something special to open on Christmas morning.
Gifts should be new and unwrapped so Aviva can distribute them based on individual likes and interests while ensuring safety and quality. They accept gifts for children aged 5 and up, teens, and adults (including men), with a particular need for the 5+ age range.
You can drop off gifts at Aviva’s new premises or at several convenient Westpac branch locations throughout Christchurch. The deadline is December 12 to allow time for distribution.
What to donate:
- Children: Toys (no weapons), board games, books, backpacks, lunchboxes, craft materials
- Teens/tweens: Clothes, books, stationery, body products, vouchers, sports equipment
- Adults: Clothes, candles, books, pampering items, chocolate, petrol/supermarket vouchers, wrapping supplies
Collection period: Through December 12, 2025
Drop-off locations: Westpac Barrington, Christchurch Central, Papanui, The Palms, Rangiora, and Amberley branches. Aviva’s premises: Unit 4, Amuri Park, 25 Churchill St (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
More information: Visit website here.
Christmas Shoebox Project: More Than Just a Gift
The Christmas Shoebox Project is a nationwide initiative supporting families living in hardship across New Zealand. A Christmas Shoebox represents more than just a gift—it’s a bridge to connection and long-term positive change for struggling families.
You can sponsor a shoebox for a child in your region, and the Christmas Shoebox Project will fill and distribute it via their charity network. Donations over $5 are tax deductible, and you’ll receive an automatic receipt.
How to donate: Sponsor a shoebox online via their donation form (select your region on page 2)
Alternative payment: Bank transfer to Catalytic Foundation: 12-3067-0187344-00 (Reference: Xmas25, your name, and region)
More information: Visit the Christmas Shoebox Project website
Stuff & Water Safety NZ: Teach Kids Safe Swimming This Summer
While not a toy donation drive, this important summer initiative addresses a critical safety issue: more than 130,000 Kiwi kids have never had a swimming lesson, and seven out of 10 can’t tread water. The main barrier is cost—with the average swimming lesson or water safety day costing $70 per child.
Stuff and Water Safety New Zealand are raising funds to provide in-pool lessons or beach and river water safety experiences for school children in New Zealand’s most vulnerable communities. Your donation will directly fund life-saving swimming lessons for kids whose families and schools can’t afford them.
How to donate: Donate online through the Stuff campaign page here
More information: Visit Stuff’s website for the full campaign details
Cholmondeley Children’s Centre: Year-Round Support
Cholmondeley Children’s Centre in Governors Bay has provided respite care for Canterbury children since 1925. You can donate toys for Christmas in Christchurch to Cholmondeley year-round, though Christmas is particularly important.
The Centre requires approximately $3 million annually to operate, with 80% from community donations. They accept toys, games, gift vouchers from retailers like Toyworld and Farmers, and non-perishable food items for Christmas hampers.
What to donate: New toys, games, gift vouchers, non-perishable food
Contact: [email protected]
Website: cholmondeley.org.nz
