Christmas in Otago yesterday doubled as an example of how the world could be, with cultures and religions working peacefully together to help those lonely or in need.

Saudi Arabian Muslims volunteered with Christians and atheists alike at Dunedin's Christmas dinner in the town hall as less fortunate children were delivered presents in city suburbs and adoptees and foster children dined in luxury on a cruise ship at Port Chalmers.

In the regions, the community rallied to offer Christmas dinner to those who would struggle to pay for it themselves, or who would otherwise spend the day alone.

At the Dunedin Town Hall, close to 500 people packed tables at the second community Christmas Day dinner at the venue.

The event moved to the town hall last year after running for a quarter of a century at the St Andrew St Church of Christ.

It was notable this year for a group of young Muslim men in traditional Middle Eastern clothing volunteering as waiters, wending their way from table to table with Christmas dinners.

Moyad Barnawi, who has lived in Dunedin for nine years and had graduated from the University of Otago with a degree in finance and management, said Jesus was believed by Muslims to be a prophet.

‘‘I think it's nice to help and be part of this society,'' he said of the decision to volunteer at the event.

He was also surprised by the reaction he received.

‘‘What's amazed me today is the welcome I've felt.''

Event organiser Grant Hardy, a trustee of the Acts of Kindness Charitable Trust, said having the Saudi Arabian men there was ‘‘a nice, cultural, integrated statement''.‘‘They served the people of this city.

‘‘We didn't have any cultural barriers here.

‘‘It was wonderful.

‘‘It doesn't matter if you're rich or you're poor, you're lonely, you're sad or you're happy, or whatever country you come from, everyone was just pulling together, and that was just beautiful.''

More than 100 volunteers lined up to be involved in the event.

Mr Hardy said some attendees ‘‘struggle to fit in to society'', while some were new to the city and did not know many people.

Some lived alone, while others did not have the money to pay for Christmas.

After the event, Mr Hardy described the day as ‘‘fantastic''.

There were seats for 520, and almost all of those were filled.

The event would ‘‘definitely'' be on again next year.

‘‘You couldn't not do it, could you?''

At one of the tables, Ann Cartwright said she lived on her own, and if the dinner had not been held, would have cooked for herself.

She enjoyed going to the dinner, and seeing some of her friends there.

-david.loughrey@odt.co.nz