It's a big step in a small person's life - going to school. For some it's traumatic, for others just overwhelmingly exciting.

A leading Auckland migrant settlement agency is avoiding the word Christmas and will instead be talking about "happy holidays" and "season's greetings".

Move over Max Key, this Kiwi plumber's incredible trip around Europe is taking over the internet.

After a turbulent and chaotic horse year, Chinese around the world hope the sheep will bring calm and peace.

Every year the Mercury Bay couple open up the front paddock of their sheep and beef farm and share their piece of paradise with 60 to 80 groups in campervans and caravans, plus a few tents.

The holidays might be over, but it doesn't have to be all gloom. Here are five ways to beat the back-to-work blues.

Kiwis might be hanging up their business suits for the holiday, but iPads and laptops are must-pack items for many holidaymakers.

Holidays. They should be a time to recharge, relax and enjoy a change of pace. But the hardest part can be the unwinding, breaking the routine ... and turning the mobile phone off.

Aucklanders wanting to celebrate Guy Fawkes on November 5 must find a public display or stay in their backyards, the council says.

A 10-year-old may have dashed in to the road to return to a lakeside holiday home when she was fatally hit by a motorcycle in the third road fatality this long weekend.

A 10-year-old girl was hit by a motorcycle and killed last night, bringing the holiday weekend road toll to three.

The holiday weekend road toll was at two today as the New Zealand Transport Agency urged motorists to be patient on the roads.

Package deals to Australia, Fiji, Hawaii and North America are being snapped up by New Zealanders making mid-winter escapes and capitalising on a strong NZ dollar.

Thinking of going to the beach instead of the office today? You're not alone. With Waitangi Day falling just two days ahead of the weekend, there's a good chance thousands of workers will be lured by the temptation of a four-day weekend.

Public holiday surcharges seem to be on the decline at Auckland eateries, but an industry insider says establishments are compensating by raising prices year-round.

Drunk, flag-draped youths turning celebration of nationhood into affirmation of white power

A few months ago, we tried to make a booking for a holiday home via Holiday Houses. By accident, my wife clicked February 12 and 13 instead of January 12 and 13.

Holidaymakers needing urgent medication over the holiday period are being stung by pharmacy surcharges.

Retailers are "over the moon" at record Boxing Day sales on Thursday.

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.

We've unearthed a bunch of gadgets to help take the grief out of roadtrips.

Danielle Wright meets the people behind the businesses swapping the silly season for their busy season.

Stocked up with Santa hats, blankets and hot chocolates, we brave the wet weather for a Christmas Lights tour of Auckland.

I swear I only visited for observation's sake. Not to peruse the specials or to buy so much as a bauble, but to examine why human beings would spend America's great holiday scrounging for savings on the department store floor.