Air New Zealand technical staff and Nelson school children feature in a Air New Zealand Christmas television advertisement filmed in a hangar at Nelson Airport.

On Christmas morning 7-year-old Alyahna Sanson-Rejouis knows what she wants to be ticking off Santa's list.

"Some gardening gloves, because I like gardening with my mum and I like picking feijoas, a bike and running shoes with laces that are pink, yellow and purple."

With 14 sleeps to go she can already put a tick next to one of presents, having her run-in with Father Christmas broadcast on television screens in homes and theatres across the country.

Air New Zealand A Nelson Airport hangar is transformed into Santa's workshop for Air New Zealand Christmas ad.

Year two Nelson Central School student Alyahna was chosen with 29 other Nelson primary school children to feature in Air New Zealand's Christmas advertisement, going live this afternoon and to air on Sunday.

Alyahna says she auditioned for the role of one of Santa's elves because she had never been in an ad before.

"I wanted to know how much they practice and what it would be like, and what happened and how busy it would be," she says, sitting next to her friend and fellow elf Amelie McClintock.

1 of 5 MARTIN DE RUYTER Air New Zealand technical staff and Nelson school children feature in a Air New Zealand Christmas television advertisement film in a hangar at Nelson Airport. 2 of 5 MARTIN DE RUYTER Alyahna Sanson-Rejouis and Air New Zealand technical staff member Bronwyn Eyles feature in a Air New Zealand Christmas television advertisement filmed in a hangar at Nelson Airport. 3 of 5 MARTIN DE RUYTER Air New Zealand technical staff and Nelson school children feature in a Air New Zealand Christmas television advertisement film in a hangar at Nelson Airport. 4 of 5 MARTIN DE RUYTER Air New Zealand technical staff Jeremy Broutte, left, Aaron Lytte, John Paul, Jonathon Whyte and Matt Glass were fitted with elf ears for their parts in a Air New Zealand Christmas television advertisement filmed in a hangar at Nelson Airport. 5 of 5 MARTIN DE RUYTER Air New Zealand technical staff and Nelson school children feature in a Air New Zealand Christmas television advertisement film in a hangar at Nelson Airport.

"I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I want to see me...and my friends," she pipes in as an afterthought.

Amelie, who is seven "but I'll be eight in March", says the acting world is "a bit tiring", but talk of Christmas puts that at bay.

"I'm excited because every Christmas I sleep upstairs in my brother's room. We normally wake up at about six something, or five, and I get him to run down and grab my stocking."

This year Amelie had been "good and bad, half and half" so she's sure her stocking will be brimming with two packets of mint bubble gum, Wonka nerds and her own elf hat.

"And a pair of shoes because I like running and Alyahna has come first in both cross countries. And a pet guinea pig."

The two girls in miniature Air New Zealand overalls, with work boots and elf hats, look just the part on set at Santa's workshop. Gold, silver, green and red glittery baubles light up the Air New Zealand maintenance hangar at Nelson Airport.

MARTIN DE RUYTER Air New Zealand technical staff and Nelson school children feature in a Air New Zealand Christmas television advertisement.

Rolls of Christmas wrapping paper and ribbon litter the space, as evidence of their use - wrapped presents - are piled high under Christmas trees and work benches.

"Roll camera", "cut", "re-take" interrupt looped Christmas songs.

The 30 little elves from Nelson Central School and Victory School mix with big elves, Air New Zealand staff, getting all the presents ready. A giant clock marked five to twelve puts pressure on their work. But there's still time for morning tea and snack breaks of fruit, water and scones.

Air New Zealand head of global brand Jodi Williams said the company chose Nelson to shoot the ad as it was a key regional port and "it really ticked all the boxes for us".

"We love being able to include our staff. Nelson gave us the perfect opportunity and environment to use our engineers here and extend it out to our community."

The ad showing the elves hard at work in Santa's workshop will lead into the week where Air New Zealand has Santa on board some regional flights handing out presents, including tickets for international flights.

Williams says its all about doing something "feel good" for the special time of year.

"It's what this is all about, because there is something special about Christmas. For Air New Zealand we carry people over Christmas who are travelling to be with friends and family. It brings some celebration to everyone's travel.

"It's been a big year for everyone, there's lots going in the world and sometimes it's nice to take stock and just celebrate."