Chocolate makers large and small across the country are preparing for their busiest time of year - the Easter rush.

Chocoholics rejoice — Easter is just two weeks away. Kiwis are set to devour more than 5 million chocolate sensations between now and then.

Supermarkets are stocking up on hot cross buns, but are also offering the non-crossed variety for Kiwis who love a spicy bun but are less keen on Christian tradition.

All Black Keven Mealamu's famous cauliflower ears feature on the giant egg he's painted for the ultimate Easter egg hunt, which starts today.

Easter will be upon us soon, and that is why you can barely move in your local supermarket for chocolate egg offerings.

Super-sized eggs of all colours are to be placed around the country - making for the ultimate Easter egg hunt.

"It's no longer Dairy Milk. It's similar, but not exactly Dairy Milk."

Anzac Day shopping laws should be a "blueprint'' for all holidays in which shops are required to close, the Retailers Association says.

Wanaka traders threw open their doors this Easter after being secretly told there would be no Labour inspectors around to catch them, it's been reported.

The Easter holiday period has ended with the worst road toll in three years, with four deaths on the country's roads.

Organisers of a public Easter egg drop have apologised after children were injured during the event by other parents.

Police hope to keep this year's Easter road toll at three as they crack down on speeding, distracted and alcohol-fuelled drivers as holiday makers head home.

Wild weather couldn't dampen the spirit of Kiwi kindness over Easter weekend.

200 years after NZ's first service, some churches are riding a resurgence in which theology and pastoral care merge with pragmatic acceptance of sex, booze and rock’n’roll.

Christians throughout the world are paying tribute to Jesus Christ in Holy Week traditions that go back centuries and range from religious processions to self-flagellation.

Roman Catholic devotees in northern Philippines nailed themselves to crosses as hundreds gathered to watch the annual crucifixion re-enactment.

Blue skies and sunshine greeted the thousands of happy visitors who streamed into the Coca-Cola Easter Show yesterday.

After a destructive storm dampening the opening on Thursday, blue skies and sunshine greeted the thousands of happy visitors who streamed into the Coca-Cola Easter Show.

Shattered, gutted and shocked beyond words, the despondent group of men and women clung to each other for comfort and reassurance.

There's no excuse for the kids to be bored these holidays with heaps to do around the city.

Cassandra Mason looks at the hidden costs of Easter and how to avoid them.

Easter is coming with eggs and other trivia; Christ will be ignored, writes Bruce Logan.