Shoppers took to the Boxing Day sales with gritted teeth yesterday, battling full carparks, queues and crowds to snap up bargains.

City Mission leaders were not aware of tour groups at their Christmas lunch and have called for any "irresponsible" operator who may have sent one to offer a donation.

The grieving family of a toddler killed in a driveway runover on Christmas Eve are preparing for his burial tomorrow.

While most New Zealanders spent Christmas afternoon napping off their lunch or playing with their new toys, others listed their unwanted gifts on Trade Me.

The Queen looked past scandal that has at times this year shaken the royal family to send out a global thanks to those who helped celebrate her Diamond Jubilee.

Hundreds of thousands of bargain hunters are expected to make the most of the Boxing Day sales.

A man watched in horror as his brother drowned in stormy surf at Whiritoa beach on the Coromandel Peninsula on Christmas Eve.

A gifted academic who grew up in Karori has died suddenly in London, devastating her family.

A Christmas story from an associate, who was in a Salvation Army op shop when a family - mum, dad, and three children - stopped by to drop off a new bike.

New Zealanders spent 2.6 per cent more in the week leading up to Christmas this year than they did a year ago, due mainly to a resurgent Canterbury region.

The thick fog that cancelled more than 100 flights at Wellington airport yesterday has lifted, with blue skies now above the capital.

Theists, and perhaps some atheists too, might thank God for Dr Zain Ali's gracious and insightful comments about God and religion.

And so this is Christmas, and what have you done, New Zealand business?

Relatives can easily get on each other's nerves. Suzanne Masefield offers ways to head off any aggro.

People around the world are preparing to celebrate Christmas. Check out some of our favourite shots of the festivities.