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Amidst the joy, celebration and festivities of Christmas and the New Year period lies the hidden horror of the holiday season, as the rates of domestic violence, alcohol abuse and road fatalities increase.

New Zealand is set for a humid summer, with experts predicting a warm and wet January and February.

Staff at the Auckland City Mission have been rushed off their feet and will be cooking Christmas dinner for more than 2000 people tomorrow.

Holidaymakers joining the Christmas exodus from Auckland are being encouraged to check road and traffic conditions before leaving home, to improve chances of safe and relatively hassle-free trips.

A selection of Christmas church services in the main centres.

What do some of our friends in fashion, design and food have planned for their Christmas break?

Forecasters are predicting we'll be using our brollies for sunshades by Christmas Day.

New Zealand consumer confidence has sunk to an 18-month low suggesting retailers have little reason to expect Christmas cheer to be reflected in sales.

Up to 95 homes in Auckland's Franklin Rd now have their Xmas lights on at night, says the founder of the annual spectacle.

It's Christmas party time and Veronica Merkel enjoys the occasional long-lunch on Auckland's Princes Wharf.

Kiwis spend up large at Christmas on partners and children, but not on their parents, siblings and friends.