Media Release
18 December 2009

Gaming and mobile phones top this year’s Christmas wish lists for Kiwi kids

Thousands of Kiwi kids calling Telecom’s Santa Line this year are clear about what they would most like this Christmas ─ a gaming consol or games to play on one.

It seems that indoor activities have replaced last year’s list-topping desire, a bike, with a bike or sporting equipment now the third-placed item on the top-five requests from boys.

For boys, gaming equipment is a definite No 1 choice, but it’s the No 2 choice as far as girls are concerned, with their top object of desire that ultimate communication and fashion accessory, the mobile phone, rated a second choice by boys and No 2 overall.

“While we’re delighted that mobile phones are listed as an object of desire, we don’t have any plans to twist Santa’s arm to deliver them to young people” says Telecom Retail CEO, Alan Gourdie.

“With almost 411,000 calls received since our Santa Line opened on 28 November, Santa’s workshop must be running hot in preparation for the big day, while many of the rest of us are now just counting how many sleeps to go.”

This year’s calls to the Telecom Santa Line show computers, dolls and trampolines are still hot favourites, with girls also showing an interest in Twilight Saga material.

The Santa Line (0800 222 222), which has been operating since 1993, has given millions of children the opportunity to talk to Santa. Children (and adults) can call Santa and email him requests from www.santaline.co.nz until 24 December.

Those travelling to Auckland or Wellington for the Christmas holidays can also include a visit to the Telecom Trees in the itinerary. Children can call Santa from dedicated phone boxes at the base of the Telecom Trees and their voices will activate the lights running from the phone box to the star at the top of the tree. The Auckland Telecom Tree is in Western Park and the Wellington Tree is in Frank Kitts Park until Boxing Day.

In summary, this year’s top five wish list for boys and girls is:

1. Gaming consol/game
2. Cell phone
3. Computer
4. Doll
5. Trampoline

Boy’s Top 5:
1. Gaming consol/game
2. Cell phone
3. Bike/sports equipment
4. Computer
5. Trampoline

Girl’s Top 5:
1. Cell phone
2. Gaming consol/game
3. Doll
4. Twilight Saga material
5. Trampoline

ENDS