Christmas can be a stressful time of year but imagine cooking a traditional feast for more than 200 people.

St John paramedic Mechelle Wharton wasn't going to let a broken leg stop her saving a child.

This festive season will see the 12 days of Christmas take on a new twist for a dozen deserving charities.

Mikey Havoc amassed at least $20,000 in traffic fines over a number of years but asked the Waitakere District Court to convert the fines into community work.

A pastor and his family are giving up their $1m home to help raise funds for their church and a community centre.

Farmers' $1 million donation to the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation has a personal connection for the firm's owners.