It happens every year. Your child remembers Santaline in November, you ring 0800 222 222, and it is not open yet. Spark's Santa line usually opens around the start of December. In mid-November 2026 its page said it was coming soon.
If they cannot wait that long, here is what works right now.
A call from Santa, today
Santa Call NZ is open now. Santa rings your New Zealand mobile or landline, straight away or at a time you book between 8am and 8pm. He says your child's name, praises something they have done this year, asks what they want for Christmas and waits for the answer. It costs NZ$3.79, with a recording of the call included if you tick the box.
A message from Santa by email
For very young children, or for a moment you want to choose yourself, a Santa message by email is NZ$1.87. It arrives as an MP3 with a link that opens a screen that looks like Santa calling. Play it in the car, at Nana's, or as many times in a row as they ask.
Write to Santa
NZ Post runs Write to Santa every year. Children can write online and get a reply by email, usually within a day. Or they can post a handwritten letter, with no stamp needed, to Santa Claus, c/- Santa's Workshop, North Pole 0001. Put their name and address on the back of the envelope. Posted letters need to arrive by early December to get a reply in the letterbox, so check NZ Post's website for this year's date.
Visit Santa
Santa visits malls, parades and garden centres all over the country from mid-November. Our guide to Santa parades and Christmas events around New Zealand lists the big ones.
Then ring Santaline in December
None of this replaces Santaline. It is free, and dialling Santa yourself is half the fun. When it opens, your child can ring and leave their list. If Santa has already rung them in November, they will have plenty to tell him.
Santaline is run by Spark. Santa Call NZ is a separate New Zealand business and is not connected with Spark or Santaline.
Common questions
Why isn't Santaline working?
Santaline usually only opens around the start of December. Before then the line is closed. Check Spark's website for this year's date.
How can my child talk to Santa before December?
You can book a call from Santa, which rings your phone now, send a Santa message by email, or write to Santa with NZ Post.