Today's latest news

Channel Tunnel power glitch sparks travel chaos

Train services between London and the continent were cancelled impacting holiday plans.

Bangladesh’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia dies aged 80

The ex-leader was the country's first woman prime minister.

Chappell Roan backtracks on Brigitte Bardot tribute

The singer said she was unaware of the French star's controversial views.

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Morning Headlines | New Year 2026 Honours released and ambulance crews brace for busy night | Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Burst tyre and speed probed after Anthony Joshua crash in which two people killed

The heavyweight boxer is in a stable condition at Lagos' Duchess Hospital.

Russia: West is insane to question ‘drone attack’ on Putin’s home

Lavrov claims 91 drones targeted Putin’s fortified Valdai lake estate.

Revealed: The Auckland streets attracting rich-lister money and the ones that have fallen out of favour

Waiheke Island luxury strips overtake Remuera in Auckland rich list.

House prices up by 6%, watch out for the election: What to expect in 2026 after a shocker year

Economists tip market growth but warn cheap mortgage rates are coming to an end.

China's military releases footage of live-fire drills near Taiwan

China says it is carrying out live-fire drills on maritime targets north and southwest of Taiwan, involving destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers and drones.

UAE to pull forces out of Yemen as 24-hour deadline set

Yemen's leader has scrapped a defence pact with the UAE and declared a 90-day emergency.

NZ Herald’s top 20 Premium stories of 2025

Catch up with 20 of the best-read Premium articles from the year.

A Hawke's Bay council's debt has nearly tripled in a year to $110m

One Hawke's Bay council's debt has risen quickly, while two others have bucked the trend.

Herald Hat-trick sports quiz: December 31

Can you get a hat-trick?

Practice makes perfect: Flower grower's journey to ideal soil health

Year in Review: Nicky's healthy soil struck a chord with readers in September 2025.

Tales of The Hat: City slicker amazed by farmer's legendary appetite

OPINION: Hunter Wells' fond memories of a hungry farmer was a popular read of 2025.

Year in Review: Barbie's woollen dog bed business

The tale about Barbie's search for a new owner proved popular on The Country in 2025.

How to dodge a debt hangover from Christmas and back-to-school bills

The season of festive joy and relaxation can also come with financial stress for many.

Local legends: The Waikato community stalwarts recognised in New Year Honours

Dame Coral Shaw is honoured for years of public service and abuse inquiry work.

Advocate for blind and low-vision Māori awarded ONZM

Chrissie Cowan has become an international leader in indigenous eyecare advocacy.

Sir Scott Dixon: Motorsport great knighted

Dixon says the New Year 2026 Honour began with his parents and early backers in Manurewa.

'You never do the job for a gong': Rural fire chief awarded King's medal

Patrick O'Rourke, 68, has served the Rissington brigade for more than 30 years.

Gisborne Land Search and Rescue volunteer Chris Sharp recognised again for service

Chris Sharp was a search and rescue volunteer for 60 years.

New Year Honours: Teacher and sports coach recognised with KSM

Del Whyte retired from teaching four years ago, but still yearns for school cricket wins.

Former Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst named ONZM in New Year Honours

Hazlehurst oversaw a record $2.1b upgrade of Hastings’ core infrastructure.

Sports honours: The stars and quiet achievers in the New Year Honours

Scott Dixon, Lorraine Moller and Martin Guptill are among those recognised.

Community stalwart Gerald Hope – father of Olivia Hope – honoured for services to Marlborough

The honour comes on the 30th anniversary of his daughter's murder.

'Quite a shock': Gisborne historian humbled by King’s Service Medal

Sheridan Gundry worries there is no-one ready to record Tairāwhiti's next 50 years.

From Tauranga mayor to Ukraine lifeline: Honour for Tenby Powell

Tenby Powell becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2026.

'Have you got the right person?': League stalwart stunned by top honour

Jenny Nahu has spent 50 years driving rugby league in Rotorua.

Trotters could power Dunns to stakes title at season finale

Trainer Robert Dunn has added a powerful string to his bow with enormous trotting success.

Editorial: New year, new you. Again.

OPINION: Why your New Year’s resolutions fail – and how to finally make them stick.

Letters: Cheers for small businesses, a lower road toll and private schools

OPINION: Small business operators are what make NZ unique and give the country its heart.

Meat-loving Argentines shun beef as inflation bites

They eat more beef than people in Europe and Asia but social issues are having an impact.

Heart-surgery hero tackles first TRYathlon!

Reporter Lily meets Jake, who shares his inspirational journey from a major heart operation, to race day victory at the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon

Helen Clark farewells father George, 103, after life spanning a century of change

OPINION: George Clark lost three uncles in World War I before he was even born.

'Lucky and blessed': Shirley Hooper honoured after 50 years of service to women's sport

Pāpāmoa's Shirley Hooper receives NY honour for services to netball and artistic swimming.

Global educator recognised with ONZM

Professor Dr Jens Mueller has been appointed an ONZM in the New Year 2026 Honours.

Journalists and broadcaster receive higher honours

The New Year 2026 Honours List recognises four giants of New Zealand media.

New Year Honours: Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō recipients named

They include a former mayor, doctor, and two Citizens Advice Bureau managers.

Altadena fire recovery: One year on, town rebuilds after deadly blaze

Nearly 6000 Altadena homes were destroyed or damaged in the Eaton Fire.

Mamdani tries to start on the right track at a historic station

New York Times: Mayor-elect to be sworn in at City Hall Station, opened in 1904.

Morning quiz: What is the most streamed Stevie Wonder song on Spotify?

Test your brains with the Herald's morning quiz.

New Year Honours: Tech titan, red-hot racer, DIY philanthropist and 97yo organist among 177 recognised

There are four new knights and three new dames in the New Year 2026 Honours out today.

Sir Rod Drury heads Hawke’s Bay list in New Year Honours

A knighthood, ONZMs and KSMs - nine from Hawke's Bay are on the list.

New Year Honours 2026: The full list

The 2026 New Year Honours are out today. Here's the list of New Zealanders recognised.

Merlin needs some 3200m magic to stop the Party tonight

The $250,000 Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park is dominated by two pacers.

Putin’s extraordinary claim could bring down peace talks

Analysis: Drone attack allegation provides Moscow with pretext to reject Trump’s proposal.

The places to be, and the places in for thunderstorms, this NY’s Eve

One North Island region is forecast to finally see a break after a week of poor weather.

New Year Honours: KSM for Havelock North church minister

Rev Wayne Toleafoa has spent a lifetime serving Pasifika communities.

Decades of dedication: Libby Fletcher honoured for protecting Lake Tarawera

Libby Fletcher awarded a King’s Service Medal in the New Year 2026 Honours.

Call from the PM's office leaves honouree 'flabbergasted'

Jane Richards appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her work.

Former Gisborne teacher and human rights commissioner made MNZM

Kāren Johansen recognised in New Year Honours for services to education and human rights.

Why every garden needs a persimmon tree

This persimmon piece was the second most-read "Kem Ormond's vegetable garden" in 2025.

New Year Honours 2026

Sporting, science and community icons have been recognised in this year's prestigious list.

'Hard work but rewarding': Aphasia advocate Katharine Milford honoured

About 30,000 New Zealanders live with aphasia, many undiagnosed.

From hotline to honours: Farmer receives New Year Honour for rural sector service

Neil Bateup helped raise more than $3m for farmers after Cyclone Gabrielle.

‘I use my voice unapologetically’: Julie Hart honoured for family violence work

Hastings-based family violence advocate made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Firefighter whose dedicated life to helping communities honoured with King's Service Medal

'It became my profession, and it became part of what I am.'

Lifetime of service recognised with honour: Leith Comer's success-driven mindset

His service spans army leadership, Te Puni Kōkiri and iwi Treaty work.

'Could not be revived': Woman suffers medical episode on Qantas flight from Auckland

Emergency services were called to Sydney International Airport about 12pm NZT.

Noel Gallagher quietly donates designer wardrobe to London charity shops

He says he prefers strangers wear his clothes rather than selling them as memorabilia.

Rich-lister’s exclusive lakefront home hits the market for well over $5m

Prestigious estate belonged to the late philanthropist Richard Izard.

'If you need any music': Miley Cyrus' simple line that wins major movie roles

She has now written songs for James Cameron's latest Avatar movie and The Last Showgirl.

Scientists investigate venomous spider ‘hotspots’

The invasive noble false widow spider was first spotted in Porirua last year.

'Like a mini-Singapore but at a fraction of the cost': Why Kiwis should visit this Asian spot

Penang in Malaysia is perfect for families eager to get away.

Watch: Man saved after trying to help windsurfer trapped in 'washing machine' conditions

The Police Eagle helicopter and ambulance crews were sent to the scene.

Market close: Holiday blues make for quiet end to NZX year

NZX's 2025 performance trails 2024 but is up 3% for the year.

Wild weather cuts power, cancels New Year events as warnings roll south

About 10,000 Tasman homes lost power after trees brought down lines.