The Southern Hemisphere's largest Lego Christmas tree takes centre stage in Aotea Square.

Santa is not coming to Dunedin-based lines company Delta this year after chief executive Grady Cameron cancelled end-of-year function.

Local Boards across Auckland have confirmed which libraries will be open during the four days between Christmas and New Year.

Santa Claus is coming to town - in Christchurch - after initial fears the 7.8 magnitude quake may have cancelled this year's Christmas in the Park concert.

Don't let planning a meal ruin your Christmas holiday, buy one in.

Some Flaxmere residents will soon be the proud owners of new bikes gifted by Menzshed Hastings. And the gesture couldn't have come at a better time. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Circle_see_more_DP.epsFoodbank_Appeal_2016_DP_5.epsFoodbank_Appeal_2016_DP_1.epsBy Matthew Martinmatthew.martin@dailypost.co.nz GIVING

The Herald has put together the ultimate silly season planning guide to get you to the big day with the minimum of fuss.

Joseph Parker and Santa are set to go head to head as the heavyweight title fight coincides with Auckland's Christmas in the Park.

COMMENT: Surely there's something to be said for a holiday that is wholly devoted to giving and joy?

British laws and traditions such as Christmas are under threat and must be vigorously upheld to stop ethnic segregation dividing society, according to a review.

A woman who found a handbag in a supermarket trolley took out $2500 and spent it on Christmas presents.

Generous Christmas shoppers have delivered a gift-wrapped present to CanTeen.

Now that the noise and clatter of Christmas and New Year has died down, this year promises the advent of a much-needed quiet revolution, finds Louisa Pritchard.

The modern pre-Christmas frenzy is closely followed by sales where consumers rush to buy more stuff to clutter their lives.

Auckland Airport is the scene of thousands of welcomes as Kiwis return to spend time with their families at Christmas. We present some of these magic moments. Here, Madeleine Fletcher was met by her mum Diana.

A quick-thinking 11-year-old boy and a computer chair saved precious time and quality of life when Vinnie Smith suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve.

An 82-year-old has drowned in the Bay of Islands today - at least the fourth drowning in this holiday period.

Dan Carter is missing his summer Christmas as he settles into a new life in Europe.

A little girl called the people she'd been taught to call in a true emergency after knocking her 'Elf on the Shelf' onto the floor.

Explore how people celebrate Christmas around the world.

Matt Heath shares how to make the most of the Kiwi summer.

While the last-minute shopping rush isn't over yet, Kiwis have already spent in excess of $147 million though the tills.

WATCH: It's the holidays and the happiest place in NZ is the airport arrivals hall. Be uplifted as families and friends reunite in this NZ Herald series.

A Napier woman has set about bringing Christmas cheer to a family who have been burgled five times in as many months.

While deployed overseas, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel do their best to celebrate Christmas without their families and friends back home.

Auckland Airport is the scene of thousands of welcomes as Kiwis return to spend time with their families at Christmas. We present some of these magic moments.

If Nurofen released a tablet specifically aimed at relieving 5pm-post-Christmas-lunch symptoms I'd have been an enthusiastic buyer, writes Shelley Bridgeman.

Again this year, I can say we are seeing the longest queues the City Mission has ever seen and that we will hand out the highest number of food parcels given to families, writes Dianne Robertson.

Last year Alofa Glas, Jason Goodall and their extended whanau organised a free lunch at Pukekohe's Lone Star for 100 guests.