Today's latest news

Four passengers of US speedboat shot dead by Cuban coast guard

Florida state attorney-general says he is opening investigation into the shooting.

BBC orders probe into 'serious mistake' over Bafta racial slur

There was a two-hour delay between filming and the television broadcast.

North must not be sidelined in Govt infrastructure plan, business group says

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says the region is not being left off the table.

‘Everyone can tell you a dog war story’ - Te Puna residents battle wandering dogs

Te Puna School reports roaming dogs entering the playground and scaring pupils.

From workmate to defender: How Napier man won second national stockcar title

Caleb Ireland successfully defended his title, with a little help from a workmate.

Peter Ombler receives Hayward Medal for service to kiwifruit industry

Peter Ombler has spent more than 40 years shaping New Zealand's kiwifruit sector.

F1 team rankings: How will Liam Lawson's Racing Bulls will fare?

Formula One’s 'biggest technical shake-up in a generation' has made difficult to predict.

Mayor insists health is fine 'so far' after sewage swim stunt

The Wellington mayor took a dip yesterday to prove the water was safe.

Mount cafes beg for rates relief after deadly Mauao landslide hits trade

Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the council is still deciding if relief rules apply.

Roading rethink: Residents push council to keep smooth asphalt over chipseal

About 95% of those residents opposed replacing the smooth asphalt with chipseal.

The Night Agent star Gabriel Basso on fame, risk and what matters most

New York Times: Why the star of one of Netflix's most popular shows is wary of fame.

'I woke up on the floor': Ex-Warriors playmaker collapses on flight to Vegas for NRL season opener

Chad Townsend fell ill mid-air and passed out: 'It was a bit scary, to be honest.'

Profit pain, pipeline gain: $3.2b landlord sticks with big build ambitions

Precinct has 97% occupancy in its portfolio. Planning new 56-level Auckland twin-towers.

FBI searches LA school district office, home of superintendent

It’s unclear what agents sought at locations tied to LAUSD's Alberto Carvalho.

Sky TV's 'strong' profit comes with warning amid a drop in Neon, Sky Box customers

Sky is in the midst of a major restructuring after its $1 acquisition of Three (TV3).

Mortgage rate U-turn: Another major bank cuts long-term rates

Less than a month after hiking its long-term rates, BNZ has backflipped.

NZ Herald comments: The stories open for discussion today

Want to have your say on our stories? Here's how.

British counter-terror police investigate mosque axeman

The incident occurred at the Manchester Central Mosque during Ramadan prayers.

‘Get out’: Winston Peters’ message to all Kiwis in Iran as threat of war heightens

Foreign Affairs Minister says Iran 'should most definitely not' have a nuclear programme.

Air New Zealand loses $40m in six months, Qantas makes $1b

Airline blames engine dramas, sluggish domestic demand, high costs, and weak dollar.

How Black Caps can reach World Cup semi-finals

A win over England on Saturday would guarantee New Zealand top spot in Group 2.

Moebius syndrome: Auckland influencer Tayla Clement on living without a smile

Tayla Clement, 28, is an influencer, model, and athlete with Moebius syndrome, causing facial paralysis. Clement was born with the condition, which means she cannot smile.

Meet Tayla Clement, the Auckland 'girl who can't smile'

The 28-year-old was born with rare neurological disorder Moebius syndrome.

Classic bach less than 20 steps from secret beach - ‘we don’t like to tell too many people’

Holiday home up for grabs for only the second time in its history.

Daily panel: Cash; Coward punches and workplace bullying

GirlBoss CEO Alexia Hilbertidou and BBM founder Dave Letele debate the top stories of the day. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Eight taken to hospital after serious crash in rural Hawke's Bay

Emergency services were called to Puketitiri Rd about 6.25am.

Taupō river float turns rescue as seven pulled from water

Four men got into trouble: three people jumped in to help.

Hollywood Hills in West Auckland: Resort for sale after 85 years in same family

How a bachelor's pad in the Waitākere Ranges evolved into a boutique hotel.

Why it takes so long to sell a house, and how to speed things up

OneRoof's Catherine Smith says leaky homes, lack of parking, or bad neighbours could be warding off buyers.

'Like bringing back jazzercise and legwarmers': Banking sector pans call for 1000 more branches, ATMs

Industry players are keen for discussion but don't think more ATMs are the solution.

Labour MPs dust off gumboots for annual Federated Farmers meeting

Labour's Jo Luxton is promising a reset after farmers felt 'too much too fast'.

Kiwi start-up Wayve helping take Uber's robo-taxis to London

Wayve co-founder Alex Kendall on the Kiwi tech behind Uber's self-driving cars, set to rollout in London in the near future.

Epstein files: Fresh Trump accusations

Donald Trump has been accused of sexually abusing a minor in missing Epstein files. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Revealed: The contents of Epstein’s secret storage locker

Search warrants show US authorities never raided at least six Epstein lockers.

Disgraced GP turned tutor trespassed from top college amid bullying, harassment claims

Staff at Mount Albert Grammar School said they felt bullied and threatened by Rhys Cullen.

Lyall Bay residents fear neglected Queen's Drive property is a danger to passersby

Wellington City Council has logged complaints about the site since 1997.

Northland local says Christopher Luxon must do more in wake of dog attacks

Northland Local Democracy Reporter Susan Botting joins Ryan Bridge TODAY.

Reserve Bank pushes for banks provide cash services to customers

The Reserve Bank wants to introduce more ATMs – ideally within walking distance if you’re in an urban area.

NZ national cybersecurity strategy overdue; Hegseth threatens to draft Claude; Ōhakea 24-7

Business with Forsyth Barr: NZ download new security cert, cyberstrat out of date; Anthropic blinks in US Defence showdown; Ōhakea will be emergency standby for civil aviation.

Customer abuse of hospitality and tourism workers nearly doubles in just a year

Study co-author David Williamson reveals why bullying has spiked in hospitality and tourism. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Govt hails falling social housing demand – but officials say data's unreliable

Concerns about the social housing register data were revealed in an OIA request.

Cha-ching! Big Lotto win for Gisborne

Powerball rolls over to Saturday night with a jackpot of $6m on offer.

Barrister weighs in on the Hauraki Gulf political stoush

Chris Finlayson reveals who's on stronger legal ground amid the Hauraki Gulf debate. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Govt deciding whether US should get access to New Zealanders' biometric data

NZ risks losing visa-free US travel if it refuses the new data-sharing deal.

Man dies next to motorbike at rural Auckland shared driveway, police probe death

He was dead when police showed up around 9pm.

UFC coach calls for tougher coward punch penalties | Herald NOW

Eugene Bareman explains why coward punch offenders need tougher punishments. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Andrew ordered off his horse as aides fear 'bad look' during police probe

MPs broke tradition to denounce him in Parliament over his Epstein links.

Winston Peters: 'High potential' for war between U.S and Iran

Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has placed travel bans on some Iranian ministers.

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Thursday, February 26, 2026

Morning Headlines | Expert slams Reserve Bank plan, Covid inquiry phase two report delivered today and dairy sector delivers record year | Thursday, February 26, 2026

Should I refrigerate apples? An A-to-Z guide to storing fruits and vegetables

New York Times: Good produce is a gift. Keep it fresh as long as possible with these tips.

Trump accused of sexually abusing minor in missing Epstein files

Telegraph: The withheld notes cover four FBI interviews with a woman alleging Trump abuse.

MetService weather: February 26, 2026

MetService weather: February 26, 2026. Video / MetService

Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra see New Zealand to come-from-behind T20 World Cup win

The Black Caps have one foot in the semifinals of the Twenty20 World Cup, after completing one the great come-from-behind wins, against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Video / Sky Sports

Single male Oriental fruit fly discovered in Papatoetoe in Auckland

Legal controls on fruit and vegetable movements will be detailed within 24 hours.

New Zealand Open: All you need to know

Daniel Hillier leads the Kiwi contingent at the NZ Open.

UK police apologise to Commons Speaker for exposing his Mandelson tip-off

Telegraph: Sir Lindsay Hoyle told police of Mandelson's alleged plan to flee the country.

UK PM pauses Chagos bill after Trump interventions

Donald Trump has twice urged Sir Keir Starmer to scrap the Chagos transfer deal.

Gregor Paul: The high-stakes risks for NZ Rugby as CEO search drags on

OPINION: A replacement for Mark Robinson was meant to be announced before Christmas.

Battlefield dead could reach 500,000 in fifth year of conflict

New York Times: New estimate of Russian toll puts verified deaths at 200,186.

An ugly building in a beautiful city gets a much-debated makeover

New York Times: The Tour Montparnasse is to be closed to the public by the end of March.

Police called to murder mystery train ride for real-life intervention

'They put her in the back of the car and she was screaming, absolutely screaming.'

Hawke’s Bay short film aims to make region a film powerhouse

The team seeks $18,000 in crowd funding and plans to shoot at Ocean Beach and Waimārama.

Move targets late-night booze sale loophole

Council consults on closing a loophole that lets some off-licences sell alcohol later.

Santner, Ravindra lead NZ to brilliant T20 World Cup win over Sri Lanka

The Black Caps have one foot in the semi-finals after the come-from-behind win.

Herald Hat-trick sports quiz: February 26

Can you get a hat-trick?

Nathan Seiuli: Blunt approach with move-on order could lead to bigger problems

OPINION: Civil group Pillar argues targeted support, not blunt powers, cuts homelessness.

Editorial: Removing Andrew from the line of succession must happen for a modern monarchy

OPINION: Both Australia and New Zealand have said they would support such a move.

Letters: How do we solve homelessness when government resources are finite?

OPINION: We need to find the right solution for the homeless.