The festive season is a time of excess. But as the country’s top traffic officer Paula Rose tells Alan Perrott, there is little cheer in counting its cost.

Left your Christmas shopping to the very last moment? Want to do the whole lot speedily, all in one shop and with the minimum of fuss? Books are the answer to all your gift needs. Here's our pick of what's on the shelves.

Hundreds of stranded New Zealanders might be able to make it home for the holidays after all with the news that London's Heathrow Airport is due to reopen on a limited basis this evening, New Zealand time.

You've gone to heaps of trouble for that special meal. Now for the final touches.

The executive chef of dine by Peter Gordon at Sky City answers your cuisine questions.

Quench your thirst for wine knowledge from expert writers passionate about their topic.

Here are a few tips to ensure you don't fritter away your fitness during the silly season. By Susan Edmunds.

Ann Newbery selects the best of next week's festive TV viewing - so you don't have to.

Get off the couch. You know you'll feel better, especially when you can come home to leftovers and a lie down.

A dedicated bunch are bringing Christmas to their neighbourhoods, reports Catherine Smith.

Forget waiting for Boxing Day sales - some retailers are already advertising sales with discounts of up to 70 per cent.

We enjoyed this video so much previous years that we decided to share it with you again. The Christmas Story - as told by the children of St Paul's Church. Courtesy of St Paul's Church in Auckland.

It's not called the silly season for nothing, get decked out like a Christmas tree, writes Janetta Mackay.

Delicious gift ideas for this festive season.