Green and red lights heralded the beginning of the festive season, as the Sky Tower turned into the country's biggest Christmas tree.
The tallest structure in New Zealand will glow red and green for the month of December.
Last night, Aucklanders Kevin and Stephanie Belz and their children Jack, 10, and Charlotte, 8, helped Santa Claus to do the honours and light up the tower.
The family are well known to the KidzFirst Children's Hospital, in South Auckland, where both children have received treatment. KidzFirst has been supported by SkyCity for nearly 10 years.
Mrs Belz said her children had received both minor and major treatment at the hospital. She could not praise the staff and facilities highly enough.
"Jack has some hearing issues and associated things with that - with confidence, anxiety and that kind of thing."
Charlotte had a week in KidzFirst for a cyst on her neck when she was younger.
Mrs Belz said her daughter was just 1 when she had surgery. It was a difficult time for the family.
"At that age, even more so for a parent - it's a really scary thing to have a young child in hospital like that," she said. "The fact that the staff there were so good and the facilities were so good, that just takes so much stress off you for a start.
"My experience there with her was amazing and it's a slick operation there and fantastic facilities.
"It's great for the people of South Auckland."
The family, who live in the Bombay Hills, were also treated to a night out at SkyCity's Orbit Restaurant before they tackled their big task last night.
Mrs Belz said it was a nice treat for them ahead of Christmas, as well as a birthday celebration for herself.