Two Air New Zealand flights have taken off from London's Heathrow Airport this morning.

The festive season is a time of excess. But as the country’s top traffic officer Paula Rose tells Alan Perrott, there is little cheer in counting its cost.

Hundreds of stranded New Zealanders might be able to make it home for the holidays after all with the news that London's Heathrow Airport is due to reopen on a limited basis this evening, New Zealand time.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has given approval for the proposed trans-Tasman alliance between Air New Zealand and Virgin Blue.

Almost a third of Auckland drivers believe traffic congestion harms their health and performance at work or in class.