Meanwhile the South Island's set to lap up the sunshine from Canterbury, south.
The close-up look at the red planet was captured by the European Space Agency.
From Grace Millane to the tragic passing of 1 NEWS journalist Greg Boyed, there were a few stories that cut right to the heart in 2018.
Police say the driver fled the scene before being arrested a short time later.
Check out 1 NEWS NOW's best Kiwi sporting moments from 2018.
An "air traffic fault" is causing headaches for travellers with Christmas Day imminent.
It all happened in the early hours of this morning.
The Mauao base track is "not possible to walk" after heavy rain lashed the region.
The top of the country is expected to be the worst affected area, MetService warns.
She had owned Tiger for 13 years.
Caesar suffered two skull fractures after responding to a burglary call on December 22.
Two face charges, a third has been referred to Youth Aid.
New research shows an increase of heart issues over the silly season.
With the Green Party in power for the first time, the topic was high on the agenda, but not all efforts have been successful, critics say.
Joanne Chatfield is believed to have died after a function at the University of Auckland on November 19, 1988.
Emergency services were called to a house earlier this afternoon.
The silly season has seen a one per cent increase from the same time last year.
The reserve is celebrating it's 20 year anniversary in 2018.
The Boxing Day Test with Sri Lanka will see the winner take the two-match series.
The opener is yet to register a Test hundred for the Black Caps.
Coach Gary Stead says his side are excited for the Boxing Day Test.
Attempts to resuscitate proved to be unsuccessful in the incident near Seatoun.
Two men held up a Cash in Transit van on Link Drive this afternoon.
The annual Christmas Eve tradition saw the inhabitants excitedly open up their festive treats.
