As the UK turns dark, cold, and wet, here are our top tips to help you get through the winter months with a smile on your face, a tissue up your nose, and a stomach full of hearty British goodness.

• Valentines Day in London
• Top 10 Foods to get Vitamin D without the summer sun
• Waitangi Day Charity Ball 2014 in London

The geothermal heat being produced by a lake in New Zealand is enough to power millions of light bulbs, according to scientists.

• Measles fears for passengers to NZ
• NZ boy grabs a game to remember
• NZ scientists catch deep sea delights

New Zealand’s adaptive snowboard cross gold medal hopeful Carl Murphy is confident he can shrug off the anguish of an untimely injury and the personal pain of a seriously ill father to strike gold at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

• Winter finals set the pitches alight!
• All Whites unveil young side to face Japan
• Kagawa eyes NZ as chance to prove himself

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is about to take her final operatic curtain call.

• AC/DC drummer cleared on pilot charge
• NZ Society UK Charity Ball raises £13,500 for charitable fund
• 3 Mile Limit Wins Best International Film In Washington

Spain, Turkey, the Canaries or Greece: are you fed up of your regular holiday haunts? Why not consider some great destinations that you’ve never looked into before?

• Topdeck earlybird savings on Australia and New Zealand
• Think deeper, fly cheaper
• Bangkok and its markets: where to visit?

From the wide open spaces of Australia’s remote outback to the splendour of New Zealand’s snow-capped mountains, Topdeck offers over 20 adventures through Australasia taking you to both major spots and off the beaten track.

• Get the best travel deals

The Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill (No. 3), introduced in August 2013, passed its final stages in Parliament today.

• Kiwi hits highs against major currencies
• New tax legislation delivers clarity and fairness
• Temporary stay of execution on foreign pension transfers

If you are new to London, things might be a bit weird at first. But the clubbing scene should never confuse you. Go east for the cool kids, go south for the cooler kids and co city centre if you are a rich kid ready to have a good time.

• Tips for Living Abroad For the First Time
• Some financial and health insurance tips for prospective expat Kiwis
• Leaving for the UK: Your countdown checklist