Charities have resorted to un-wrapping donated goods this year to ensure children don't end up with a nasty surprise on Christmas morning.

It's day nine of the Mission's annual Christmas programme and the lines continue to grow. Volunteers at Auckland's City Mission spend hours un-wrapping wrapped presents before sorting them into age and gender groups for the more than 3,000 families expected to pick up a food parcel over the next three weeks. It's hoped 6,000 children in these families will also take home a present.

Auckland City Missioner, Dame Diane Robertson said while it's not an everyday occurrence, they sometimes do find half-eaten food, dirty clothing, and worse in amongst the items sent in. But she’s focusing on the more than 1,500 families who’ve already taken home food parcels and presents. She said this year families have greater needs than ever before. Tens of thousands of people seek help from the City Mission every Christmas. Of the families given parcels so far, 459 are new to the mission, that's almost a third more than last year and a noticeable rise she said.

Sometimes tough decisions are being made by volunteers handing out food parcels, they're just keeping up with the hundreds of people lining up every day. Food donations were initially less than last year. In the present room it's much louder as volunteers sort through items into family packs.

Coordinator Fiona Flynn said she really does feel like Santa giving out all the presents, but would like to be able to give more. Mrs Flynn said the hardest thing is reining themselves in, and trying to spread the donations out across the weeks. She's short on girls' presents this year and teenage boys' gifts are hard to find.

Solo Mother Nicole Williams' 17 year-old son is battling cancer. Ms Williams said the Mission is the main place struggling families turn to over the festive season. She said she can't find work and the power bills are getting higher, so having extra food in the cupboard makes it easier to prepare for Christmas.

The Auckland City Mission Christmas Appeal is accepting donations at 140 Hobson Street right up until Christmas Eve.