But for some, years of delays and disruptions has left them counting the cost.
Business
8:01pm
2:22
People Like Us' episode Secret Santa recently premiered at a movie theatre.
New Zealand
7:30pm
In November, Louis Davis was named the social media platform’s NZ content creator of the year.
7:00pm
3:08
Cardrona Alpine Resort was opened to the public in 1980 and now stands as New Zealand's biggest ski area.
6:20pm
Roaming costs are prompting more Kiwis to consider new ways of staying connected during the peak summer travel period.
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Police have warned drivers as the official Christmas-New Year road toll period starts at 4pm.
6:19pm
3:36
The Prime Minister thanked essential workers keeping the country running over Christmas.
Politics
6:01pm
1:23
Fifty-five-year-old Jason Poa, also known as Jason Tipene, died at the scene on Lake Cres, while another man was taken to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.
Crime and Justice
5:20pm
Drug watchdog High Alert said the sudden spike in harm was "of serious concern".
Health
5:00pm
Boris and two dogs went missing after a break-in back in February. While the dogs were found, the chatty black cat remained on the lam.
4:44pm
A solitary Hector’s or Māui dolphin may have been seen in the Opua Channel in what would be only the second confirmed sighting in Northland in 100 years.
4:30pm
Seven-year-old Teo was seriously injured in September after falling into scalding geothermal water during a search in Rotorua.
3:32pm
A camera was hidden at Rakaia Cemetery after a mother's headstone was repeatedly vandalised.
2:33pm
Emergency services were called to State Highway 25 at around 11.50am on Wednesday.
2:05pm
Emergency services were called to the blaze on Trelawney Cres in Westown around 2.30am.
1:42pm
Among the brands scattered across the asphalt were Lion Red, Speight’s Summit Ultra, Heineken, Steinlager, and Hyoketsu.
1:21pm
The Labour Inspectorate says employers and employees should understand their legal obligations around the public holidays.
1:01pm
Duty Inspector Neil Faulkner said police received reports of a body located on a beach near Thames Coast Rd at around 6.10am this morning.
10:22am
1:28
Forecasters are predicting a mixed bag of weather on Christmas Day, with warm temperatures for some, and rain for others.
9:18am
You'd hardly know it, given how often he appears in the media, but the Foreign Affairs Minister has done some serious air miles this year.
8:56am
"You can't recruit essential health workers into New Zealand and then deport their child. If Aidhan is deported, then the family will leave as well," says Nelson's MP.
8:47am
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including more Trump references in new Epstein files drop, men rescued from river, and Santa’s on his way.
8:28am
Here's your guide to what will - and won't - be operating this Christmas.
8:17am
The fire has been contained but three crews remain on site working to fully extinguish and dampen the blaze, according to FENZ.
7:09am
The Transport Minister reiterated the matter was "very concerning", and said it was important that it was resolved.
6:30am
2025's most read: John Campbell's Under His Command, a five-part investigation into Destiny Church and the women who live in its shadows.
6:00am
