Today's latest news

How one Samoan chief is navigating the rising costs of corned beef

Samoan community leader Pa'u Teleiai Edwin Puni describes the significance of corned beef as well as how his family are navigating its rising cost when it comes to fa'alavelave.

Heightened fire risk as temperatures soar, residents urged to prepare

More than a dozen heat warnings have been issued across the country.

City girl finds happiness in dairy success

Caitlin Snodgrass's success story was a popular read on The Country in September 2025.

'Everybody wants to beat you': Svitolina fights back for ASB Classic survival

In arguably the best match of the tournament so far, the top seed found a way.

'Goldfish memory' helps Iva Jovic fight back into ASB Classic semi-finals

Saturday's clash will be the second WTA Tour semi-final of the teenager's career.

'It's time': Bowen Yang explains decision to exit Saturday Night Live

The 35-year-old comic walked away after seven seasons on the NBC show.

My husband and I moved to France... here's what they don't tell you

It’s not all French cheese and hot baguettes a la plage…

'He was relentless': Woman violently raped by partner had bruises for weeks

She told the man to stop having sex with her, but he wouldn't, and then he beat her.

Market close: NZ sharemarket ends first week up over 1%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 20.61 points or 0.15%.

Orca swim within arm's reach of Kiwi diver in 'insane' close encounter

Diver Jordy Bardin shared the close encounter with her 18,000 online followers.

One sleep habit experts wish you would adopt

New York Times: Working this overlooked practice into your routine could really help.

From gravel to grid: Rovanpera uses Oceania series to chase Super Formula dream

The 25-year-old Finn became the youngest two-time WRC champion in 2023.

Rubbish dump collapse: Rescue workers race to find 38 missing

The collapse hit afternoon workers at Cebu's Binaliw Landfill in the Philippines.

'We were stunned': Power bank blast engulfs commuter in flames

Viral footage showed panicked commuters scrambling as the man ran through the station.

Wealth tax, climate and crime: What politicians told The Front Page in 2025

From Chlöe Swarbrick’s wealth tax push to Shane Jones’ oil crusade, no topic is off limits.

Cops open homicide probe after newborn’s death in Auckland

The 10-week-old baby was taken to Starship hospital in critical condition.

Urgent repairs after $1.25b Transmission Gully highway surface peels off

The road requires years more rebuilding work despite opening less than four years ago.

Trump orders Fannie and Freddie to buy $346b in mortgage bonds to ease housing costs

US President wants bond buy to make it easier for Americans to buy a home.

Island home 'lost' to fire as rising temperatures prompt warning

It was one of several blazes crews across the Bay of Plenty battled on Thursday.

After Minneapolis shooting, AI fabrications of victim and shooter

Disinformation group NewsGuard found four AI hoaxes with 4.24 million views.

Heat alert as weekend highs tipped to climb into 30s

Gisborne is forecast to hit 32C tomorrow, with a 33C peak on Sunday.

Free week of bus travel as Hawke’s Bay unveils biggest network shake-up in years

All GoBay services will be free for all passengers from January 25 to 31.

Three people injured in three-vehicle crash in Lower Kaimai

The crash happened about 3pm.

Crash family fundraiser tops $1000 as social media backlash grows over driver claims

Police say the alleged driver blew zero for alcohol after the crash.

Dad shocked after waking from surgery as a fluent Spanish speaker

The man said he could only count from one to ten before going under the knife.

'Came to this country with nothing': Family watch as their Lebanese grocery store burns

Fire and Emergency slams the union as volunteers take 30 minutes to arrive.

'Gambling with the public’s safety': Firefighters union and bosses clash after Pakūranga blaze

The fire erupted during a one-hour firefighters' strike, reportedly delaying the response.

Foodstuffs North Island boss Chris Quin on 2026's biggest challenges

'A stronger economy unlocks the health and education system we all want.'

Afternoon quiz: In which year did the Tiananmen Square protests occur?

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

Boxing Day bust: $6.5m cocaine and meth haul seized at port

Customs officers seize 18kg of cocaine and meth at the Port of Tauranga.

Security expert finds fresh ManageMyHealth issues

'Reconnaissance' of ManageMyHealth's website and app has found new concerns, he says.

Letters stripped from war memorial as thieves target 'sacred' park

The vandalised structure was a gift from France to commemorate our bond during WWI.

Pakipaki vegetation fire prompts evacuations as Hawke’s Bay heat rises

Napier and Hastings remain on Level 3 water restrictions as heat and demand intensify.

What we know (so far) about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding

New York Times: Clues about when, where and how the famous couple might say "I do."

'We're in the market for a new country': Nick Offerman on why he would swap Hollywood for NZ

The Parks and Recreation star says he and wife Megan Mullally are 'crazy' about NZ.

Summer scorcher: The Bay swim spots to enjoy and those to avoid this weekend

Many people in the region will be looking for the perfect place to cool off this weekend.

‘We’ve got a big problem': Meth use in NZ spikes to record high

Consumption doubled in the second half of 2024, according to wastewater testing.

Trump shows off the White House, and his many personas

During an extensive sit-down interview with the NYT, Trump showcased various personas.

US federal agents shoot, wound two people in Portland, say police

The incident comes a day after an American woman was shot dead in Minneapolis.

Former Wellington mayoral hopeful Graham Bloxham arrested at Venezuela protest

Around 100 protesters gathered outside MFAT on Lambton Quay in Wellington.

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Friday January 9, 2025

Afternoon Headlines | ManageMyHealth begins notifying users affected by data breach, protest erupt in Minneapolis | Friday January 9, 2025

Trump lays out a vision of power restrained only by ‘my own morality’

New York Times: "I don't need international law," Trump says.

'I don’t trust them': ManageMyHealth data breach victim's health records vanish

Situation distressing as woman awaits brain scan results.

Eight things to do this year to lower dementia risk and protect your brain

Washington Post: How to help keep your memory and cognitive abilities in good shape.

‘Catastrophic’: Black Summer-style warning for Victorian bushfires

Residents in more than 30 towns face 'leave now' or 'shelter' orders.

Smoke billows from Pakuranga grocer as family watch

Ahmed Reynolds-Hatem explains the significance of the store to his family, who watched it break out in flames earlier today. Video / Jason Dorday, Supplied

The most popular baby names for 2025 revealed

More than 58,000 births in 2025 in New Zealand produced 19,457 unique first names.

Sunday sizzle: Temperature forecast for Hastings soars to 38C

Six days out, 34C was predicted – two days out, the pick is now 38C.

'Records could roll': Heat alerts issued, forecast temperatures to reach 38C

Hastings is now forecast to reach 38C on Sunday, with 36C expected in Napier.

‘An impossible job:’ How do you really know if a killer is ready to rejoin the community?

Sir Ron Young: 'I've probably seen more people convicted of murder than anyone else in NZ'

What do CEOs read in summer? NZ leaders on their first books of 2026

From romantasy to Roman emporers - the surprising books NZ chief execs took on holiday.

These clever dogs rival toddlers when it comes to learning words

Some 'gifted' dogs can pick up toy names just by overhearing chats.

From toddler torture to daycare abduction: The biggest criminal cases of 2025

Some of Rotorua's most high-profile cases are revisited.

Brits could ban Musk’s X over 'disgraceful' AI chatbot images

Ofcom can use new Online Safety Act powers to block X and its Grok chatbot from the UK.

Fire contained: Crews tackle blaze at former Waikanae religious camp

The blaze broke out about 10.15am on Reikorangi Rd, Waikanae.

Protesters, US law enforcement clash after immigration officer kills woman

Renee Nicole Good, 37, died after an ICE agent fired three shots into her SUV.

'It was terrible': Hero worker chases alleged beer thieves, suffers machete gash

Police tracked the four who took a bus across to Britomart before making arrests.

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'Everyone's broke': Why Canterbury man sells illegal cigarettes

One illicit tobacco seller has weighed in on the issue.

‘Insider with an outsider’s perspective’: New DB chief maps out beer’s next era

Hart returns to DB after 26 years overseas with Heineken and his own firm.

DB Breweries boss on changing drinking habits

Peter Hart, managing director of DB Breweries, speaks to Tom Raynel about the alcohol industry, shifting consumer habits and his time overseas. Video \ Jason Dorday

Woman killed by ICE in Minneapolis was a mother of 3 and a poet

Video shows an officer firing at her car as it reverses, disputing Trump’s claim.

'Pretty stressful': Ferry passengers finally disembark after fault strands 200 overnight

A passenger said they got little sleep due to update announcements about the issue.

Treaty-signing chief’s kauri bust in London auction as push grows to bring it home

Willie Jackson wants Te Papa to help return the taonga to Ngati Porou iwi.

How Trump can take Greenland without firing a shot

Trump is weighing cash, covert influence and troop deals to gain control of Greenland.

From track king to Tour dream: Gate chases first start in cycling’s biggest race

Aaron Gate became the first Kiwi to win four golds at one Commonwealth Games.

'Great white whale': Gary McCormick's naked spa tale of his mate Tim Shadbolt

The longtime friends first met in a police cell.

Two dead after crashes in Hawke’s Bay

Two motorcycles collided mid-afternoon at a rural intersection.