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.

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.

A truck used to destroy sensitive documents catches fire outside the Treasury building in Wellington this morning.

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

A tuk-tuk has rolled leaving passengers bloodied and with serious injuries in Wellington.

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

A man has died from a heart attack while in Christmas traffic near Wellington.

An overhead traffic light pole that crashed into the middle of a busy intersection may have been suffering from earthquake stress.

Preparations are under way to tear down carpark building damaged in Wellington quake.

Photographer says people opposed to gender diversity need to 'get over it'.

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.

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

The Wellington City Council is writing to the owners of 80 buildings affected by last month's monster quake, telling them they need targeted engineering assessments.

Police investigating the murder of Upper Hutt woman Lois Tolley say they have spoken to a number of people and made arrests on "unrelated matters".

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

From Hawai'i to Dipton - the new Prime Minister is quickly proving to be from a different mould than the man he succeeded.

Woman whose odd auction on TradeMe reaped $6500, will fly to Miami to have the artwork done - and we reveal what the tattoo will say.

How does it feel to share your birthday with Jesus Christ? Herald reporter Tess Nichol finds out in our Holiday Babies series.

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 20-year visa-free travel arrangement between the two countries has now ended.