It could be something in the water or maybe it's the clean country air - but for whatever reason, Opunake has produced more than its fair share of high-achieving New Zealanders.

Leftover Christmas food has the sprats biting all day for Auckland visitors.

Phoebe Falconer suggests a series of great summer holiday destinations within an hour's drive of downtown Auckland.

Traffic slowed to a snail's pace on many roads yesterday, but the worst of the expected post-holiday traffic jams failed to eventuate.

Lava caves, lava fields, pillars and tunnels are all part of Rangitoto's landscape.

Police have a word of advice for the thousands preparing for New Year's Eve celebrations.

A bright, sunny and hot day is set to welcome in the new year in most parts of the country.

Holiday hotspots are filling fast, as New Zealanders prepare to celebrate the New Year.

Thousands of motorists spent hours stewing in traffic jams between Auckland's Northern Gateway toll road and Warkworth yesterday.

A global travel magazine highlights Kaikoura as a place to have a whale of a time over Christmas.

Acting Prime Minister Bill English says the changes make calculating holiday pay rates more transparent.

Christmas will be warm and mostly dry in the north, wet in parts of the south and windy between.

A surge of Eftpos and credit card transactions shows New Zealanders are picking up the purchasing pace in the lead-up to Christmas.

Mike McRoberts and Petra Bagust headlined an all-star cast at last night's annual Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park extravaganza in Auckland.

Herald Travel editor Jim Eagles on why a local vacation may turn out to be the most relaxing break you've ever had.

It's officially summer. And, after a winter of discontent - and recessionary blues - it's time to warm up. Here are 25 ideas for making the most of Auckland this summer.