How the call works

  1. Book it

    Your child’s first name and age, what Santa should praise, and the number to ring.

  2. Pick the moment

    Straight away, or a day and time you choose between 8am and 8pm, New Zealand time.

  3. The phone rings

    Answer it and hand it over. Santa says hello by name, asks what they would like for Christmas and waits for the answer.

  4. Keep it

    Santa’s message is emailed to you afterwards. Tick one box and you get a recording of the whole call too.

Why a call that comes to you works better

A number your child rings means waiting, engaged tones and a voice that knows nothing about them. A call that arrives is a surprise. The phone rings, you look at the screen and say, “It’s for you.” Most of the magic happens before Santa has said a word.

If nobody answers

Santa rings up to 3 times, about 10 minutes apart. If he still cannot get through, the message is emailed to you with a screen that looks like an incoming call from Santa, so nothing is lost. If voicemail picks up, he leaves the message there.

Make his name show on the screen

The call comes from a New Zealand number. Your receipt email gives you that number, so you can save it in your contacts as “Santa” before the phone rings.

A recording of the call, if you want one

Tick “record the call” when you order, and we record the whole call: Santa, your child, and whatever they ask for. It is emailed to you a few minutes after the call, free. It is the bit most families end up sending to the grandparents. Leave the box unticked and nothing is recorded.

What we do with your number

It is used for this call and nothing else. Once the call is over it is deleted from the order. See the privacy notice.

Questions about the phone call

Is Santa on the line live?

No. It is a message made for your child, in a computer-made Santa voice, that says their name. On a phone call Santa asks what they would like for Christmas and pauses while they answer, but nobody is live on the line and Santa cannot reply to what they say.

Can I get a recording of the call?

Yes, for free. Tick “record the call” when you order and we record the whole call, both Santa and your child, including what they ask for. It is emailed to you a few minutes after the call. Leave the box unticked and nothing is recorded.

How much does a Santa call cost?

A phone call from Santa is $3.79. A Santa message by email is $1.87. Prices are in New Zealand dollars and you pay once, by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

When will the phone ring?

You choose. Santa can ring as soon as the message is ready, usually a minute or two after you pay, or at a day and time you book. Calls are made between 8am and 8pm, New Zealand time.

What if we miss the call?

Santa rings up to 3 times, about 10 minutes apart. If nobody picks up, the message is emailed to you instead, with a page that looks like Santa is calling, so the moment is not lost.

What if it goes to voicemail?

Santa leaves the message on the voicemail, and the same message is emailed to you as an MP3. Turn voicemail off for the evening if you want the phone to keep ringing until someone answers.

Which phone numbers can Santa ring?

New Zealand mobiles and landlines. The call comes from a New Zealand number, so save it as “Santa” beforehand if you want his name to show on the screen. Your receipt email tells you how.

What does Santa say?

He says hello by name, mentions the thing you chose to praise and talks about the trip down to New Zealand. On a phone call he then asks what they would like for Christmas and waits for the answer. He asks for an early night on Christmas Eve and says goodbye by name. It runs for about a minute.

My child's name is often said wrong. Will Santa get it right?

There is a “how to say it” box on the form. Spell the name the way it sounds, for example SHEV-awn for Siobhan, and that is what Santa reads. If it still comes out wrong, reply to your order email and we will remake it.

What do you keep about my child?

A first name and an age range. No surname, birthday, address or photo. The name is never sent to the payment company. For a phone call we keep your number until the call is over, then delete it. If you asked for a recording, we keep a copy for a year so you can download it again. You can ask us to delete the whole order at any time.

Can I order for more than one child?

Yes. Each message says one name, so place one order for each child. Brothers and sisters can each get their own call.

Can I get a refund?

If the message does not arrive, the call is never made, or the name comes out wrong and we cannot fix it, you get your money back. Reply to your order email. Your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act are not affected.

Do you call or email outside New Zealand?

Not yet. Santa Call NZ rings New Zealand numbers only for now. The emailed message can be opened anywhere.

Book the phone to ring

$3.79. Two minutes to book, and Santa can ring a minute or two later.

Book the call