Santa

Ballantynes, the Christchurch department store known for putting customers first, is seeking a warm, authentic Santa to star in its celebrated Santa’s Grotto this festive season. The role is full-time and onsite at the Ballantynes store in Christchurch, with shifts across both weekdays and weekends. If you enjoy bringing joy to families and can stay in character while delivering friendly, memorable moments, you could be the right fit for this seasonal tradition.

The Santa who fills this role will help create magical experiences that align with Ballantynes’ emphasis on exceptional service. You’ll work alongside photographers and Santa’s Helpers, contributing to a festive atmosphere that resonates with shoppers and children alike. The grotto opens from the 7th of November 2026, and the gig focuses on delivering a lasting impression for customers as part of the store’s holiday storytelling.

A day in the Santa grotto

On shift, you’ll be the central figure for visitors, greeting families as they arrive and guiding them through memorable moments captured in photos. You’ll keep the moment light and joyful, maintain Santa’s persona throughout busy sessions, and coordinate with the photography team and helpers to ensure a smooth flow of visits. The aim is to spark wonder for young guests while also giving adults a warm, festive experience that reflects Ballantynes’ values as a brand ambassador.

Working in a retail setting during peak season means staying patient, adaptable, and attentive to the needs of different guests. You’ll be part of a small grotto crew, helping to create a cohesive, high-quality experience across sessions, while upholding the store’s standards and the magical mood that makes Ballantynes a familiar holiday destination.

What Ballantynes is looking for

The store is prioritising a few core traits that drive a successful Santa experience. These include delivering top-tier customer care with a friendly approach, communicating clearly and warmly with guests, maintaining a welcoming and patient presence, and faithfully representing Ballantynes’ values in public settings.

• Top-tier customer care delivered with a friendly touch
• Clear, warm communication that connects with guests of all ages
• A welcoming, patient demeanour that helps families feel at ease
• Commitment to Ballantynes' values and representing the brand in a positive, professional way

Practical details: schedule, eligibility and deadlines

This is a fixed-term, full-time role performed onsite in Christchurch. The Santa grotto opens from the 7th of November 2026, and hours are scheduled across the week and on weekends to cover the festive period.

Applicants must have current eligibility to work in New Zealand for the duration of the contract and will be subject to checks, including a Ministry of Justice check.

Applications close 2nd November 2026, and Ballantynes notes that interviews may occur during the application process, so the role may close earlier than the end date.

Tips to stand out for this Santa role

Lead your resume with a short, sharp summary that frames you as a capable Santa performer who can deliver warm, family-friendly service in a busy retail setting. If you can cover the grotto opening window and confirm NZ work eligibility, mention that up front to help you stand out from the start.

Back up each must-have skill with concrete, recent examples from past roles. Describe times you greeted families, handled queues with empathy, and kept a brand-safe persona in public spaces. If you’ve worked with photographers or in event-style settings, highlight how you collaborated to capture meaningful moments.

Come prepared to talk about how you maintain Santa’s character during peak times and how you coordinate with photographers and helpers to ensure smooth, joyful sessions. You’ll likely be asked about handling children who are shy or excited at once, so have a few ready, friendly prompts and a calm approach you can share.

Think of a smart question to ask at the end of the interview. Good options include asking about the typical grotto schedule and weekly hours, how the background check timeline works, and whether there is any pre-opening training to help you hit the ground running when the grotto opens on 7 November 2026.

How to apply

Applications close 2nd November 2026. Since interviews may run during the application period, you could hear back before the deadline if you’re a strong fit for the Santa role.