Despite a very busy pre-Xmas schedule (he must be going to the gym a lot to get ready for his big nocturnal circumnavigation), Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer loves Auckland enough to come for a show or two.

Renee Liang, with the help of some young friends, asks Rudolph all the things you wanted to know (but didn't know how to ask).

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Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer pops in to the Bruce Mason Centre this Xmas. The show will be fully interactive, aimed at the littlies, and people are encouraged to come 45 minutes before the show to create their own Christmas decorations and add them on the Christmas trees inside the Bruce Mason Centre.  If they wish, they can also bring a present to add for the Auckland City Mission. Renee Liang and friends asked Rudolph all the big questions.

Why is your nose red? Nina (3-year-old), Grae and Richard

Ah! A very good question - but to find that out you will have to come and see my show! I love surprises (especially Christmas ones) so I will keep it a secret until showtime!

Does Father Christmas tell jokes? Millie (5-year-old)

All the time - he loves to laugh and he likes it even better when we tell him jokes. I am always trying to think of new ones so I can hear him go "Ho ho ho" and laugh so much his belly wobbles like a bowlful of jelly!

How do you fly? Nina (3-year-old)

Its Christmas magic - the same magic Santa uses to help him down all those little chimneys.

Do you get tired on the journey? Millie (5-year-old)

A little bit but so many wonderful boys and girls leave yummy carrots out for us under their Christmas trees - we are very lucky reindeer when people remember we love a little treat too. Carrots always make me fly faster thats for sure :-)

Is your rubbish truck sleigh good to go for the dump? Are you planning an upgrade? Fox (3-year-old)

We have lots of different sleighs. The rubbish sleigh has a special beeper that sounds when Santa reverses it. It is the biggest of all the sleighs and the heaviest to pull. My favourite is the present sleigh that I help pull around the world on Christmas Eve. Every year it gets a bit of a make over - the elves are good at keeping up with the latest mod cons. Mrs Claus has her own sleigh - its green with gold tinsel (Mrs Claus loves tinsel)

Why do you like coming to Auckland?

Because its summertime in Auckland and lovely toasty warm (compared to the North Pole). So much of the world is cold and snowy at Christmas time. Coming to Auckland is like having a summer holiday - yippee!

Tell me about your friends.

I always have a great time with all my reindeer friends. One of my best buddies is Comet, he runs so fast! We race around the North Pole and sometimes Dasher joins in too. I also like playing with the all the elves from Santa's workshop - they invent all sorts of fun games and have candy cane prizes for the winner. Yummy

How do you find the time to put on a big show when you're so busy? Who is helping you?

I have special permission from Santa to come all the way to Auckland - as long as I am back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve. Santa may even pop in to see the show too - he loves coming to the theatre. Lots of the gang from the North Pole are coming along. I hope Mrs Claus makes it as she makes the best Christmas puddings and knows lots of great festive songs.

Luckily I have lots of friends in Auckland who are going to help out. I even have some new friends - children who have been practising for ages so they can sing with me in the show. They love Christmas songs as much as me and we all agree the songs are even better when everyone sings a long

What do you like to do in the Christmas holidays (after you finish your big job of course)?

Put my hooves up in front of the fire, sing jingle bells with my reindeer buddies and polish my nose so it glows extra bright for Christmas day celebrations.

What's the most important thing kids can do to help you at Xmas?

Don't worry about helping me out - I have all my reindeer buddies helping me pull the sleigh - we are a great team!

Help your family out instead, that would make me feel awesome! I like it best when children share their Christmas goodies, remember to say thank you for all the treats they get and try to help Mummy and Daddy have a good Christmas too!  

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Presented by Auckland Live and Phineas Phrog Productions

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Friday 19 - Sunday 21 December, 11.00am & 1.00pm

Live at Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna