Today's latest news

'Red flags': Family confronts key figure in missing teacher mystery

Family reveals their next steps in the search for Jayleb: 'We just want him back'.

McDonald’s wins approval for 24/7 Auckland outlet near school

Land beside railway line owned by Tram Lease, associated with $720m Richlist family.

Bullying allegations see senior Corrections staffer under investigation

Leigh Marsh, a top prison boss, now faces an external bullying probe.

Family vow to rebuild 46-year business after huge fire

The blaze on John F Kennedy Drive took about 11 hours to contain.

Society Insider: Auckland fashion dynasty daughter's fairytale wedding to the boy next door

Two dresses, five looks, a 15-minute fireworks display and a Bollywood-theme after-party.

Stock Takes: Airlines at 'sharp edge' of energy market upheaval

Some industry groups say help will be needed to support carriers.

'Only in Australia': Possum discovered among stuffed toys in airport gift shop

Video from the store shows the marsupial blending in with toy kangaroos.

Russia state TV crew wounded in strike on Lebanon

An RT reporter wearing a "Press" vest and his cameraman were in the middle of an on-air report when an Israeli strike happened metres behind them. Video / AFP

3 years gone: How much of our kids’ childhoods Kiwi parents are losing to their phones

New research shows the huge impact parental cell phone use is having on our kids' brains.

Is it just me, or is everyone sick? Be warned, a new 'super' flu strain is looming

Doctors are seeing a 'stream' of respiratory sicknesses and it's not even winter yet.

Sports Fan Survey: Is it the Warriors' year? Have you attended live sport?

All the key questions for a Kiwi sports fan - from live sport to the state of the ABs.

'Extensive delays': SH2 closed near Gisborne after fatal crash

NZ Transport Agency expects the road to remain closed for several hours.

Should we store more fuel at Marsden Point? National vs Labour | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Paul Goldsmith and Willie Jackson battle it out on the politics panel with Ryan Bridge. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

'We could have died': Woman and grandson fall down bus stairs after driver jerks forwards

The pair were left shaken, bruised and without an apology from the driver.

The best knives for every kitchen job - and the one mistake you should never, ever make

How to choose a blade that'll last and make cooking easier.

'Must sell': Faded 'House of Pain' pub on the market after 162 years of pulling pints

Historic Carisbrook Hotel site in Dunedin for sale with a chequered past.

Trump jokes about Pearl Harbour during meeting with Japan's PM

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appeared visibly uncomfortable after the US President's remark about surprises.

Tensions brew over WCC's new HQ as execs get top views, mayor has carpark outlook

The council’s senior officers have harbour views, while politicians are down on level one.

Watch: Trump jokes about Pearl Harbour in front of Japanese PM

The US President praised Sanae Takaichi while reviving a jibe over Japan's Hawaii attack.

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Friday, March 20, 2026

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | The Finance Minister will meet with fuel importers today and relief could be on the way for households - as the petrol panic continues.

300 million litres: Inside Marsden Point's fuel storage terminal

Marsden Point stores 300 million litres of imported petrol, diesel and jet fuel. Madison Malone goes inside the storage compound with Channel Infrastructure's CEO. Video / MM Media

Fuel crisis: 'Govt isn't fully preparing Kiwis for what's next'| Ryan Bridge TODAY

David Keat, former Marsden Point refinery manager, says the Govt needs to prepare us for what's to come. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Mike v John: Will Campbell lift RNZ again?; 'Homecoming': Katie Bradford returns; 'F***ing f***' - RNZ reporter's on-air blooper

Can we trust tech giants' latest advertising data? TVNZ announces a new business host.

Sport Headlines | Friday, March 20, 2026

Sport Headlines | Bulldogs defeat Canberra Raiders 14-10, Silver Ferns mid-courter Maddy Gordon is sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury.

'Unprecedented scale': Seoul braces for BTS homecoming as fans flood city

The band will give their first US late‑night TV interview since military duty.

Iran war causes cricket-ball shortage

Dukes is rationing cricket balls to clubs, supplying only half at first.

Ash Jurberg: I’m not skipping US travel in 2026. Here’s why you shouldn’t either

OPINION: 'I travel to countries with governments I disagree with. Everyone does.'

Car flips in 3-vehicle smash on Auckland motorway near harbour bridge during morning rush

Two blocked lanes have since reopened but motorists have been told to expect delays.

Julia Gabel: Christopher Luxon gushes over family ties with Pacific but there is an elephant in the room

The PM travelled to the Pacific Islands and came back as a Samoan chief.

MetService morning weather update: March 20

MetService morning weather update: March 20.

How many minutes major roadworks may add to Tauranga commutes

Proposed 15th Ave to Welcome Bay Rd works are expected to start next year.

Colour set to fill Hamilton skies as Balloons over Waikato lifts off again

Thousands of people will head out before dawn to watch the mass ascensions.

He almost went to jail over a road sign – now he’s won the fight to get it changed

'I nearly went to jail. But those signs didn’t belong there.'

Plans resurface to burn treated timber at mill near Napier

A trial will monitor whether there are any health risks.

The five types of ‘hasslers’ in your life and how to deal with them

Telegraph: Dealing with difficult people may drive ageing. Here's how to protect yourself.

Herald Hat-trick sports quiz: March 20

Can you get a hat-trick?

Auction drama as Richie and Gemma McCaw sell their home for an undisclosed sum

Their luxury pad is NZ's most viewed home of 2026.

Previously unseen documents show Chateau Tongariro needs millions in urgent repairs, plus quake work

Proposals to revive the hotel will start being evaluated from April.

Editorial: Regressive attitudes towards gender and sex rear their ugly heads

OPINION: The abandonment of a trial suggests NZ still needs an attitude adjustment.

'I lost my rag': Akl resident blames 'deafening' night works for disastrous sleepless week

He said the noise was so extreme he binned his daughter's medication by mistake.

Bailed for stomping, coward-punching, he shot another stranger in the back

The judge said she was especially disturbed that Declan Vaikele had a homemade gun.

Morning quiz: What was heavy metal star Ozzy Osbourne's real first name?

Test your brain with the Herald's morning quiz.

Letters: Wars are a big contributor to greenhouse gases and lead to environmental disaster

OPINION: Conflicts are waging war on the planet.

'He can rest now': Treaty-signing chief’s bust back with whānau

The taonga is now back in Aotearoa after decades circulating in Europe.

Matthew Hooton: We don’t have the cash to 'look through' the Iran war

OPINION: Willis, Breman mustn’t borrow and spend to deal with the latest 'one-off' crisis.

From Xero to zero emissions: New Zealander of the year Sir Rod Drury's power play for Aotearoa's future

Drury is backing massive solar, data centre and fusion power projects.

Extra weight might not be enough to stop Champion winning again

Poetic Champion has the raw speed to prevail again at Trentham on Saturday.

Pacing’s biggest names expected to improve at mega meeting

Tonight is one of Alexandra Park's biggest meetings of the season.

Opinion: Why a rushed Māori seats referendum risks damaging our democracy

OPINION: This may seem like a simple democratic choice. It is not.

5 tips for when you’re wide awake at 3am

Washington Post: Middle-of-the-night insomnia is common. These techniques might help.

Iran targets Saudi Arabia oil refinery as prices surge to NZ$189 a barrel

The prices soared after Iran struck Qatar's largest gas facility.

Rich-lister sells his Auckland mansion to foreign buyer

Former NBR publisher's waterfront estate bought under new "golden visa" rules.

'Mama's little helpers': Princess Lilibet joins mum Meghan for new social media promo

The $450 gift box includes flowers, tea and honey.

'Absolute idiocy': Tennis player runs in front of train to retrieve ball

A witness said his heart was in his mouth watching the incident unfold.

Jenée Tibshraeny: What can the Govt really do to shield us from this oil shock?

ANALYSIS: Securing supply is the first line of defence.

MetService evening weather update: March 19

MetService evening weather update: March 19. Video / MetService

How Seoul’s listening bars serve nightlife vibes without the hard drinking

LP bars in Seoul offer jazz-filled, low-pressure alternatives to crowded pubs.

A grandmother left a window open so her granddaughter's abuser could come in

The man, in his 20s, would climb in through a window to have a sex with the pre-teen girl.

NZ Herald Evening Headlines | Thursday, March 19, 2026

NZ Herald Evening Headlines | Thursday, March 19, 2026

'Who is this?': Kevin Hart roasts his own wax statue

Fans joked the figure looked more like 'Devin Hart' and 'Kevin The Weeknd'.

Market close: NZX drops 2% as fears send markets tumbling

The S&P/NZX 50 Index slid to a close of 13,051.61, down 263.99 points or 1.98%.

I've cared for 100 dying people. This is what I want people to know about death

There are similarities in what the dying share, Pamela Shennan says.

'Worst I've ever seen it': Nurse calls out lack of support staff

Taupō Hospital 'like a poor neighbour' to Rotorua Hospital, says fed-up nurse.

Wegovy, Ozempic and muscle loss: How worried should patients be?

New York Times: Influencers have stoked concerns, but experts say it's more complicated.

'It just went haywire': Husband loses control of car, crashes, killing wife

The 54-year-old will fight for a discharge without conviction next month.

Diesel prices spike by 90 cents per litre since Iran conflict, report finds

A fuel monitoring report shows retail prices have risen by around 55c per litre.

Dilworth abuse survivor says $90,000 redress offer ‘insultingly small’

He says the offer devalues decades of trauma and loss.

Spend less, tax more, sell assets – Treasury strategist's tough prescription

The official warned that New Zealand was on its own.