Today's latest news

Why the court cancelled man's $300k 'gift' to ex-wife

The court's decision followed a messy family dispute.

Richard Prebble: Why Luxon’s India trade gamble could decide the next election

OPINION: My forecasts for the year ahead.

Actor Ian Ziering sued over alleged road rage attack and false public claims

Accuser Jacob Hernandez says he was shoved, injuring riders and damaging bikes.

First road death victim of Christmas holiday period named

Carl Duncan was fatally struck on McGrath St, Napier, near the junction with Wellesley Rd.

ChatGPT is overrated. Here’s what to use instead

Google's Gemini excelled at images, while Claude was strongest on words and law.

Warning after off-duty guards rescue five

Off-duty lifeguards spotted the group in trouble about 200m offshore.

Authorities urge violence-free night in Auckland, New Year’s events cancelled elsewhere

It comes after two straight nights of violence in Auckland, involving group brawls.

Far North traffic stop uncovers firearm, meth and stolen car

Police stopped the stolen car after clocking it speeding on SH11 in Kawakawa.

Kiwi band Borderline at Rhythm and Vines

Young NZ band Borderline played a great set during Rhythm and Vines.

Man who held record for most obese on Earth dies age 41

Juan Pedro Franco weighed 590kg when Guinness World Records recognised him in 2017.

On The Up: Inside their Xmas tree was an unexpected surprise – 3 hatchlings to nurse to health

A Havelock North couple fossicked through the branches and found a different kind of gift.

25 TV shows you might have missed this year (but really should watch)

These are the unmissable series hiding in plain sight this year.

Best of Inside Economics: Productivity problem – where should ordinary Kiwis invest?

ANALYSIS: Liam Dann answers reader questions about economics.

Herald Summer Premium quiz: Social media frenzy over “Dubai chocolate” has sparked rising demand for what kind of nuts?

Our 20-question challenge released at 12pm over Christmas and New Year’s.

Christmas holiday road toll rises to 4; police appeal for dashcam footage

A person died in a Waikato crash overnight and one died today after a crash near Kaikōura.

US operations in Syria against Isis kill seven, capture fighters

US forces have conducted several missions against the terror group this month.

'It has to be': Auckland FC target revenge after bizarre home loss to Newcastle Jets

Auckland FC have lost just three of 19 home matches at Go Media Stadium

On The Up: The full 100 – New Zealand's greatest sporting moments of the past 25 years

Celebrating 25 years of New Zealand's greatest moments.

Democrat ‘disappears’ $188,220 diamond ring at centre of fraud scandal

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick faces 15 fraud and money laundering charges.

Electrical fire cuts power to dozens of Russell businesses

An electrical fire in Russell yesterday cut power to dozens of businesses during the busy holiday period.

CIA conducted drone strike on port in Venezuela

New York Times: Attack suggests new phase of Trump Administration's campaign has begun.

Audrey Young: Who would lead if Luxon couldn't?

There are a couple of likely scenarios – and a bold scenario.

Search for missing dog after yacht capsizes off Northland coast

Witnesses say the missing dog, Rimu, was wearing an orange life jacket.

‘Noise is not the same as progress’: Te reo leader’s warning after royal honour

Professor Tom Roa has been fighting for te reo Māori for more than 50 years.

She was killed in a 'unique way' - now police want to speak to men who visited her house

Teishallia Te Paea likely died some time before her body was discovered.

Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK’s granddaughter, dies at 35

Tatiana Schlossberg’s family announced her death in a social media post shared by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Watch: Video of protester defying police in Iran goes viral

Tehran demonstrator filmed sitting in the street and facing down police on motorbikes.

Arise Sir Rod: Xero founder knighted after $21.78b tech success

Xero founder is now investing in start-ups and pushing power reform.

Liam Dann: Why the economy didn’t recover like it was supposed to

OPINION: Squeezed by two kinds of bad economy at once – economists call it stagflation.

Israel warns it will suspend several aid groups operating in Gaza

Israel said the suspensions were for failing to provide details about Palestinian staff.

Analysis: How ancient Sparta explains 2026

A vanished Greek city-state has been mythologised for its militarism and self-reliance.

JFK's granddaughter dies at 35 after rare cancer diagnosis

The climate writer criticised her cousin Robert F Kennedy jnr for his vaccine opposition.

Kiwi tourist thought grounded cruise ship on reef near PNG was 'going to sink’

There were 80 passengers and 44 crew on board the Coral Adventurer.

Students join Iran demonstrations after shopkeepers protest

Students rallied at seven top universities in Tehran and Isfahan on Tuesday.

Diana Clement: The simple rules to follow to maintain a cashed-up retirement

OPINION: Five of the top columns of the year from Diana Clement.

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

Hidden Auckland: Five summer spots worth going out of your way to find

How to find Auckland’s kauri giant, ‘old city’ lanes and fossilised forests.

‘Ocean’s Eleven’ gang steals cash, gold from German bank over Christmas

The bank estimates losses at €30m, with some clients underinsured.

Working for Families at 20: Inside the creation of the biggest welfare reform of the 21st Century

Half of all families with children get hundreds of dollars a week thanks to the scheme.

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.

'Pretty exciting': Boy, 10, breaks club record with marlin nearly as big as tinny

Father and son estimate it took 45 minutes to reel in the 'electric blue' fish.

NZ house sale profits in 2025: Who enjoyed the biggest gains and the biggest losses

Research shows the level of pain in the market has quadrupled.

'Blatant provocation': China fires 27 rockets in Taiwan blockade-style drills

Taipei tracked 130 Chinese aircraft and more than 50 vessels during the drill.

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.

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.

'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.

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.