New Zealand’s prime minister has taken part in the country’s nationwide Secret Santa.
New Zealand Post has been running the scheme, in which complete strangers send each other gifts in the post, for the past seven years.
Each festive season New Zealanders send and receive gifts, sharing pictures of the results on social media using the hashtag #NZsecretsanta. This year is the first time the nation’s leader has taken part – recently elected Ardern said that being a “ridiculous lover of Christmas” she couldn’t resist.
On Tuesday, Ardern posted a video on Twitter showing her opening the gift she had received – a homemade Christmas tree decoration. The gift from her allotted anonymous giver was delayed, so she said a “Super Secret Santa stepped up” to send her a present.
So although my #nzsecretsanta didn't quite get there this year, a #SuperSecretSanta stepped up amazingly for me. Thank you so much, whoever you are!! @nzsecretsanta pic.twitter.com/ynnqp4CaeT
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) December 19, 2017
The gift originally meant for Ardern arrived on Wednesday, leaving the prime minister with two presents. Ardern posted a second video showing her opening an artwork by an Auckland school student.
On the same day, the gift sent by Ardern reached its destination, with the recipient Rebecca Terry posting a thank you on Twitter. As well as a book and some body cream, the gift included an Apec pin and a card that gave away the identity of the sender.
It's here!!! Thank you so much #nzsecretsanta I love it all, I've wanted this book for my girls for ages especially! Oh and to those interested, the pin will give away who my santa was...... pic.twitter.com/xp59DFMOcc
— Rebecca Terry (@BecksT84) December 19, 2017
Oh and here's the lovely card ❤ pic.twitter.com/wqbmFvVSPf
— Rebecca Terry (@BecksT84) December 19, 2017
Ardern replied saying she was glad the present, “from your not very Secret Santa”, had made it.
Other participants also shared the joy on Twitter.
I JUST SPAT OUT MY COFFEE MY SECRET SANTA JUST WON CHRISTMAS I WILL TREASURE IT FOREVER ❤️💚 (ft. The best tweet of all time) #nzsecretsanta pic.twitter.com/uWeXb6rGzj
— Alice HOWton (@Alice_Houghton) December 18, 2017
Whoever you are, #nzsecretsanta, you get me. Thank you, and I hope you have a good one. pic.twitter.com/qTDmN6ruU9
— HAppyhanukkahandmerrychristmasmotherfuckers (@MtAlbertMassive) December 19, 2017
The game was started in 2010 by Hamilton man Sam Elton-Walters, who matched strangers on Twitter to send Secret Santa gifts to each other in time for Christmas. Participants would drop hints of their interests and hobbies via tweets – or, more directly, write lists of gifts they would like to receive.
When the endeavour became too big for Elton-Walters to manage, he handed the torch in 2013 to New Zealand Post which assigned a team of 10 “elves” to run it.
In 2017 New Zealand Post said more than 3,600 people had taken part. In 2016, 8% of those involved were “Bad Santas” – participants who registered to receive gifts, but failed to send any.
