Long queues are forming outside the Auckland City Mission which does not expect them to thin quickly.
The mission began its annual distribution of food parcels and presents on Monday.
City Missioner Diane Robertson said the lines for Christmas parcels first started forming at 4.30am. On Friday, the line stretched from the mission on Hobson Street to St Matthew's Church.
Ms Robertson said many people rely on the parcels. Auckland City Mission gives out 11,000 over the course of the year and Ms Robertson expects they will do about 3000 packages before Christmas alone.
The queue outside Auckland City Mission. Photo: RNZ
