How to slash household bills and pay off your mortgage faster in 2026

Mortgage tips, bill hacks and grocery savings to ease cost-of-living squeeze.

MG HS Essence Hybrid+ quick review: all the electrons, none of the plugs

The MG HS is a hybrid that delivers an EV-like driving experience, with a few rough edges.

Small Business: The best of the wurst with Frank’s Sausages

Sheryn and Frank Nagel built the brand from a laundry kitchen in 2008.

US military seizes sanctioned tanker ship

NZ Herald Headlines | Thursday January 8, 2025

Undersized snapper dumped and dead in Northland

Why Auckland’s busiest cemetery looks like a Disney movie

Herald Hat-trick sports quiz: January 8

Morning quiz: Which South American country has the equator, the Andes and the Amazon all within its borders?

Sudoku - test yourself

Crosswords

Money Talks: Derek Handley launches mission to revolutionise home buying

The biggest mistakes Kiwis make when booking a South Pacific holiday

She's visited every country on the planet solo – and there's only one she won't go back to

A Moment in Crime: Podcast revisits the crime that shook Ōpōtiki

‘Breakthrough moment': All Whites book three-match home World Cup send-off

The All Whites will host Chile, Finland and Cape Verde in Auckland in March.

England look to build on lead on final day of fifth Ashes test

England held a 119-run lead with two wickets in hand heading into the final day.

All Whites defender makes A-League move to boost World Cup hopes

Bill Tuiloma has signed a long-term deal with the Wellington Phoenix.

Herald Hat-trick sports quiz: January 8

Can you get a hat-trick?

How to slash household bills and pay off your mortgage faster in 2026

Real estate bargains at the top of NZ - reality of buying in the Far North

How 'Reacher' and 'Defib' joined forces and sold $100m of property in 12 months

‘How can I get rid of my home loan? It’s killing me' - hacks to take years off your mortgage

Study shows brains mature early, driving judgment doesn’t

We may have all the grey matter we get by our teens but that doesn’t make us good drivers.

Musical chemistry: Cellist Martin Smith joins a Kiwi cultural institution

Smith is a new addition to the NZ String Quartet in time for the Adam festival.

Book of the day: Some Bright Nowhere by Ann Packer

A story of a dying woman who banishes her husband falls short on emotional impact.

Short story: Maia and the Sparrow by Nat Baker

This year's theme in our summer collection of short stories is distraction.

A deep dive into the world of sharks

Auckland Museum's new exhibition Sharks reveals…

A guide to managing moisture at home

Resene’s experts provide tips and strategies to tackle the issue.

Helping locals this Christmas

Bringing food, support and festive-season kindness to the community.

Mortgage-free in six short years

How one Kiwi couple hit freedom fast – without missing life’s fun.