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Len and Irene Argent have attended Takapuna Methodist Church's community Christmas dinner for the past four years.
The couple have family to spend the holidays with, but choose to spend Christmas Day at the church's community dinner.
"It's absolutely great. I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas Day," said Mrs Argent.
Takapuna Methodist minister, the Rev Mike Dye, said it was intended as a congenial event for people who would otherwise be spending Christmas on their own.
"We have a meal, a bit of a sing song, and have some presents and games after."
The scene is one repeated at countless other churches, halls and community centres throughout the country. Some, like the Auckland City Mission's Christmas dinner at the Auckland Town Hall, take place on a massive scale, while others, like the Takapuna event, are more intimate.
But the logistics of organising a mass meal - whether for 100 or 1500 - remains one that is months in the planning.
Organiser for the Takapuna dinner, Christine Peak, said much of December was spent sorting out the final details. This year they prepared 190 meals, up from 170 last year.
The annual dinner, which started in 2000, is supported by four parishes, St Peter's Anglican Church, St Joseph's Catholic Church, St George's Presbyterian Church and the Takapuna Methodist Church. Support also comes from local organisations such as the Milford Rotary club, and businesses such as the local Foodtown.
Volunteer vegetable cook Carol Gardiner has been involved since the beginning. Yesterday, she roasted 20kg each of kumara and potatoes, and 10kg of pumpkins in her kitchen oven - getting up at 6am to get the cooked food into the church by midday.
Asked why she keeps doing it, she said: "Why not? I'm very happy to help."
