What will start out as a cloudy morning for most of the country should clear as the Christmas day wears on, but the odd shower is in store too.

The best spots for enjoying a Christmas hamper outdoors will be in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Central Otago tomorrow.

Steve Braunias looks back on a year of thinking dangerously.

Quake-affected businesses in Wellington and Hurunui have been given a boost with the announcement that support subsidies will be extended.

Being in charge of the population of a small town is "a dream come true".

A crash that closed the Terrace Tunnel in Wellington has been cleared and the tunnel has re-opened, NZTA Wellington said.

Wet weather today will clear throughout the country making way for a mainly fine Christmas weekend.

Father and daughter bears Sean and Sasa tucked into their usual meal at Wellington Zoo today, but with a Christmas twist. The sun

Traffic has already slowed to a crawl in parts of the country as holidaymakers head out of town for Christmas.

What will the weather be doing on Sunday for Christmas?

The Porirua community is rallying around their local Santa after his sack was stolen just weeks before Christmas.

There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

Nobody has been hurt in a gas explosion in a Wellington suburb.

A bad weather forecast has scuppered the historic Dunedin visit of mega-cruise ship the Ovation of the Seas on Thursday.

Geonet say there is a 98 per cent chance of an aftershock of 6 to 6.9 magnitude in the next year.

If variety is the spice of life, this week is set to be a lively one.

Lois Tolley's aunt always looked forward to her niece stopping by to give her a hug and natter about the world's problems. Those visits are memories now.

Dozens of people went topless to beaches in Auckland and Wellington yesterday.

A Wellington kitten had a close shave this morning after becoming trapped in rush-hour traffic.

A Wellington MyLotto player won $5million in Wednesday's Lotto Powerball after his friend joked about sending "good vibes out to the Lotto gods".

A stunning summer's day in Wellington has attracted some aquatic visitors to the coastline, with locals spotting orcas and dolphins.

Brittany Godderidge retrieved clothing and documents from her quake-evacuated Wellington apartment - as well as her 2-year-old goldfish, Sir Swimsalot.

It's going to be a sunny one this weekend for most of the country.

More office workers have been sent home in central Wellington as more earthquake damage comes to light.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested over a string of aggravated robberies in Porirua that took place more than a year ago.

A man who pulled a gun on a police officer remains on the run.

Kiwi couple donate seven works including pieces by Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Joan Miro at inaugural event.

The big win comes only days after a young Auckland woman won $10 million in Saturday's draw.

Demolition contractors have been able to get a small amount of material out of the quake-damaged building at 61 Molesworth St.

A last minute flurry of bidding saw Wellington woman's auction go for $6500.