Today's latest news

'Engine that gets New Zealand going': Mercury bets big on new power projects

Mercury's boss says gentailers are now building new plants faster than 'Think Big'.

'Are you threatening me?': Contractor approached by undie-wearing tenant armed with metal pole

The tenant says he was concerned a plum tree he liked was going to be cut down.

Desperate developer catches a break after crowds overwhelm auctioneer at $1 reserve sale

$1.7m-plus payday as buyers try their luck.

The McSkimming docs: Emails, texts show how the Beehive responded to ‘grim’ report

Hundreds of pages of documents have been released.

'What the hell are we going to do?': Sleepless nights for bach owners at evacuated campground

'I don’t even want to go up there and look at the place at the moment.'

Farmers fear erosion will worsen if nursery subsidies are cut

Council reviews subsidy for farmers to buy tree poles to stabilise hillsides.

Michael Fowler: The fascinating slip-sliding history of camping at Clifton

In 1938, the hillside came down onto Clifton Domain. The spoil was then used to level it.

'Biggest spenders': Working holiday visas benefit the Bay

Each working holiday visa holder is estimated to inject up to $60,000.

Swimmer turned power cyclist eyes Commonwealth Games

She took up competitive para-cycling only in 2023 after eight years in swimming.

What to do in Auckland this weekend: Pride, parades, films and food

Another weekend in Tāmaki Makaurau, another slew of events to keep you entertained.

Kim Knight: Stop arm shaming my bingo wings

Wondering what to worry about after climate change? The answer is just above your elbow.

'I speed myself': Local board member faces investigation for potential conduct breach

Three complaints allege Geoff Upson breached the elected members' code of conduct.

'A game-changer': Fonterra payout surge set to hand each farmer about $480k this season

ANZ expects the dairy payout to give GDP growth a tailwind through to 2026.

Christchurch quake 15 years on: The PM and his right-hand man – what did they get right?

Fifteen years on, Christ Church Cathedral remains half-ruined in the square.

Kelsey Waghorn on her new book Surviving White Island: and Everything that Came After

Francesca Rudkin talks to Kelsey Waghorn about her new book Surviving White Island: and Everything that Came After. Video / Newstalk ZB

'This is how I die’: Whakaari tour guide describes being engulfed by eruption

'The moment I saw it, I knew what was happening. The island was erupting.'

15 years on: Gerry Brownlee on the Christchurch rebuild

Gerry Brownlee reflects on the Christchurch rebuild, 15 years after the city was hit by the 2011 earthquake. Video / Mike Thorpe

Ohope Wins may be good enough to defy racing’s prevalent trend

Today's Ellerslie meeting has become one of the highlights of the racing calendar.

‘You’re not the mother’: Cafe boss allegedly told chef wanting time off after wife's miscarriage

Buoy cafe must now pay the couple more than $95,000 in lost wages and compensation.

'We’ve got to give it our best shot': Community bid to buy iconic Kerikeri market

The community has 12 months to raise $7m to buy the Old Packhouse site.

Morning quiz: Who took out this year's Supreme Halberg Award?

Test your brain with the Herald's morning quiz.

Mercury boss Stew Hamilton on how hydro, wind and geothermal power stack up

Mercury CEO Stew Hamilton discusses the country's setup with hydro, wind, and geothermal energy.

Woman says years of missed care leaves her facing organ removal

It was only when the woman switched practices that her tumours were discovered.

Editorial: Children keep dying while the system meant to protect them stands still

OPINION: Oranga Tamariki already knew about half of the 24 children who later died.

Thomas Coughlan: A policy that could win the election, and keep thousands of Kiwis in NZ

OPINION: There's an easy way to give graduates $3000 to stay in New Zealand.

Homekill butcher’s micro abattoir vision

The planned Edgecumbe plant would cut waste and create up to 20 rural jobs.

How to make this crunchy couscous salad your go-to summer side

This easy salad is loaded with textures and flavours.

China log supply and NZ forestry: Stable prices but sellers gain edge - Marcus Musson

OPINION: Chinese New Year mill closures in China are reshaping log supply and prices.

Warriors lose to Dolphins after leading 34-20 late

The Dolphins scored three late tries to pip the Warriors.

Hurricanes open season with crushing win over Moana Pasifika

The Hurricanes opened the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a big win.

Medical tourist fights for compensation, claims surgery destroyed her stomach

She paid $5500 for an operation in Turkey after being priced out of local options.

Buyer loses significant deposit after ghosting vendors

Shock end to settlement drama sees Kohimarama Lodge up for grabs again.

Millionaire Asos co-founder dies after 'mysterious' 17-storey fall in Thailand

Police have not ruled out foul play in the death of Quentin Griffiths.

Mansion draws dozen qualified buyers in its first week - they’ve got $9m to spend

Vendors are selling up after 20 years in the historic villa they bought for just over $3m.

Shoplifter shoves frozen crayfish down pants, goes back for mud cake

The 32-year-old had sorted himself a three-course meal. Trouble is, he didn't pay for it.

Hugh Hefner's widow calls for investigation into Playboy founder's foundation

Crystal Hefner says the foundation holds about 3000 of her late husband's diaries.

Four people seriously injured in two-car crash west of Feilding

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified and is investigating the scene.

Olympic silver medallist Nicole Shields calls time on high-performance career

Shields won silver in the women's team pursuit at Paris 2024.

Urgent recall of salami brand after concerns over food safety controls

All batches of the three Zaroa NZ salamis are affected and must not be eaten.

'Don't come': Message to protesters as police gear up for Auckland's Rainbow Parade

Last year Destiny protesters broke through police barricades and performed a haka.

From Charles I to Princess Anne: The royals who fell foul of the law

Princess Anne was fined and given a criminal record over her dog Dotty in 2002.

Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane dies aged 53

Eric Dane has died at the age of 53 following his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Video / Getty, NZ Herald

'Yet another failure': Blame game over Auckland college blaze as union points finger

The fire gutted the college's oldest building a year before its 150th jubilee.

Family and police worried as 45yo Glenfield woman disappears

Katherine has not contacted her family since yesterday.

Market close: Heavy end to week as big stocks drag sharemarket 1% lower

The NZ sharemarket reversed most gains made on Thursday after mixed company results.

Person seriously injured after altercation on Onehunga Mall

Police were called at 3.46pm after reports of an altercation.

‘Absolutely terrifying’: Group storms dairy with machete, robs woman of cigarettes, money

One of the robbers filmed the offending on his cellphone while another jumped the counter.

The six things that make your anxiety worse (and what to do instead)

Telegraph: The small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big difference.

Was Zoi robbed of gold? Snowboarding world split over Olympic slopestyle result

The 24-year-old’s silver at the Milano-Cortina Games is her fifth Olympic medal.

'Sat there and just cried': Eden Park criticised for mobility access to Tattoo show

Venue's boss countered the claims, saying mobility transport ran smoothly all night.

'UFO files': Trump orders agencies to identify and release alien records

Trump ordered agencies to locate and release UFO and alien files.

Police seize 200kg of illegal drugs, arrest 11 in major undercover sting involving 'dark web'

Police said multiple firearms were intercepted following the nine-month investigation.

I played football in a prison with 16 inmates - here's what happened

Nathan Limm visited Auckland South Corrections Facility to play football with prisoners.

Infrawork sold to Australian recruiter PeopleIN in $56m transtasman deal

Infrawork includes Extrastaff, Visahub and Manila-based Sky Bourne International.

Dogs to be destroyed after fatal Kaihu mauling, council confirms

The three dogs are currently impounded while police investigate.

Royal reckoning: Inside Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s public humiliation after arrest

Police say the ex-prince shared trade secrets with Jeffrey Epstein.

Community invited to help with rebuild plan for West End to Ōtarawairere Point track

Residents can now submit detailed repair plans for the damaged coastal track.

Man delivered coward punch to rubbish truck driver, who landed face-first on the road

Calem Jackson crashed into the rubbish truck before launching his attack on the driver.

Why banks now have room to trim some fixed mortgage rates

Which rates are most likely to be cut?

Builder who bought former Wellington mayoral desk happy to give it back

An inquiry found three council checks on the old desk missed the confidential files.

Royal reckoning: Inside Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s public humiliation after arrest

Royal correspondent Gavin Grey joins The Front Page from Windsor to break down the latest on the disgraced royal.

Westpac cuts fixed home loan rates after latest OCR decision

The bank is cutting its three, four and five-year fixed home loan special rates.

Confusion over who is meant to deal with Wellington’s ongoing power cuts

More than 25,000 properties initially lost power in the lower North Island.

Grey’s Anatomy star 'McSteamy' dies aged 53

The actor spent his last days with wife Rebecca Gayheart and daughters Billie and Georgia.

'Nightmare': Wellingtonians hire generators, stop using loos after five days with no power

Lower Hutt residents say they are frustrated with Wellington Electricity's communication.

Fox charges into top five at rain-hit Genesis Invitational opening round

Fox carded a four-under 67 to sit fourth after the opening round.

Police name man who died in Port Chalmers crash

A 24-year-old man has since appeared in court after the fatal crash.

Ex-Prince Andrew arrest: The law change New Zealand would make if the line of succession changed

The former prince is eighth in line to the throne.