Performing school productions and shows in front of their home town has always been something youngsters in Queenstown have loved to do.

Police are urging people to be responsible at work parties after a Hamilton woman bit off another woman's fingernail at a Christmas drinks function.

Okay, woohoo! We're into the last shopping week before Christmas, but I'm not panicking, I've been pretty well organised this year. Online shopping is a marvellous thing.

Kiwis have been waiting more than a month for overseas parcels containing Christmas presents, as mail authorities here question who is to blame.

Sheila Hussona's family set up foil balloons to welcome family flying in from Qatar at the weekend.

This will be my last column before the end of the world. With that in mind, I've decided to divide this one up into three sections.

Kiwis are flocking to the shops to stock up for Christmas, with eftpos spending up on last year. Westfield spokeswoman Deb McGhie said it appeared shopping centres were busier this year than last - though they wouldn't know for sure until next year

Serves 12. 1 ripe pomegranate. 2 fresh papaya (paw paw), nice and ripe. 9 kiwifruit peeled and thickly sliced. 1 pineapple, cut into 1cm chunks. Trifle sponge, bought or made.

Christmas shoppers are being tempted with offers of "interest-free" cash loans before an interest rate in excess of 500 per cent kicks in.

I’m a big fan of Christmas pudding with custard and cream followed by a dish of trifle after Christmas dinner. However, the stomach has its limits! I can almost feel mine groaning at the thought of it.

Toast slices of day old bread, one side only. The bread needs to be reasonably rustic, eg, a country style loaf. Slice strawberries and pile these on to the untoasted side of the bread. Sift a good amount of icing sugar over the fruit.

Man's best friend has long been a solid companion for many people around the world. But one Kiwi charity is working hard to raise special pups that will act not only as a companion but, in some cases, a lifesaver for dozens of Kiwis with disabilities.

It can be stressful sending your child to school and not knowing if they will be able to avoid the food they are allergic to or if staff know what to do in an emergency.

Most of the gags work and Dotcom is great, but MegaChristmas could have done with some editing, writes Paul Simei-Barton.

It's that time of year again. So much to do. Here's how to keep your cool during the silly season.

The interplay between fragrance and memory prompts powerful emotions. Every season leaves a scent trail, but perhaps none more so than at Christmas.

Isaac Sinclair, Ecoya's New Zealand-raised, French-trained, Brazilian-resident perfumer, answers Viva's questions about home fragrance.