Today's latest news

Cecilia Robinson: Why extending prescriptions to 12 months is a good thing

OPINION: Five of the top columns of the year from Cecilia Robinson.

Police concerned after bike left for a week at remote campsite

There are fears the bike's owner may be overdue from a trip.

Driver in Anthony Joshua crash charged with reckless driving causing death

Long-time trainer Latif Ayodele and coach Sina Ghami died at the scene.

Swiss ski resort tragedy: Sparklers on champagne probed after 40 killed

Police are also probing if packed Le Constellation breached fire safety rules.

Sam Hunt ate here: Iconic Kiwi cafe loved by star poet up for grabs

White House Cafe for sale nearly a decade after closing its doors.

'The job I was born to do': Slimmer, sharper Chase star The Beast opens up in rare NZ interview

Mark Labbett on fatherhood, Bradley Walsh, losing 60kg and how he fared in a NZ pop quiz.

The key to their 50-year marriages and close-knit families? Friendship

New York Times: How a secret mothers’ group became a 44-year lifeline.

'It’s prime stuff': Over 500 more homes in pipeline for Havelock North

One developer says there appears to be a 'gross oversupply' of planned subdivisions.

Thunderstorms hammer North Island as mayor opens relief fund for residents

Thunderstorms with hail up to 20mm in diameter are possible from Taranaki to Auckland.

NZ's Best Beach 2026: Help choose the 2026 winners, from hidden gems to city sands

The search for the country's best beach returns and we need your help.

Morning quiz: In which sport might you perform a googly?

Test your brains with the Herald's morning quiz.

Beach trip memories | NZ Herald Best Beach 2026

Go to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach to nominate your favourites. Video / NZ Herald

Real growth or 'hollow recovery'? Economists pick the big issues for 2026

The economy is growing again, but can it last, and what should we watch out for?

Editorial: Napier’s orca a pod of big ‘fish’ in a small pond

OPINION: Since 1840 more than 5000 whales and dolphins have stranded.

Romanoff seeking second major victory of season in Classic

NZ 2000 Guineas winner set to be the one to beat in today's Levin Classic at Trentham.

World champion jockey James McDonald made an offer he can’t refuse

New Zealand's world champion rider makes a rare raceday appearance in his home country.

'It's not a sad place': The Kiwi cemetery that looks like a Disney movie

Pacific culture has lit up Manukau Memorial Gardens cemetery in South Auckland.

Inside Operation Italian Sky: The takedown of a crime boss and his crew

Millions in cash and drugs were shifted by air and land.

A capital gains tax for farmers? The Country's top shows of 2025

The Country's August 14 edition was the second most listened to (and read about) in 2025.

'Rare and authentic': NZ's first Land Rover sparks charity drive

Year in Review: This tale of a Landrover called Twenty was well-read in 2025.

What's your favourite beach? | NZ Herald Best Beach 2026

Go to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach to nominate your favourites. Video / NZ Herald

Why Auckland’s busiest cemetery looks like a Disney movie

An Auckland cemetery has turned into a colourful, happy place, thanks to the Pasifika families who go there.

Small business success - How the Egg Project cracked it

Kem Ormond's 'egg-cellent' story was a popular read on The Country in April 2025.

Lightning sparks house fires in Auckland and Mangawhai

Five fire appliances and about 25 firefighters raced to the Grey Lynn property.

Hosking v Campbell new rivalry; TVNZ, Sky TV ripe for new owners? 26 hot takes for NZ media in 2026

The best-read and most engaging Media Insider stories of past 12 months and more CEO Q&As.

Cove Rd closed for hours after ambulance crash leaves person in critical state

Police say the collision happened about 7.50pm on Cove Rd in Waipu.

Pink spends new year in hospital after neck surgery for 'rock 'n' roll' injury

The 46-year-old star had two discs inserted in her neck after touring.

The best frying pans to buy in NZ, as tested by three top beef and lamb chefs

These are the pans the experts can't live without.

Where Kiwis have the best chance of buying a house for less than $500,000

Towns and suburbs like Ohura and Fordlands offer cheap homes, but there are trade-offs.

Four youths charged after 100km chase across Waikato ends in arrests

Two men and two 14-year-old boys now face aggravated robbery charges.

Swiss investigators rush to identify victims of New Year's fire

The blaze at Crans-Montana’s Le Constellation bar killed about 40 people.

Watch: Grey Lynn house catches fire after lightning strike as thunderstorm hits Auckland

A central Auckland home was struck by lightning, causing its roof to burst into flames as thunderstorms hit the region. Video / NZ Herald

Ikea customer charged $69 shipping for chair stickers

Rana Ghosh paid $69 delivery to get $1.25 chair-leg stickers sent to Lower Hutt.

A teacher tells: NZ kids are not prepared for school and parents are to blame

A teacher tells how kids are arriving at school unprepared and without basic life skills.

MetService weekend weather forecast 2 January 2026: Cooler wet weather over the weekend

Cool and showery before the sun returns. Video/MetService

MetService Severe weather update: Afternoon/evening January 2, 2026

Thundery weather and heavy rain for Upper North Island and Auckland

Severe thunderstorm warnings lifted for Auckland and Northland, weather watches remain

Heavy rain could bring flash flooding and treacherous driving today.

How to get a good night’s sleep when it’s hot and light outside

Telegraph: Are summer nights affecting your sleep? Here’s how to get the rest you need.

'Utterly appalling': Outrage as Gloriavale sex offender Howard Temple seen at market

Witnesses say seeing Temple at the Moana market left them shocked and feeling ill.

Teenager saved from rip thanks to police officer and lifeguard

Police were called at 7pm about a teen who couldn't get back to the New Plymouth shore.

Dame Karen Poutasi, first female Director-General of Health, dies aged 76

She later headed NZQA for 14 years and briefly chaired Health New Zealand in 2023.

Where to go in 2026: The adventurous destinations previously under the radar

Savvy travellers are adding these 11 destinations to their must-visit lists.

Auckland money launderer forfeits nearly $600k to Crown

Musabayoufu Fuati has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars under an agreement with cops.

Health NZ activates incident management team after cyber breach

Health NZ says its systems not affected.

40 dead, 115 injured in Swiss ski resort fire, witnesses describe people ‘running through flames’

A fire ripped through a crowded bar in a luxury ski resort as people rang in the new year.

Health NZ says systems unaffected by ManageMyHealth app breach

A cyber crime group is demanding a $60,000 ransom by January 15.

Summer Questions: 'Winning back hearts key to turnaround' – Warehouse CEO Mark Stirton

The Warehouse Group chief executive Mark Stirton answers the Herald's summer questions.

Afternoon quiz: Saddam Hussein was the leader of which political party?

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

Detective investigated after having intimate relationship with rape complainant

Queensland Police withdrew a job offer while they investigate the man's conduct.

Tears and stunned silence at vigil for Swiss fire victims

Some families are still waiting for news of loved ones who remain missing.

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Friday, January 2, 2025

Afternoon Headlines | Firefighters urge extra fire caution and investigation under way after Bay of Plenty death | Friday, January 2, 2025

Elliot Royce: Why NZ’s mid-market succession gap is fuelling a dangerous brain drain

OPINION: Many founders give senior managers only vague, distant promises of ownership.

What your skin reveals about your health, from itchiness to cracked lips

Telegraph: If your skin looks or feels different, it may be time to book a GP appointment.

From fortress to fragile: How Auckland FC's home aura has started to fade

Auckland FC have already dropped eight points at home this season.

Police investigating unexplained death in Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore

Police are investigating an unexplained death in the suburb of Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore.

Officer hit by bottle as 1000 youths clash with police in Coromandel holiday spots

Seven youths were arrested in Whangamatā and one in Pāuanui overnight.

Police investigate unexplained death at Devonport property

Neighbours say the owners, a couple in their 60s, were away and not at the property.

Herald Summer Premium quiz: Which character is author Helen Fielding's best-known creation? 

Our 20-question challenge released at noon during Christmas and New Year’s.

Australia’s Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket

The 39-year-old will finish with 88 tests if he is picked for the upcoming Sydney match.

Three injured, one critically, in Levin crash shortly after police pursuit

Police are appealing for any witnesses in relation to a crash in Levin last night.

Heavy rain warning for parts of Hawke’s Bay issued, police plead for driver caution

70-100mm of rain is likely north of Napier, with peaks at up to 25mm an hour.

'Serious safety questions' following deadly Swiss bar fire

Around 40 people died and more than 100 were hurt in the Crans-Montana blaze.

Waitress paraded sparkler-topped champagne bottle through Swiss ski bar before blaze that killed 40

The New Year’s Eve party was well underway when tragedy struck.

At least 7 dead, many missing as migrant boat sinks off Gambia

The boat, carrying more than 200 migrants, capsized in the middle of the night.

Kiwi social media website Neighbourly taken down after claims of data breach

Neighbourly has shut its website while a specialist security team investigates.

Inside the Auckland mill weaving fabric for airlines and luxury jets

Inter-Weave runs NZ's only factory of its type and has landed a huge New York order.

Spinning yarns at NZ's only commercial wool weaver

InterWeave's Tracy March on weaving for airlines and what customers want. Video / Cameron Pitney

How a kid from Porirua has become America’s newest sweetheart

Faith Ward has been named the newest member of the elite group.