
How to book cheap airfares for Christmas, NOW
Both Air New Zealand and Jetstar have airfares listed on their websites for travel on the days leading up to and following from Christmas Day and New Year's Day for as low as $49. In previous years, flights between centres such as Auckland and Queenstown or Christchurch have sold for hundreds of dollars each way. A spot check of the Air New Zealand and Jetstar websites on Friday revealed there are low prices from both.
Auckland - Queenstown:
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Air New Zealand:
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Auckland to Queenstown - December 30: $79
Queenstown to Auckland - January 2: $95
Total (minus any booking fees or taxes): $174
Jetstar:
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Auckland to Queenstown - December 30: $79
Queenstown to Auckland - January 2: $119
Total (minus any booking fees or taxes): $198
Auckland - Christchurch:
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Air New Zealand:
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Auckland to Christchurch - December 23: $49
Christchurch to Auckland - December 30: $49
Total (minus any booking fees or taxes): $98
Jetstar:
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Auckland to Christchurch - December 23: $64
Christchurch to Auckland - December 30: $57
Total (minus any booking fees or taxes): $121
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) this week predicted airlines would amass further losses in 2021 as they drop airfares as low as possible in an attempt to win back business. Forecasts predict the airline industry will lose NZ$153 billion in 2021. International passenger numbers are predicted to drop to 2.25 billion this year before rising to 3.38 billion in 2021, which will still be more than 25 percent below 2019's number.
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The airfares listed above are correct at the time of publication.
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Poll: Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?
Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?

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Railway Crossing at Glen Eden
The station is next to a road crossing which means if a train is within a kilometre of the station the gates close.
AT are removing crossings in south Auckland but should consider whether to raise the whole station up 10 metres which is environmental the best option as it minimizes the amount of energy used to stop and start the trains.