Auckland Airport welcomes thousands of people that return to or visit New Zealand to spend time with their friends and family at Christmas. We present some of these magic moments.

Spencer Smith, 17, arrived back to New Zealand on Monday into the loving arms of his father, mother and grandma.

Smith said the timing of his arrival back to New Zealand could not have been better.

"It's good timing getting back before the holidays.

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"I haven't been back here for about 10 months - I was on an exchange in China," he said.

Smith left the country earlier this year to study Mandarin in China, because where better place to go?

Heading to university next year, his 10 month exchange will set him up well in the future should he choose to head back to China his father Theo Smith said.

Smith said he had travelled around China several times and was glad that his son was learning the language - he was even happier to see him return.

Meeting his son at the arrivals gate with Spencer Smith's mother Cathy Chappell and grandma June Gregory there were smiles all round when he walked through the doors.

"I missed them a lot.

"Especially my grandma," Spencer Smith told the Herald, much to the delight off Gregory.