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Christmas

Each country has its own unique way of celebrating Christmas. These resources cover traditions, carols, stories, crafts, food, symbols (Star of Bethlehem, mistletoe, Nativity scene, poinsettia) including how Kiwis celebrates Kirihimete.

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The Nativity

In February of 1967, Valda Groeninger of Shortland Street, Auckland, wrote to the then director of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Charlton Edgar: ‘I was wondering if you would be interested in a l...

Christmas postcards

Christmas postcards

Christmas postcards with a Kiwi twist.

Christmas in New Zealand

Christmas in New Zealand

Christmas in New Zealand

Letter to Santa

Letter to Santa

This item was transferred to our Dunedin office by New Zealand Post, Oamaru. Archives reference: CASQ D24/15a P.OU 17/4 1 For further enquiries about this record, email dunedin.archives@dia.go...

Event - Mid-Winter Christmas

Historic Village, Tauranga, July 16th, 2011. Snoopy's Christmas played, snow fell and coloured lights decorated buildings on the cobbled streets.The Western Bay was treated to a taste of a Europe...

Christmas in the park, Māori style

An Auckland marae that took in homeless people has opened its doors once again to the community for its first Christmas at the Paa event.

Four Poems; Christmas Wish; Toa Rangatira; My Father; Mahanga; Pouto - (Te Ao Hou - No. 76 June 1975)

Four Poems; Christmas Wish; Toa Rangatira; My Father; Mahanga; Pouto - (Te Ao Hou - No. 76 June 1975)

This old man carries the kind of bag my grandfather used to carry. And he wears the same kind of braces too. He purchases a pound of cake rich with Christmas fruits and watches as the salesgirl wei...

Father Christmas, freak of nature

He's a faster than light, all-seeing, house-breaking present dispenser. Santa's firing up his warp drive sleigh and coming to a chimney near you, reveal Toby Manhire and Toby Morris.

The origins of Christmas Carols

The origins of Christmas Carols

It might surprise you to learn just how ancient the tradition of Christmas carols actually is. But what did they sound like those early carols? Who wrote the first one? We look back on the history ...

Marama Fox sings a Christmas song for Checkpoint: RNZ Checkpoint

Marama Fox sings a Christmas song for Checkpoint: RNZ Checkpoint

Marama Fox performed a Christmas song in Parliament yesterday, which amused her colleagues, delighted New Zealanders and made international headlines. Today, she visited RNZ to perform another song...

Letters to Santa, 1918

Letters to Santa, 1918

This letter to Santa Claus was written in 1918 by Bella (Catherine Isabella) Gibson when she was 12 years of age. Bella was the daughter of David and Kate Gibson. The Gibsons lived at Glenavy in Wa...

Twas the Night Before Christmas." (Bruce Herald, 18 August 1899)

Nisbet, Alastair, 1958- :ChCh Christmas tree displays?... 6 December 2012

Nisbet, Alastair, 1958- :ChCh Christmas tree displays?... 6 December 2012

Shows an enormous orange traffic cone decorated with fairy lights, and a crowd of people gathered around, with the words, 'ChCh Christmas tree displays?...' Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Canterbury...

Akl's Santa falls to Christmas grinch

Auckland's giant Queen Street Santa has been axed after adorning major city buildings for 54 years. Heart of the City says it can't afford the $180,000 cost.

The most dangerous Christmas presents

The most dangerous Christmas presents

It's the thought that counts with Christmas presents, but some of the gifts that may be under your tree this year, should come with health warnings.

Christmas stamp, 1982

Christmas stamp, 1982

The 1982, 35-cent Christmas stamp featured Rangiātea Māori church at Ōtaki. Christmas stamps were first issued in 1960, and until 1970 there was only one Christmas stamp each year. Since then Chris...

Christmas a time of stress struggle and loneliness for many

Christmas a time of stress struggle and loneliness for many

It's billed as the most wonderful time of the year but Christmas is also one of the most stressful times for families, those along or struggling with problems.

Christmas in wartime

Christmas in wartime

These images recall Christmas at home and overseas during the First World War (1914–1918). Christmas during wartime gave soldiers a rare opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves away from the s...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Digital cartoons by Jim Hubbard on political and social issues in New Zealand and internationally. Title supplied by Library Quantity: 1 digital cartoon(s).

Christmas in Bethlehem

Christmas in Bethlehem

Tamara Qumseya, a Palestinian from Bethlehem studying for her PHD in cross cultural psychology at Victoria University, talks to Wallace about Christmas in the birthplace of Jesus.

Hawkey, Allan Charles, 1941-:Quake, South Asia, Boxing Day, 2004. Waikato Times 27 December, 2004.

Hawkey, Allan Charles, 1941-:Quake, South Asia, Boxing Day, 2004. Waikato Times 27 December, 2004.

Depicts ripples of water. Refers to the devestating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that took place in South East Asia on Boxing Day 2004. Quantity: 1 digital image(s).

Christmas in the Sun

Christmas in the Sun

The history of Christmas songs recorded in New Zealand for commercial release only starts in 1949 after the establishment of Tanza Records. At the time, rampant commercialism had yet to overtake th...

The Christmas Crib (Evening Post, 17 December 1929)

Christmas Plum Pudding - The 'Sure to Rise' Cookery Book

Mix ingredients well together, and add 6 eggs well beaten, and three-quarters of a pint of milk; divide into two, and boil 8 hours, or four, and boil 6 hours.

Planning for Christmas.

"Julie Woods (aka That Blind Woman) visited the show for an interview. She’s a keen cook, and in this episode Julie talks Christmas cooking with Chantelle. Julie tells a bit of her story, how getti...

Christmas ettiquette

Christmas ettiquette

What's ok or not ok at Christmas? Re-gifting? Cash as a gift?

Christmas tree 2010

Christmas tree 2010

Pohutukawa

Tree in full flower on shoreline of lake.

Santa - New Brighton Santa Parade

Santa - New Brighton Santa Parade

New Brighton Santa Parade. Saturday 10 December 2016. File Reference: 2016-12-10-DSC01956 Photo by Moata. From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries

'Māori Santa Claus' pays early visit

Wellington rapper Pera Barrett has once again rallied the community to deliver hundreds of gifts to children in Porirua.

The 25 greatest Christmas carols

The best festive songs voted by 50 top choral experts.

New Zealand Christmas songs

Te Haranui and other New Zealand Christmas songs with lyrics and music.

Christmas: Its origin and associations

William Dawson’s book on the origin of, and historical events surrounding Christmas.

This site has answers to all your Christmas questions.

A Christmas carol

Three ghostly visitors teach a miser the true meaning of Christmas.

A Christmas pomander

Quick instructions for making an orange and clove pomander.

Christmas recipes for kids

Children get busy in the kitchen at Christmas.

Classic Kiwi Christmas screen moments.

Origin of customs associated with Christmas.

DIY nativity scene

How to make a Christmas crib.

From Saint Nicholas to Santa

The surprising origins of Mr Santa Claus.

The Church of the Nativity and the pilgrimage route to Bethlehem.

Christmas symbols

Christmas symbols — from angels and doves to Christmas trees and mistletoe.

The Gift of the Magi by O Henry

Christmas symbols — from angels and doves to Christmas trees and mistletoe.

Nativity play script

The biblical version of the Nativity story from the point of view of two angels.

The Nazis’ war on Christmas

The Nazi regime tried to transform Christmas traditions into Nazi ones.

Christmas Island history

The discovery and the naming of Christmas Island.

Was Jesus really born on 25 December?

Reasons why the Roman Church adopted 25 December as the birth of Jesus.

The Crocodile’s Christmas

Margaret Mahy tells a story about a crocodile that lost his jandal at the beach.

Christmas lessons plans and teaching resources

Art, language, maths, music, science and social science lesson plans about Christmas.

The World War I Christmas Truce

Peace on Christmas day 1914 during World War I.

Christmas traditions

Top five new Christmas traditions of the 21st century.

Christmas stories

Legends and other stories about Christmas.

Christmas in Mexico

Christmas (Navidad) in Mexico is a vibrant, festive time of year.

Christmas colours

What is the colour scheme associated with Christmas?

Christmas and the solstice

The Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and its influence on Christmas.

Multicultural winter holiday celebrations

Other cultural celebrations taking place around Christmas time.

Winter festivals

Keeping ancient winter celebrations alive in the UK.

The Christmas tree

St Boniface and the origin of the Christmas tree.

Star of Bethlehem

Astronomical explanations about the Star of Bethlehem.

Christmas lights

The best Christmas light street displays in New Zealand.

Christmas lunch

Auckland City Mission is busy prepping Christmas lunch for 2000 people.

Christmas spending

Christmas spending hit 178 transactions a second in December 2017.

Christmas in the Te Papa collections

A variety of collection items associated with Christmas in New Zealand.

Pohutukawa trees

The pohutukawa tree with its crimson flower has become an established part of the New Zealand Christmas tradition.

Search the School Journal for Christmas content.

Christmas cards

Christmas cards kids can make.

Children’s Christmas party

A report on a 1928 Christmas party held for the children of Waihi.

Christmas around the world

Fun facts about Christmas around the world.

Christmas babies

Why are no babies born on Christmas day?

Christmas around the world

This collection of images is a quick tour of the many different Christmas celebrations held around the world.

Christmas in New Zealand

In New Zealand, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer holidays.

Summer Wonderland

Summer Wonderland Lyrics

Air New Zealand presents Summer Wonderland with Ronan Keating and Julian Dennison.

Christmas ideas for the classroom.

Christmas In The Park

Moana medley at the Auckland Christmas in the Park, 2017.

Clark, Russell Stuart 1905-1966 :Samuel Marsden's first service in New Zealand. The Gospel of Jesus Christ first proclaimed on these shores by the Rev. Samuel Marsden at Oihi, Bay of Islands, Christmas Day, 1814 [Christchurch] N.Z. Church Missionary Society [1964]

First Christmas service in New Zealand

This watercolour by Russell Clark is a depiction of what the first Christmas day service in New Zealand (1814) may have looked like. Early Anglican missionary Samuel Marsden (who had just arrived ...

CHRISTMAS PUDDING. (Clutha Leader 24-12-1907)

Christmas pudding

The Christmas pudding is a traditional dessert for the British Christmas dinner. Originally a kind of porridge, it was made of beef, mutton, raisins, currants, spices and wines. The modern Victoria...

Christmas holidays

This article provides an insight into events celebrating the Christmas holiday season in Otago in 1893. Carol singing and shopping were the main activities on Christmas Eve. The local hospital cel...

Wellington Santa Parade, sponsored by James Smiths Ltd.

Wellington Santa Parade

Santa Parades began in the early 1900's There were usually held by department stores initially to promote the arrival of their in-store Santa. The Wellington store ‘the Economic’ was the first to p...

Christmas

Modern demands on Santa

Legend has it that Santa takes his reindeer sleigh around the globe at supersonic speed, sliding down chimneys to deliver gifts to kids around the world on Christmas Eve. But this cartoon tells us...

Arrival of St Nikolaas, Overseas Terminal and march through Wellington

Arrival of St Nicholas

On 5 December Sinterklass or St Nicholas visits the Netherlands bringing presents for children. He travels with his servants ‘Zwarte Pieten’ (Black Pete). Dressed in red robes, St Nicholas arrives ...

Summer Christmas

Christmas in New Zealand

This cartoon shows how different Christmas can be in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere under different seasons. Christmas falls in winter in the Northern Hemisphere where snow often blankets the...

CHRISTMAS DONT'S. (Clutha Leader 6-1-1911)

Christmas don’ts

Gathering around the Christmas tree and opening presents is a tradition most looked forward to the family on Christmas day. However, gift buying and giving can also be one of the many stresses of ...

Letter to Father Christmas

Letter to Father Christmas

Festivals and Celebrations

Festivals and Celebrations

Matariki, Christmas, Easter and more recently Chinese New Year and Diwali are some of the festivals New Zealanders celebrate. Find out about our religious holidays, festivals, traditions and storie...