Christmas day will be a time for learning for hundreds of prisoners who'll prepare the festive meal for more than 7500 people in prison.
Prisoners who are a part of industry training and employment in prison kitchens will prepare and cook the meals under the supervision of qualified instructors.
The process is all part of rehabilitation, with corrections hoping the training will prepare people behind bars for the workforce on their release from custody.
What's on the menu?
The Department of Corrections said that Christmas lunch will be the same all around the country and very similar to what they've offered in the past.
Many of us worry about the budget blowing out when Christmas comes around but Corrections said the Christmas menu will cost just $1.10 more than a normal meal.
That is the cost of a normal daily menu of $6.53, plus $1.10 for the addition of two fruit mince tarts.
"A basic, nutritious meal will be served on Christmas Day, with roast chicken and vegetables for lunch, and chicken with rice and salad for dinner, along with two fruit mince tarts to acknowledge the day," chief custodial officer Neil Beales said.
For all the prisoners that are vegetarian, they'll be offered crumbed spinach and pumpkin patties for Christmas lunch, while falafel, rice and salad is on the menu for dinner.
The Department of Corrections hopes the Christmas period can be special for all their prisoners with activities on offer and a chance for families to reconnect. But COVID-19 restrictions have limited in-person gatherings.
"We know Christmas can be a really difficult time, particularly for the families of men and women in prison," Beales said. "Throughout December our sites provided whānau activities where children are able to read books, make gifts and play games with their mum or dad to celebrate the season.
"Christmas day is much the same as any other day in prison, but where possible we offer additional sports and other activities.
"COVID-19 restrictions have meant that Auckland prisons have not been able to host face-to-face visits, however we have provided people in prison with additional phone cards to ensure their contact with friends and whānau continues."
Prisoners in Hawke's Bay have been trying to give back to the local community.
Men at Hawkes Bay regional prison have been sewing advent calendars for children in the local area, filled with treats donated by prison staff and their families.
"The men sewed 30 calendars, 104 Christmas decorations, and a number of table runners, which have all been distributed to local charities including Re-Source Hawkes Bay, The Acorn Project, and Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga," Corrections said.
With many New Zealanders getting a well-deserved break, Beales wanted to thank all the staff that work all year round in prisons but particularly over the Christmas and New Year period.
"Corrections operates 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, so I'd like to acknowledge our frontline staff who will be working," Beales said. "Thank you to each and every one of you for your commitment to supporting the people we manage to make meaningful change to their lives, and for keeping our prisons and communities safe throughout the holiday period.
"It's also important for us to recognise that a large number of our staff will be working on Christmas Day and right throughout the break."
The festive spirit has been on full display with staff at prisons and community corrections sites across New Zealand.
They have been collecting gifts for both the children of prisoners and local charities, while staff at the national office have donated 13 boxes of gifts and essential items to the Wellington City Mission.
