Welcome message for loved aunty

The sign simply read "Welcome Aunty" and had been colourfully created, and wielded, by 10-year-old Kate and nine-year-old Libby Stewart who arrived with mum Debra Stewart to greet their aunty Jo Stewart who flew in from Melbourne.

"Hi ... woo-hoo," she said excitedly when she spotted the sign.

Jo has been living in Melbourne for eight years but every Christmas she books her ticket home to join the Stewart clan at their Kereru home for Christmas.

"We all catch up ... and yes, these girls are growing every time I see them," she said as hugs were exchanged.

There was nothing too special planned.

As Debra Stewart said, it was just all the Stewart family simply catching up for Christmas.

Some fun and some swimming, and it didn't matter what the weather was up to - it was just "really nice" to have everyone back together.

Jo was happy to touch down in more temperate conditions.

She had had a text from back in Melbourne where the temperature was sizzling up to 36C.

"This is nice here."