Thought your office's Secret Santa was complicated? New Zealand has pulled off a nationwide exchange of gifts involving thousands of people, including the Prime Minister.

More than 3,600 people across the country signed up for the challenge, run by the New Zealand Post.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, like many others on social media, shared her present-openings in two videos.

To my #nzsecretsanta, THANK YOU! It was my first year this year too, you did great! I love it 😍 thank you ☺️ p.s this candle smells amaaaaazing !! p.p.s that luggage tag >>>>> awesome lol MERRY CHRISTMAS #nzsecretsanta !! pic.twitter.com/pP920XUh8c — Ariii (@arilasoul) December 20, 2017

The first was a handmade tree decoration she described as "beautiful".

But then she released a second video, saying: "Somehow there's been a bit of a mix up, which ultimately has meant that I've been landed with not one but two SS this year, which makes me very very lucky."


It came with a card describing how the sender had roped their school librarian mother into helping.

Oh my goodness, how blessed am I! Thank you #nzsecretsanta whoever you may be! I absolutely love the gift and even though our doggos may not appreciate them as much, we will get so much joy from them! #perfect #hilarious pic.twitter.com/Md4a2XX4Bv — I'm Just An Ordinary Average MacGuy  (@alanhsmith) December 20, 2017

"I challenged the students to create a little piece of Auckland in your office," the card said.

The present itself, wrapped in red paper with big white spots, was a large framed picture of the city's Sky Tower, drawn by a schoolchild named only as Zara.

All very nice - but she wasn't the only one to do well out of the $10 challenge.

So many gifts! Thank you so so much my wonderful #nzsecretsanta I love everything! When the kids wake I’ll be making a chai coffee in my new cup! So spoilt 💕😭😍 the Polly Pocket - omg gorgeous!! xxxx pic.twitter.com/NGFcxNVA2a — Jessica Orr (@jesshorr1) December 20, 2017

Some of the gifts opened so far have been thoughtful - one person got a notebook and photoblock with their cat's picture on - others have been a PR opportunity for companies, with one tech firm sending an iPad to one woman.

People were asked to sign up on the New Zealand Post's website last month and were then sent details of who they had to buy a gift for.

Participants could drop hints on Twitter using the hashtag #NZSecret Santa.

Those taking part had to send their gifts through New Zealand Post by 10 December, with people receiving their gifts in the last couple of days.