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Why it's rare to give birth on Christmas
Christmas is a rare day to be born in New Zealand. Let alone to be having twins, as was the case for Lee Scanlon in Westport.
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Wet and windy Christmas Day weather for some
5:26 am todayMetService said a front was moving northwards over the South Island into early Christmas morning.
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What to watch on Christmas Day
5:03 am todayBelly full? Christmas cheer all spent? Need the kids to flop? Here's what's on the box on Christmas Day.
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What makes Chris Knox's Seizure an essential album
5:03 am todayNick Bollinger explores the work of one-of-a-kind musician Chris Knox, with a particular focus on his 1989 solo album Seizure.
New Zealand headlines with summaries.
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All alight: Final train departs from Lower Hutt station
5:03 am todayMelling train station has seen its last service for about three years, ahead of major infrastructure works.
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Three youths arrested after Christmas Eve robbery
The trio are due to appear in Youth Court in the coming days.
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Facial recognition trial reveals minors among worst offenders
24 Dec 2025Report shows six out of 10 of the top offenders threatening Foodstuffs South Island staff were under 18.
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Xmas miracle: Far North town gets running water for first time in months
24 Dec 2025Residents of Kāeo have lived under a boil-water notice for more than 10 years, but in October the water stopped completely.
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'Human waste on every surface': Tenant ordered to pay $73k
24 Dec 2025The tenant claimed the damage to the house had been made "when he was out".
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Warning after multiple people hospitalised after using synthetic cannabis
24 Dec 2025High Alert is warning people to use "extreme caution" if using synthetic drugs.
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Uncovering the mysteries behind eel migration and spawning
24 Dec 2025Dr Amandine Sabadel said tracking technology has helped find the first clues as to how and where eels spawn but there is still more to do. Audio
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ECan 'put on notice' over rule-making for discharges
24 Dec 2025The High Court stopped short of ordering the regional council to change the rule relating to the discharge of nitrates because of the amount of time that has lapsed.
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Boy left swimming for life as rescue helicopter call delayed
24 Dec 2025Police stood down rescue helicopter despite calls about a 14-year-old swimming away from a burning boat in Lake Taupō, RNZ has learned.
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Liam Lawson raises more than $50k for breast cancer research
Lawson's pit-stop from the racing circuit to drive laps in Cromwell drew thousands of motorsport enthusiasts and drive to survive fans to the circuit on Tuesday.
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A Russian Christmas to keep the tradition alive
24 Dec 2025An Auckland-based Russian playgroup is helping families teach their children traditional festivities.
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Where will traffic be on Christmas and Boxing Day?
24 Dec 2025The Transport Agency is warning more cars on the road, tired drivers, and people driving on unfamiliar roads can all add up.
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Festive spirit spurs teens to commit to neighbourhood spruce-up
24 Dec 2025The initiative has also inspired other residents to contribute by tidying up their own properties. Audio
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Man charged with murder over Hamilton death
Jason Poa, 55, died at a home on Hamilton's Lake Crescent last week.
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Residents return home after Hawke's Bay blaze
24 Dec 2025A Fire and Emergency spokesperson told RNZ there's now one fire truck monitoring the scene, and the fire investigators have left.
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Where the 'good BBQ weather' is on Christmas - and where will be rainy
24 Dec 2025Forecasters are predicting a mixed bag of weather on Christmas Day. Video
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One dead after Christmas Eve fire in New Plymouth
24 Dec 2025One person has died after a house fire in New Plymouth early on the morning of Christmas Eve.
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Cardrona ski pioneer John Lee dies at 89
24 Dec 2025The Wānaka farmer and entrepreneur died peacefully on Sunday surrounded by family.
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Accidents reported in Auckland Christmas Eve traffic
24 Dec 2025Several accidents have snarled Auckland traffic on Christmas Eve.
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Waikato's newly elected mayors talk about the rigours of the job
24 Dec 2025RNZ caught up with seven new mayors in the Waikato region to see how they were doing a couple of months after being elected to the position.
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Ruatiti huts reopen amidst murder investigation
Mitchell Cole is a person of interest in an investigation into the deaths of Brendon and Trina Cole.
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Kiwis hatch in Nelson sanctuary during Christmas season
24 Dec 2025"It was an absolutely delightful, joyful moment. I couldn't hope for anything better than that just before Christmas," sanctuary ecologist Robert Schadewinkel says.
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Oyster farmers to receive another $1m over catastrophic sewage spill
24 Dec 2025It's after an initial $1 million was given last month.
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Five people injured in crash on Waikato highway
24 Dec 2025Three people were seriously injured, and another two sustained moderate injuries.
