There were hugs, smiles, a few tears and plenty of family reunions as people landed at Dunedin airport for Christmas yesterday.
About 100 people were waiting at arrivals for a flight from Brisbane yesterday afternoon, some sporting Santa hats and the children getting increasingly fidgety the longer they waited.
Gayle Elliott, who was waiting for her brother and his family to arrive from Brisbane, said they had been holding off the festivities until they arrived.
She enjoyed waiting and seeing the reactions of other people as they saw their loved ones walk through the arrival doors.
‘‘It's lovely watching everybody greeting their family and friends. There is a nice Christmas spirit.''
Nadine Hancock, of Invercargill, along with her husband and parents, was waiting for her sister and brother in-law to arrive from Brisbane.
Yesterday was the first time the family had been together for Christmas in about a decade, Mrs Hancock said.
It was pretty special having every one together after so long, she said.
