Offenders who get locked up for Christmas can forget about a special meal from the cops on the big day.

Santa could find himself fighting gale force winds in some areas tonight before rain heralds in Christmas Day for much of the country.

Eftpos transactions reached record highs today as Kiwi shoppers, filled with "Christmas spirit'', packed out stores around the country.

Doctor Scott Waghorn, of DentalCare West in the Auckland suburb of Glen Eden, is offering about $25,000 worth of free dental work today - for the third year running.

Pilots over Australia will be doing their bit to keep clear of Santa this evening.

Danielle Wright meets Auckland families and hears about their Christmas traditions ‘back home’.

It's time everyone paid more attention to the words of Christmas songs. There's a wealth of hidden meaning in the festive season's soundtrack.

Volunteers, good preparation and a cool head vital in getting Christmas Day meal to 2500 City Mission diners.

Sir Murray Halberg had a vision in 1963 of a New Zealand where all children could participate in sport - even if they were physically disabled.

Paymark figures show shoppers spending up large as malls brace for last-minute Christmas splurge.

$10,000 donation will be used to buy new bicycles and safety gear for Mangere resettlement centre project.

December has so far seen spending growth unseen for several years, Paymark says.

Safety shouldn't be thrown in the bin with all the used wrapping paper, warns ACC, after 3500 people were injured during last year's Christmas Day.

A traditional festive feast connects a family to their heritage, writes Sonja Srzich.

Most of the country is in for unsettled, cooler weather on Christmas Day as a wet front makes its way up the country.

The key to taking the stress out of last-minute Christmas shopping is planning well and taking your time, an expert says.

Airport charity will help 20 Mangere College students to do an outdoor pursuits course.

Santa Claus's journey to New Zealand from his home in the North Pole can be tracked on Christmas Eve via a free mobile device application.

Luxury cars with eye-watering price tags are on Christmas shopping lists for NZ's uber-rich.

The Herald on Sunday chats with three Kiwis about their very different Christmases.

A former chef has cooked up a big-hearted scheme to provide free Christmas lunches for the needy.

'Tis the season of comfort and joy. But if your weekend is looking crazy, uncomfortable and joyless, here are our tips for de-stressing.