Half of Kiwis say they get Christmas gifts they don't want
Christmas is a time of giving - but it seems many Kiwis don't like what they're given. Half of New Zealanders say they receive at least one unwanted gift on Christmas Day and thousands of them have already ended up on Trade Me. Spokesperson Millie Silvester says the majority of Kiwis unwrap between one and three unwanted presents on the holiday, according to findings from a survey of over 1000 people across the country. "Sometimes Santa gets it wrong or you get a double-up - our philosophy has always been that it's better to get that gift to someone who wants it and get yourself some cash to get something you really want. "It makes no sense to have it gather dust in the drawer or under the bed, or even worse thrown out unused and unloved." She said it's become "a bit of a Kiwi tradition to check out unwanted Christmas gifts on Trade Me and we start seeing presents that didn't make the cut appear onsite before Christmas lunch has even had time to digest". There were 40,000 searches for unwanted gifts on Christmas Day, according to Trade Me, as Kiwis started their hunt for bargains. But Ms Silvester says most New Zealanders wouldn't feel offended if the item they had given was sold to someone else - a finding she said was "a surprise". "We thought there'd be a stigma around selling unwanted gifts but 60 percent of Kiwis are all for it." That compares to just 37 percent of people in 2017 saying they would be okay with it. Ms Silvester says it shows how Kiwis are becoming more accepting of unwanted gifts being sold and that Kiwis are "pretty okay with it". New Zealanders have already listed 3000 unwanted gifts on Trade Me including a basket of Barkers chutneys, 52 boxes of Sampler biscuits and a mystery box of women's clothes, Ms Silvester said. In 2017, there were over 16,000 unwanted presents listed and 133,000 searches racked up on Boxing Day as opportunistic sellers and bargain hunters jumped onsite. Ms Silvester said Trade Me has also found that around 83 percent of New Zealanders will pretend to like the present they're given to avoid an awkward situation. "It's reassuring to us to hear most New Zealanders will at least attempt to remain polite and respectful in the face of a present they can't abide." She said the gifts most likely to conjure up fake appreciation were cleaning products, clothes that don't fit and weird craft items, according to the survey. "Amazingly several of survey respondents told us they got spray and wipe for Christmas, while one respondent said a 25kg bag of salt was the worst they'd received. "If you're thinking about selling an unwanted Christmas gift on Trade Me, our hot tips are to give the item a good back story, and avoid items that are personalised or easily identifiable. "You don't want the giver to stumble across it when bargain-hunting onsite!"
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Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.2% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.8% Nah - not for me
Morning Aches Are Optional - Let’s Start the Year Sleeping Better
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Here’s to starting 2026 waking up refreshed, because mornings should feel amazing!
Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland
Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.
A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/
Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.
• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.
• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.
• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.
Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.
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