Today's latest news

Screen and stage farewells: Remembering the showbiz icons we lost in 2025

Hulk Hogan, Diane Keaton and Ozzy Osbourne were among the stars who died last year.

Afternoon quiz: Arnold Schwarzenegger played John Matrix in which action movie?

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

Darren Levy: Why leaders must stop cutting and start building culture in 2026

OPINION: Data shows defensive habits like blame and over-control quietly erode results.

Director describes Chevy Chase as 'rudest celebrity' she has interviewed

The documentary revisits the famous comedian's clashes on SNL and hit sitcom Community.

Eight dead in US strikes on alleged drug boats: US military

The latest strikes bring the reported death toll from the campaign to 115.

Positive night: Bay party hotspots busy but largely well-behaved

Ambulance callouts fell to 177 between 10pm and 3am, down about 40% on previous years.

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Thursday, January 1, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | 5 deaths recorded in NZ holiday road toll and patients warned after health portal data breach | Thursday, January 1, 2026

Kiwi sports rich list: Ranking the top 10 Kiwi earners

Steven Adams, Ben Stokes and Joseph Parker feature among NZ's top earners.

UK Govt vows to fight European judges over Shamima Begum

Strasbourg court asks Britain to justify stripping Isis bride of her citizenship.

Survive in 25, fix in 26: Why insolvencies could still rise in a recovery

OPINION: Baker Tilly Staples Rodway's Tony Maginness and Jared Booth share their thoughts.

Herald Summer Premium quiz: Working out on a reformer is often part of which exercise system? 

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

NY Day weather: Thunderstorms, floods and slips loom in the south, ‘quite nice’ up north

Downpours of up to 40mm/h may trigger flash flooding, slips and poor driving.

Trump says he's pulling National Guard from three US cities - for now

The withdrawals follow court defeats, including a Supreme Court block on Chicago.

Iran government building attacked as top prosecutor responds to protests

Students at 10 universities nationwide have joined this week's rallies.

'Much loved friend': Plaque finally marks Matthew Perry's Hollywood final resting place

Family delayed the memorial, citing privacy concerns after his death.

Nurse ‘beaten nearly to death' in crowbar rampage

Megan Lynch was among six people injured in the attack at the Merseyside hospital.

Lotto: Strike Four ticket sold in North Island town nabs $700,000 prize

Three other punters also welcome new year with big win.

Top cop walks the NYE beat to honour slain policewoman

Commissioner Richard Chambers spent New Year’s Eve patrolling the streets of Nelson.

'Making the most of a recovering economy' – Metlifecare chief on 2026

What of 2026? 'We will need to move quickly and smartly to capture the momentum.'

The story behind Hawke’s Bay’s blossom spot: Japanese families turn crash sites into memorials

The reason the photo spot exists is because of immense tragedy and generosity.

Putin wishes Russians victory in Ukraine in New Year speech

The Russian President used his New Year message to praise 'heroes' fighting in Ukraine.

Tuxedo could be perfect fit for Rich Hill Mile punters at Ellerslie

The Rich Hill Mile is the highlight of a huge Ellerslie meeting today

New Delhi’s worst air pollution in years fuels anger in test for Modi’s party

Prime Minister’s party was criticised over its handling of the air quality emergency.

GPS is key to the global economy. It’s also surprisingly easy to attack

GPS jamming can impact financial and health systems and civilian airline traffic.

Couple accused of misusing ill friend's money say they have done nothing wrong

The couple have successfully had their bank accounts unfrozen by the court.

Revealed: Our Heroes of 2025 – the Herald's top picks

We honour the best in news, sport, business and entertainment.

Streets of gold: Auckland's most expensive streets revealed

The average price of homes on Auckland most expensive street is $11m.

Rising river forces festival evacuation but New Year mostly calm, 41 arrests across NZ

Police helped move up to 100 Twisted Frequency campers from rising floodwater.

'He literally saved our lives': Disney stunt worker hit by runaway Indiana Jones boulder

The stunt boulder broke free and bounced toward the seated audience.

Person found dead on highway north of Auckland; police seek dashcam footage

Police say the person is believed to have been hit by a vehicle and left on the road.

China says live-fire drills around Taiwan 'completed successfully'

Japan, Australia and the Philippines say the exercises threaten regional stability.

Cargo ship seized over Gulf of Finland undersea cable damage probe

Police say the Fitburg cargo ship was seized in the Gulf of Finland.

Mary Holm: Do we really need to save $1.45m for retirement?

OPINION: Five of the top columns of the year from Mary Holm.

France plans social media ban for children aged under-15

The initiative is backed by President Emmanuel Macron with a draft law drawn up.

Police Commissioner on the beat in Nelson for NYE

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers joined police on the front lines in Nelson on the one year anniversary of officer Lyn Fleming's death. Video / NZ Herald

Rapper Bad Bunny criticised over museum monument snap

Mexico’s heritage agency says even light contact can permanently damage artefacts.

Queen Camilla recalls fighting off train attacker as a teenager

She shared the story during a BBC discussion on violence against women.

Trump gets wrong country, wrong bird in windmill rant

US President blames wind turbines for killing American bald eagles.

One dead after crash on SH26, Hauraki

The road is expected to stay closed for a short time while crews work.

Joshua’s driver could face prosecution after fatal crash in Nigeria

Nigerian investigators say the Lexus SUV was speeding and overtaking dangerously.

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Thursday, January 1, 2026

Morning Headlines | NZ welcomes 2026 with Sky Tower firework display and road closure on SH16 | Thursday, January 1, 2026

The 15 must-watch sporting events this year

The major events and must-watch dates for Kiwi sports fans across the next 12 months.

World begins to welcome 2026

Pacific countries, including New Zealand, were the first to see in 2026, with Seoul and Tokyo following Sydney in celebrations that will stretch around the globe. Video / AFP

'I could never have thought would happen': Stars honoured in King’s list

Cynthia Erivo and Idris Elba join a 1157-strong New Year Honours list.

When your hangover has a hangover: What leads to multiple days of misery?

New York Times: Why are some people more susceptible to multiple-day hangovers?

Sydney-Hobart overall winners stripped of title

The penalty handed overall victory to Min River co-skipper Jiang Lin.

From grief to fireworks: How the world welcomed 2026

Crowds in Sydney paused for a minute's silence before 9 tonnes of fireworks.

Watch: Surfing French bulldogs wow beach crowds with fearless wave-riding skills

The pair now surf between Paihia and Russell, even circling cruise ships at sea.

The three Fs that helped former Black Cap launch a new innings in life

For Lou Vincent, life is about giving back and enjoying the small moments with family.

Greatness awaits Republican Party if he can restore NZ’s dented pacing pride

Favourite wins Auckland Trotting Cup but not without a fight.

The final straw – seagull nest leads to flood at Napier pharmacy

The pharmacy had no idea about the homemaking seagull as 58mm of rain fell in the CBD.

Club patron Emma Twigg returns for Hawke’s Bay rowing’s 150 years New Year

Twigg won a World Beach Sprint rowing title seven weeks ago.

The separation: Inside the unravelling US-Ukraine partnership

New York Times: This is the chaotic, previously untold story behind the past year.

GPs worried by lack of information on ManageMyHealth data breach

GP leaders say they learned of the possible breach only through the media.

Herald Hat-trick sports quiz: January 1

Can you get a hat-trick?

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.

The Country: What was the most popular story of 2025?

With over 100,000 views, this story was the most read on The Country's website in 2025.

Northern Ireland to the North Island: A well-travelled tractor

This yarn about Stanley Wilson's trusty tractor was a hit on The Country in March 2025.

How a landlord responded when tenants stopped paying rent

Kansas City rents rose 4.4% last year, double the rise across the US.

The tiny Japanese island on the front lines of China’s feuds

New York Times: Residents feel the stress of being caught between geopolitical rivals.

Letters: Security services rethink needed after Bondi Beach tragedy

OPINION: Readers say comparing kids to politicians is unfair and share views on MMP.

How Sally plans to transform farm education for kids

Story on 'vet, mother, farmer, writer, lover of animals and homesteader' popular in 2025.

Jonathan Ayling: Liberal democracy only endures if the people work to maintain it

OPINION: New Zealand polling shows the threat to liberal democracy is real.

Housing handbrake easing as economists tip steady price growth in 2026

The housing market could bounce back in 2026, but Kiwis need to feel safe in their jobs.

Morning quiz: Who created the cartoon characters Beavis and Butt-Head?

Test your brains with the Herald's morning quiz.

She tried to kill a president. He loved her anyway

NY Times: A widower married a woman with a notorious past. It tore his family apart.

Society Insider ones to watch: The Kiwi couples, entrepreneurs and stars chasing a huge 2026

From All Whites and SailGP to AF Drinks, Kiwis are plotting global moves.

‘Mass fatality’ risk: How Milford Sound upgrades will pull visitors away from ‘catastrophic’ tsunami

Milford Sound lies on the Alpine Fault and this could put more than 3500 lives at risk.