Christmas

Police want cheer, not fear

Southern police will attend hundreds of family violence incidents in the next few weeks as festive season stress takes its toll.

Chicken, turkey, lamb or Spam - no matter what families choose to eat for Christmas dinner this year they are about to pay less than last year, but welfare organisations say families are still feeling the pinch.

Tidings of contests

Wanaka's Jen Anderson (left) and John Morgan are helping the town get into the Christmas spirit....

Tidings of contests

Wanaka residents are in a festive mood this week as they begin decorating their homes, gardens and Christmas trees for the annual Light Up Wanaka and Where's Santa competitions.

Prison Christmas to be 'without the trimmings'

A fruit mince pie, their main meal at lunchtime and some extra time for recreational activities are the only changes to prison routine for Christmas Day. Otago Corrections Facility will mark the holiday but without the trimmings, manager Jack Harrison says.

Spend sensibly, shoppers told

Christmas sale signs in Dunedin shop windows yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.

Spend sensibly, shoppers told

Retailers hoping to entice consumers to part with their cash have rolled out some hefty discounts ahead of Christmas.

Magic of Christmas pours into city

People take over Dunedin's George St following the Santa Parade yesterday, which featured (top,...

Magic of Christmas pours into city

When a dragon belching smoke, a pirate ship, martians and a giant robot took over Dunedin's main street yesterday, mass hysteria did not break out, rather a gathered crowd smiled and cheered.