Five Big Things: Wednesday, December 27

One mysterious Christmas Day giver in a Canterbury town, a plea to keep safe around the water, and tips for a very responsible New Year's Eve.

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Swimmers are being urged to follow the advice of lifeguards at the beach after lifeguards performed 13 rescues on Christmas Day alone.

Surf Life Savers are also asking fishermen who love to throw a line off the rocks to make sure they get themselves home safely this summer.

A Canterbury town is abuzz with the spirit of giving since a disappearing good sort began paying for people's meals, groceries and petrol.

"To the person at Pump One at Challenge Lincoln, who paid for Pump Five around 8.40, thank you so much!," one said.

"My card declined and when I went to call my parents someone paid for my fuel. You made me cry, thank you for your generosity."

Four children between nine months and 10 years old and their mother were killed in their apartment east of Paris, in what local authorities called an exceptionally violent crime.

A truck and trailer has collided with a car on Thompsons Track in Waikato, leaving three hospitalised, and a caravan destroyed earlier this morning.

Six people have so far been killed in the holiday road toll this year.

The Australian chef and restaurateur has died aged 54. Tributes are flowing from the food world, including chefs Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson.

Swipe cards, sickness, shift work and scratching behind the ears. It’s the daily life of five cats working and residing at hospitals around New Zealand.

1News' Indira Stewart meets the most overpaid healthcare workers in New Zealand – even if it is in tinned fish.

The holidays can be a challenging time for everyone, but especially people who have quit alcohol, Lotta Dann of Living Sober says.

She shares tips for people going without alcohol at summer gatherings – and their hosts.