Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon talks the benefits of the Auckland to Houston flight and what it will do for our economy.

The technology was invented by Tatarenko Vladimir Nikolaevich, who has been working on the project for the past three years. The video demonstrates how it would work during in-flight emergency situations.

Auckland Airport is the scene of thousands of welcomes as Kiwis return to spend time with their families at Christmas. We present some of these magic moments.

Driving through the streets of Buenos Aires. Video by Michael Craig

Deaf American blogger Calvin Young is hoping his daredevil experiences in NZ will help inspire other hearing-impaired people to fulfil their dreams. The 26-year-old has been in New Zealand for a week as part of a world-wide trip, going from adventure to adventure and blogging about it. Last week, he headed to Waitomo to tick off his “bucket list” activities: black water rafting and glow worms.

Tristram Clayton finds much to sing about cruising on the enormous Anthem of the Seas...

Grant Bradley goes on a late summer training ride with huskies high above the Arctic Circle.

Winston Aldworth flies aboard Strikemaster70, from Ardmore to Ardmore.

For tourists who've tried everything else, there's nothing more invigorating than a float down Finland's icy Pajakkajoki river wearing a dry suit.

For further information see wildtaiga.fi.

Fans of the iconic Barbie doll can now wake up in Barbie's world. The Hilton Buenos Aires in Argentina has created the first Barbie-themed hotel room in the world.

A fresh dump of snow arrived on Mt Ruapehu just in time for the school holidays and the last month of the 2014 ski season.

We asked Herald readers where to send Warriors fullback Sam Tomkins to introduce him to life in New Zealand. Tomkins looked through the entries and picked the one suggested by Dave Floyd - a bungy jump in Queenstown. Here's the footage of his leap out over the Nevis River - the highest bungee in Australasia.

The arrival of Air New Zealand's first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner does not herald the start of lower airfares — but travellers will get access to new international destinations.

The first of 10 of the model touched down in Auckland yesterday and the rest are expected to be in service by 2017.

The birth rate in Denmark is at a 27-year low. This advert from Danish Travel agency Spies wants the Danish People to solve their population crisis... in the old fashioned way. And it's also a competition for the locals to win. Courtesy Spies Rejser

Great white shark tourism operators will be need to have a permit in the same way as for whale, dolphin and seal watching, the Government has announced. The requirement comes after meetings with tourism operators and concerned divers at Stewart Island, Conservation Minister Nick Smith said.

People will be able to bike or walk from Devonport to St Heliers via the proposed SkyPath, crossing the water under a new tube-like structure suspended beneath the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Andrew Louis captured this striking - and highly venomous - fellow while snorkelling off the west coast of Niue.

Winston Aldworth gets behind the wheel of two high-performance cars with FreemanX Supercars in Queenstown.

In September 2013 Eddie Hobson spent 45 incredible days capturing New Zealand in timelapse photography and slow motion. Travelling both North and South islands, he covered over 8500kms. 'The beauty of New Zealand is breathtaking. The diversity, splendour and close proximity of the locations is astounding'. Courtesy Eddie Peter Hobson: https://vimeo.com/78982418 Check out tataride.com - facebook.com/timelapsetheworld

Auckland has been rated as one of the world's Top 10 Cities to visit next year by Lonely Planet, and some prominent Kiwis tell us why that accolade is richly deserved. Video / Lonely Planet

Judy Bailey relaxes on beautiful Hinchinbrook Island and sees a pair of cuddling koalas in the wild on Magnetic Island.

Colin Mathura-Jeffree finds style everywhere in Victoria's classy capital.

Colin Mathura-Jeffree takes a whirlwind tour of Robina's fabulous designer shops.

Qantas is rolling out a near life-size replica of Mars rover Curiosity around New Zealand to promote its frequent flyer programme. The sedan-size machine is about 80 per cent as big as the real thing that is exploring the red planet. The Qantas version will be seen at airports and other venues around the country during the next month after touring Australia.

Northern Queensland has some incredible snorkelling and wildlife-spotting opportunities, finds Judy Bailey.