Christmas
Auckland Philharmonia: Celebrate Christmas 2023
The Auckland Philharmonia's annual 'Celebrate Christmas' concert is a hugely popular regular feature of the festive concert season. This year they are joined by tenor Frederick Jones, back briefly… Audio
Coming up
2023 Christmas Church Service from the Cook Islands Christian Church, Porirua
We celebrate Christmas with the Cook Islands Christian Church, Porirua. This service is conducted by Assistant Minister Makatea Tairea and features hymns in the Cook Islands language sung… Audio
Festive treats from RNZ Concert
Here are season’s greetings and wonderful festive music for Christmas and the New Year from RNZ Concert.
Kiwi-Indians bridge culture and well-being through fasting
Growing up in an Indian Hindu household, fasting wasn't an unusual occurrence for Murali Krishna Magesan.
Santa and Mrs Claus
With New Horizons going to air on Christmas Eve, what better excuse for a half-hour of songs about dear old Santa and his dear wife. William Dart finds some of them are more serious that you might… Audio
Bumper year for pōhutukawa: What you need to know
Explainer - No, you're not imagining things. The pōhutukawa really are bigger and brighter this year. RNZ asks an expert what's going on.
Rural Taranaki turns on the festive charm
The Grinch is surfing through paddocks and cows are driving tractors on the rural roadside of Taranaki...but who won the festive farm art competition? Audio
US correspondent on Christmas in the USA
It's our last programme for the year so we're crossing to some of our international correspondents to look what's been happening on their patch and what might lie ahead.
Washington DC correspondent… Audio
BBC correspondent on Christmas in the UK
It's our last programme for the year so we're crossing to some of our international correspondents to look what's been happening on their patch and what might lie ahead.
BBC political correspondent… Audio
MetService provides Christmas forecast
The Christmas holidays are nearly upon most of us so there's peak interest in what the weather is up to.
Holiday makers are curious if they've chosen their destination well and others need to know if… Audio
Christmas lights draw street vendors, to the ire of residents
The Franklin Rd light display is one of Auckland's Christmas community delights drawing an estimated 150,000 visitors each year. But residents are upset by vendors moving in on the event which they… Audio
Christmas music with Ian Chapman
Music correspondent Ian Chapman gets in the Christmas spirit, joining Kathryn to play some festive tunes you won't hear in the supermarket!. He has selected songs in various styles and genres. And… Audio
How to have a happy vegan Christmas
Most people will have some form of traditional Christmas dinner in mind; often Christmas meats and Christmas cake or pudding, but what do you make when vegan and gluten-free guests RSVP?
Fast-growing Covid variant could take latest wave into next year
Health experts are urging Kiwis to put a Covid-19 booster shot on their Christmas list for the best chance to avoid the latest variant impacting their summer holidays.
Communities spending thousands to host Santa parades
Community groups are spending thousands of dollars on traffic management for Santa parades and relying on donors and sponsors to cover budget shortfalls.
Retailers urged to plan ahead as Kiwis become better bargain hunters
Retailers are being urged to put plans in place to deal with a weaker sales outlook over the coming year.
Dig your own veges: Bring a fork, bucket and gumboots
Cam Booker is hoping a good crowd will turn up on Christmas eve to dig their own spuds and pick peas at his market garden in Sefton. Audio
17 years of joy creation
Every Christmas Auckland's big department store creates joy and delight for children in Queen St. We meet the people behind the displays. Audio
NZ's creepiest Christmas display
What could potentially be the country's creepiest Christmas display is again on show in Dunedin. The spooky pixies are now homed at the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. Jesse speaks to the curator there… Audio
Getting posted presents from A to B: What you need to know
Explainer - NZ Post's Christmas cut-off dates are flying by. Why does it take a month for a parcel to get from Auckland to London? RNZ asks NZ Post to explain how items get from A to B.