Today's latest news

Why Trump’s Venezuela oil revival plan is a $170b gamble

It could be a years-long, challenging process with equipment, facilities in poor shape.

Albanese tours Queensland flood disaster zone

Towns have been cut off, and thousands of livestock are missing or dead.

Military remains loyal after Maduro ouster, Venezuelan exiles say

Many in the armed forces have pledged loyalty to interim leader Delcy Rodriguez.

Inside scoop: The 2500-year history of ice cream

OPINION: Ancient Persians built yakhchals in 550BC to store and even make ice.

AI images of Maduro spread rapidly, despite safeguards

NY Times: AI imagery was depicting a prominent figure as a historical event was unfolding.

Divers find 120kg of cocaine hidden in 'sea chest' of ship docked in Tauranga

A tip-off after a suspicious sale of dive gear led to huge drug bust.

What to know about Trump’s desire to take over Greenland

NY Times: Most of it is inside the Arctic Circle, where powers are vying for dominance.

Glamour gallopers hit the road to maintain fitness during summer lull

The trainers of galloping stars are being forced to look far and wide for lead-up races.

No room? No worries. Top veges to plant in your tiny garden

This space-saving story was the third most-read "Kem Ormond's vegetable garden" of 2025.

Head and Smith centuries put Australia in charge of final Ashes Test

Head’s third ton of the series could reshape Australia’s test batting order.

Jennifer Lopez says next partner must accept 'all that I am'

Star joked about her marriage to Ben Affleck during a show in Las Vegas.

Jailed rapist 'swallowed razor blade' when told he had to change prison units

Kane Dawson was then charged after he refused to hand over the blade.

Popular influencer dies tragically following overseas surgery

The content creator and mother had more than 73,000 followers on Instagram.

'I only have the capacity for work and family right now': Sophie Turner on her weekly schedule

The actor hopes her 30s will bring peace after her 'relatively hard 20s'.

'So disappointed': Fans shocked over superstar's Barbie reveal

Can you tell what singer the doll is meant to resemble?

Why Ronan Keating says Boyzone getting back together would be bad for them

He said the band's previous efforts to reunite ended in a "huge blow-up".

EB Games proposes shutting down all NZ stores, ending local operations

Under the proposal, all 38 New Zealand stores and the distribution centre would shut.

Aussie heatwave set to cook Hawke's Bay as sizzler extends eastwards

Metservice has forecast temperatures as high as 36C in Hawke's Bay on Sunday.

MetService Daily Weather: January 6 2025

MetService Daily Weather: January 6 2025. Video / MetService

Market close: Infratil leads NZ market up

US oil companies buoyant on Trump plan for them to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry.

'I do it for the money': Hacker claims to be behind health data breach

'Don’t worry, this will be over soon,' the person identifying as the hacker Kazu said.

New speed zones proposed for key highways

Speeds at these seven rural intersections would drop from 100km/h to 60km/h.

Why women fall in love with women in later life

Telegraph: Changing your sexual preferences in midlife is not that uncommon.

All Whites striker Andre de Jong joins South African giants Orlando Pirates

The 29-year-old may make his debut for the league leaders on January 24.

Names drip out of those affected by ManageMyHealth data breach

Frustrations mount as questions around accountability arise.

Venus Williams exits ASB Classic in first round

The loss marks her 1101st WTA match and seventh appearance in Auckland.

Helicopters join week-long search for missing tramper in South Island national park

Graham Garnett, 66, was expected to return on December 30 but has not been seen.

Aotearoa: A name and a choice - a response to the Herald's editorial

OPINION: There are concerns with how language is being used as a political instrument.

'Like playing the All Blacks': Father and son open supermarket to take on the duopoly

The family-run store opens tomorrow and promises cheaper food and 'fairness'.

Watch: Trail of dead fish found floating in the water off Great Barrier Island

A fishing trawler was spotted near the trail of fish in the Hauraki Gulf.

Lifeguards issue warning after multiple rescues over busy weekend

Eastern region lifeguards have carried out 144 rescues this summer.

Have your say: Rule changes you would love to see in sport

Our writers have shared how they want to revise sporting codes and now it's your turn.

Summer pests: How to keep ants, flies and mozzies out of your home

These small changes can make a big difference.

North Island woman was made redundant - now she's won $340k Lambo

Sonya Smith thought it was a scam call until the video turned to show her new Lamborghini.

Tears and grit as Barry’s ASB Classic dream is crushed in first-round rout

The 23-year-old Kiwi wildcard went in as a $19 outsider at the TAB.

Elderly man dies after being crushed by car at Wānaka home

The victim lived alone at the Roche St property for many years.

Her brother pleaded guilty to the Idaho murders. Now she’s ready to talk

NY Times: How the Idaho killer’s family is trying to live with the weight of his crimes.

'Do people still have the appetite?' DiCaprio worries for future of cinema

He fears cinemas could become niche 'silos' like jazz bars for fans.

Alliance boss Willie Wiese steps down as Dawn Meats installs acting CEO

Dawn Meats paid $270m last year for a 65% stake in Alliance Group.

Pūkeko freed after five days with energy drink can stuck on beak

'One thoughtless act can have a major impact on inquisitive birds' - Auckland Council.

Afternoon quiz: Robin Williams won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for what film?

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

'We are just getting started': Sharesies boss eyes next wave of growth

Online share trading boss Leighton Roberts talks about the year ahead.

Kennedy family farewells Tatiana Schlossberg at private New York funeral

She died weeks after publicly revealing her leukaemia diagnosis.

Duke of Marlborough denies strangling wife

He appears in court accused of attacking Edla Marlborough on three occasions.

Residents fear 'Trojan horse' development over film studio plans near Queenstown

Proposed Ayrburn Screen Hub is being considered under the fast-track approvals process.

Chalamet boosts Oscar bid with Critics Choice Awards win

The Critics Choice win cements Timothée Chalamet as the Oscars frontrunner.

Manage My Health hackers extend ransom deadline after data leak threat

Hackers are demanding a US$60,000 ransom for stolen medical records.

Fears many sport clubs don’t realise they’re about to be dissolved

Many codes, including rugby, netball and cricket, still have low sign-up rates.

Trial begins for Uvalde school policeman over mass shooting response

Adrian Gonzales allegedly 'failed to engage, distract or delay the shooter'.

Kiwi woman accused of smuggling $5.5m of meth in checked luggage at Auckland Airport

Customs say the meth haul could yield up to 922,500 individual doses.

Despot chic: Maduro’s Nike Tech sweatsuit and the thirst for notoriety

Searches for 'Nike Tech suit' spiked after the arrest images appeared.

From red to black: Costco NZ posts $9.6m profit as revenue climbs

Costco NZ has turned in its first profit in New Zealand.

How to fight, flirt and stay close: The best relationship advice for 2026

New York Times: Six expert-backed ways to keep your relationship in good shape.

Gisborne SPCA floods after heavy rain

Flooding came into the SPCA and animals had to be shifted to safety. Video / Gisborne SPCA

Holiday road toll rises to eight after woman dies three days after crash

Two others critically injured in the accident remain in hospital.

Police hunt William Nelson-Bell over thefts and assaults

The 23-year-old is known to frequent the Counties Manukau area, police say.

Four questions on what happens next with Venezuela

Analysis: Does the US Congress step in? Does the American public care?

Manage My Health hack could re-traumatise sexual violence, family harm victims

More than 400,000 Manage My Health files were taken in the cyber attack.

The Kiwi mum building a life in sport – on the field and behind the TV camera

Placid first tried fistball in 2022 and quickly played at World Games level.

Drones, helicopters and specialist crews at work in week-long hunt for tramper

Connor Purvis, 20, set out to tramp alone about December 30 and did not return.

Bird versus can: Pūkeko spends five days with empty energy drink stuck on its beak

The bird was filmed by a visitor to the Auckland Botanic Gardens on January 2, sparking a volunteer rescue effort. Video / Supplied

Watch: 'It just went up so quickly' - Man charged with arson and assault after wild house fire

Neighbours used garden hoses as windows exploded and flames shot metres high.

Good on defence, and attack: Hawke's Bay woman wins top Defence Force award

Deena-Ranginui Puketapu continues to stand out, in all of her fields.

'It's a dream': Disability advocate buys first fully accessible home

Her new home was built 'fit for purpose' with wider doorways, no carpet and sliding doors.

Family tribute after death of young DJ who taught Rhythm and Vines' DJ SuperGran

22-year-old Gisborne DJ Jamil Shiloh Weiss dos Santos has been remembered by whānau.

Israel to introduce electronic tagging in West Bank

Those targeted will wear electronic bracelets tracking any breach of orders.

'The gunmen’s feet walked around us': Designer recalls Kiwi friend rescuing her during Bondi massacre

Chris Woods pulled his friend from under a van to safety as gunfire rang out.

Ashes: Australia take the lead on third day

England hold a 218-run lead after the second day of the final Ashes test.