Today's latest news

New oil explorer faces sole bid test after offshore ban overturned

The EnZed Energy bid is the first offshore exploration attempt since 2018.

Police name driver, 21, who died in fiery crash that injured two

The Hamilton man died and two passengers were hurt when the car they were in hit a truck.

‘It looks fast’: Lawson on hand as Racing Bulls reveal 2026 Formula 1 car

Both Red Bull and Racing Bulls’ cars were unveiled in Detroit, Michigan.

Why the RMA is being scrapped (again) and what it means for your backyard

Exemptions could save those wanting to build a granny flat up to $5650.

Controversial Wellington identity arrested over social media posts

The posts allegedly made serious claims about a Wellington man.

Woman, 26, charged with murder after man dies in Napier

Police cordons remain in place on Savage Cres as a scene examination continues.

Tourist who killed grandmother on rural highway breaks down at sentencing

The defendant and family members were all in tears in the Christchurch District Court.

I was earning $120K a year in IT - I made more than that in a month in real estate

But Tejinder Singh made the switch to help take care of his ill daughter.

Family supercharged: Four brothers line up together for superstock history

They will face up to 120 rivals in Wellington this weekend.

Corrections to trial ‘hospital hub’, current hospital escorts ‘no longer fit-for-purpose’

Chief executive says a pilot of the scheme will be held at an Auckland hospital.

Woman allegedly attacked on Auckland bus, driver completely unaware at wheel

The driver only learnt of the assault at the end of the bus journey.

Rehette Stoltz on Gisborne council staffing, RMA reforms and 2026 plan

Now LGNZ president, Stoltz insists her first priority remains being mayor of Gisborne.

Trump accepts Nobel medal from Venezuelan Opposition leader

The US President said the move was a 'wonderful gesture of mutual respect'.

Ed Sheeran traffic chaos: Motorists warned of long delays across Auckland

Bombay to central Auckland is already a 90-minute crawl for drivers.

Watch: Three rescued from ocean near Tolaga Bay

A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon spotted the trio, who had spent hours clinging to a lifejacket on Wednesday.

'This is important': Reese Witherspoon urges fans to beware social media scammers

The 49-year-old says scammers are using her name to build fake relationships.

Govt poised to water down 2m Auckland homes intensification plan

Christopher Luxon is under pressure from National Party strongholds like Howick.

What now for Scott Barrett? Winners and losers from Robertson’s exit

OPINION: Who stands to gain, and who will suffer after NZ Rugby’s unprecedented move?

Afternoon quiz: Fort Knox is located in which US state?

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

Gaza ceasefire enters phase two despite unresolved issues

Donald Trump is to chair a new ‘Board of Peace’ overseeing the transition.

The Country: How to win Young Farmer of the Year

Rachel Shearer, Alan Whetton, George Dodson, Hugh Jackson, Hunter McGregor, Riley Kennedy.

CHB world No 1 steps up at Potts Classic athletics

Briana Stephenson is the top-ranked female heptathlete so far in 2026.

New Zealand vacates embassy in Iran as threat of violence escalates

Human rights groups estimate more than 2500 people have been killed in unrest.

Shelton slump: Off-colour top seed falls in ASB Classic quarter-finals

It was just Baez's third win over a top 10 rival in 21 career attempts.

'Time flies when you're having fun': Sir Tim has the last word at his funeral service

NZ farewells one of its longest-serving, and most recognisable, public servants.

Police probe targeted shooting after person critically injured in daylight Auckland attack

A central Auckland resident has claimed a person jumped out of a vehicle and opened fire.

NZ Herald Headlines | Friday, January 16, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | MetService lifts severe thunderstorm warnings and protests follow ICE shootings | Friday, January 16, 2026

Motorhome destroyed as flames tear through house-bus on SH5

Police are managing traffic on SH5 as the burnt-out motorhome is towed away.

Fasting, weight-loss jabs or keto? We tested 3 different ways to lose weight

Telegraph: Three women who successfully shed the pounds share their experiences.

Is Robbie Deans the answer as All Blacks coach after Robertson exit?

Ex-NZR boss David Moffett says the organisation is 'in a bit of a mess' at the top.

Woman's charge upgraded to murder after Tauranga man’s death

She has appeared in court also facing several other charges.

Venezuela’s Machado says she ‘presented’ her Nobel medal to Trump

Machado says she handed Trump her Nobel medal after a White House meeting.

Ed Sheeran Auckland concert guide: Gate times, road closures, what you can bring

The Grammy-winning singer kicks off his Loop World Tour in Auckland.

Emergency services attend unfolding Auckland incident

Multiple police and ambulances were seen racing through central Auckland suburbs before 12pm. Video / Michael Craig, Supplied

Why parole board says teen baseball bat murderer is still too risky to free

Teenage tourist murderer Jahche Broughton denied parole for seventh time.

Food prices dip again but power and grocery bills keep climbing

Electricity prices have jumped 27% and gas 56% since December 2021.

Girl who made Waitārere 111 call 'incredibly traumatised'

Police have yet to speak to the three critically injured victims of Wednesday's shootings.

Hobbit house for sale: Bach with Bilbo Baggins vibes up for grabs for over $560K

Vendor spent years restoring unusual home.

Leading livestock scientist Dave Leathwick mourned

He worked directly with farmers and vets nationwide to improve animal health.

Princess of Wales: I play rugby with Charlotte – but I don't want to be tackled by George

The princess said she plays rugby at home with Princess Charlotte.

Jones moves to cut bycatch fees for deepwater boats as seas warm and stocks shift

Warming seas are pushing snapper and kingfish offshore, increasing bycatch, Jones says.

Teens arrested after 90-minute wrong-way dash across city

The three teens, aged 14 to 15, were first spotted breaking into a store in Howick.

Prince Harry's legal team accused of fraud in Daily Mail phone-hacking case

The High Court case is set for a nine-week trial starting next week.

Greenland could cost the US $1.2t

Nato allies are rushing troops to Nuuk to counter American claims over security.

Freddie Mercury’s ‘secret daughter’ dies aged 48

Her story emerged from 17 diaries Freddie Mercury gave her weeks before he died.

Three in custody after early-morning electronics store raid

Security footage captured the heist.

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'A superpower in decline': World reacts to Scott Robertson’s All Blacks exit

Global pundits warn the All Blacks' global brand is under threat.

'Can’t be defined by one race': Tuke targets fresh SailGP charge

The new SailGP season starts in Perth this weekend before events in Auckland and Sydney.

Many of Wairarapa’s recent forest fires began in old burn piles

Wairarapa is in a restricted fire season and open-air fires need a permit.

Standalone Grok app still undresses women after X curtails access to tool

X says Grok is blocked in some places, but the stand-alone app still undresses photos.

Syrians flee Kurdish-controlled area near Aleppo

Residents fled Deir Hafer after the army set a 5pm deadline to leave.

Slips close SH2 through Waioeka Gorge

There is no estimated time for the highway to reopen at this stage.

Final death toll from Hong Kong fire put at 168

The victims include 10 migrant domestic workers and one firefighter.

No conviction for illegal Mt Eden buildings: Real estate agent's job a factor

Blockhouse Bay agent James Lu and builder Xian Fan Liu pleaded guilty to charges.

‘Who is that?’: Hollywood star, 80, shocks on magazine cover

Fans say Candy Spelling's magazine cover makes the 80-year-old look decades younger.

The All Blacks' aura is dead and Scott Robertson's ousting shows it

Telegraph: Other countries have pulled back the curtain and found the 'wizards' are human.

Where next for Razor? British club keen on departing ABs coach

The London club are known to be big admirers and are keen to make contact.

US says it has seized another oil tanker in Caribbean

The Veronica has been under US sanctions since 2022 for Venezuela ties.

'Enjoy the process': Why ex-Kiwis NRL star Asofa-Solomona is at peace with boxing switch

The 29-year-old will fight fellow ex-NRL player Jeremy Latimore in Brisbane.

'I was definitely shocked': Evan Peters on Jessica Lange's AHS comeback

Lange, 76, returns more than a decade after leaving the horror anthology.

Trump convinced 'to give Iran a chance' after threats over protest crackdown

Rights group Iran Human Rights says at least 3428 protesters were killed.

NZ Herald Live: Sir Tim Shadbolt’s Invercargill funeral

Sir Tim Shadbolt’s Invercargill funeral

Two people found dead at scene of serious overnight crash on main Hamilton road

The crash happened on Te Rapa Rd in Beerescourt about 12.30am.

European military mission in Greenland as US aim 'remains intact'

Seven European nations have joined Denmark's Nato exercise in Nuuk.

Huge blast and fire in central Dutch city as buildings collapse, at least four injured

At least four people are in hospital after the central Utrecht blast.

Health NZ confirms another major tech outage

Senior doctors blame months of IT failures on cuts to Health NZ digital staff.

All Blacks' next coach: Top contenders and why former coach may be the best option

Who is the person to replace Scott Robertson as the next All Blacks coach?