Today's latest news

Bill Clinton to face grilling on significant Epstein ties

The former US President will face the Republican-led House Oversight Committee tomorrow.

Market close: NZ market rises as outlooks surprise

The NZX 50 rose 52 points, or 0.4%, to close at 13,723.

Teacher shortage forcing school subject cancellations, principals say

Some Auckland classes now cram in up to 35 seniors, whereas 20 to 25 is ideal.

Auckland man confronts AT driver caught parking where resident got $100 ticket

An Auckland Transport (AT) spokesperson said the area where the resident parked was clearly marked with a no parking/stopping signpost. Video / Supplied

Woolworths dials back AI helper Olive after complaints about 'mum' chatter

The supermarket has now deleted the mum-themed lines after customer backlash.

NZ Open live leaderboard: Kiwi amateur holds second round lead

Live leaderboard of the NZ Open.

‘From one area to another’: Māori Wardens fear move-on orders miss point

Rough sleeping has troubled Tairāwhiti for decades, Mayor Rehette Stoltz says.

Meat Industry Association chief resigns

Sirma Karapeeva has led the voice for NZ's red meat processors since 2020.

The young man who planned a mass killing, dubbed a national security threat can now be named

He also distributed extreme child sex abuse material.

Harry and Meghan snubbed by Jordan royals on ‘pseudo-royal’ tour

They have met only Princess Basma Bint Talal, not King Abdullah or Queen Rania.

“Other things I know about” – Seymour suggests Air NZ issues beyond reported financial downturn

Act Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour joins The Front Page to discuss his recent calls for the government to sell their shares in Air NZ.

Visas flagged over Bollywood Holi show as INZ finds fraudulent documents

Seven of the 27 visa applications were declined or withdrawn after issues were flagged.

What New Zealand viewers really think of Married at First Sight Australia

We've been asking for your hot takes on Mafs and boy have you delivered.

Auckland builder to pay $5000 after sediment pours into Oakley Creek

Sediment-laden water from the New Windsor site flowed into Oakley Creek.

Martial artists' 100km walk to raise awareness around coward-punch violence

UFC coach Mike Angove will honour 15 coward-punch manslaughter victims on the walk.

'Utter mayhem': Group of 10 teen burglars' crime spree ends with three in prison

The group stole a car and broke into businesses in Hamilton and Te Kauwhata.

'Heinous attack': Man charged after woman injured in BOP assault

Police say a woman suffered moderate injuries and is 'extremely shaken'.

Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

Pakistan declares 'open war' as it hits Taliban sites in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar.

Summer to single digits: Cold blast brings autumn in with a 'bang'

'It’s autumn coming in with a bit of a bang', said a MetService meteorologist.

‘The bittersweet joy of first love’: Prince Edward’s romance hits the page

The book traces her romance from West End chorus girl to tea with the Queen.

'Need a bigger hero': Luxon's ability to deliver localism questioned

The Government is progressing a major reform to local government entities.

Night Market stays put as privatisation proposals rejected

The decision follows a tender process which found no preferred alternative.

Beach where Wellington Mayor Andrew Little took dip now rated 'unsuitable' for swimming

Lawa now rates much of Wellington's south coast and inner harbour as unsafe.

'Well-involved' house fire in Pakūranga Heights, 12 firefighters tackle blaze

Three fire crews and 12 firefighters are working to bring the blaze under control.

Murder charge laid after grandmother's body found at Hawke's Bay worksite

Two Napier men in their 40s charged - one with murder and one with being an accessory.

Afternoon quiz: The 2019 Rugby Union World Cup was held in what country?

Test your brain with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

Rare blood moon to put on midnight show over BoP sky

New Zealand will be among the few regions able to see the entire lunar eclipse.

Hamilton road-rage assault leaves victim in serious condition, police hunt offenders

Police say at least two offenders fled in a vehicle.

Expect delays: Serious injuries after two-vehicle crash on SH1 in Putāruru

Fire and Emergency NZ crews extracted one person from a vehicle at the scene.

The Country: Chris Brandolino says goodbye to summer

Chris Brandolino, Andrew Hoggard, Grant McCallum, Jen Corkran, Stu Wyeth and Barry Soper.

Vanuatu and Fiji on alert as tropical depression set to become Cyclone Urmil

Forecaster Stephen Meke says central and southern Vanuatu face near gale winds.

Third measles case confirmed in Auckland as locations of interest grow five-fold

Despite returning on the same flight, the new case isn't linked to the earlier two.

Four rushed to hospital after chemical detected at Canterbury primary school

The alarm was raised about 9.40am, with emergency services attending.

US citizen killed in Cuba boat clash

The raid comes as Cuba reels from lost Venezuelan oil and tighter US curbs.

Liquid gold on wheels: Mobile plasma bus brings donation closer to home

Plasma from donations can be turned into up to 11 products to treat 50 illnesses.

Pams beef lasagne recalled as it has wrong use-by date

People with the lasagne in their fridge are being warned to check the use-by date.

Immigration adviser duped Chinese migrants with fake NZ construction jobs

Each migrant paid large fees to Tzu Tong Ma before learning the jobs did not exist.

Netflix walks away from Warner Bros. bid, clearing path for Paramount

Paramount Skydance is now free to take control of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Five rescued after boat capsizes in choppy Lyttelton Harbour

Volunteers from Coastguard Sumner and Coastguard Canterbury led the rescue.

How Kim Jong Un groomed his daughter to be his successor

Kim Ju Ae, 13, has appeared at 41 public events, most of them military-focused.

Weak market conditions dampen Move Logistics result

Move Logistics cut its net loss to $900,000, an $8m improvement on last year.

DNA breakthrough links serial rapist to horrific 1988 teen attack

Rewa pleaded guilty this month after a swab matched him to the attack on the 16-year-old.

Scream 7 premiere crashed by pro-Palestine protesters two years after star fired

About 25 protesters rallied outside the Paramount Studios lot in LA.

‘We will be jumping off the boat’: Tour guide describes surviving inferno at sea

‘All right guys’ I said. ‘Bad news is, we will be jumping off the boat' - fire survivor.

Peter Mandelson faces EU anti-fraud probe over Epstein links

If found guilty, Lord Mandelson could lose his $70,000/year EU pension.

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Friday, February 27, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | Mismatch in supply of teachers and US Democrats call for Trump to testify on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein | Friday, February 27, 2026

Hamilton councillors vow shake-up after audit finds 'significant areas of concern'

Councillors now face 35 procurement reforms to roll out over three years.

Teaching gaps: Colleges predicted to be 710 teachers short this year

Primary teacher numbers, meanwhile, are expected to stabilise over the next few years.

Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model

The official trailer for Netflix series, Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model. Video / Netflix

Gregor Paul: Rugby's Nations Championship is more dead duck than golden goose

OPINION: Five months from the first game being played, it might already need to be axed.

Rescue operation for man missing in Manawatū River scaled back, patrols continue

Searches were conducted on the river, Foxton estuary and in surrounding areas.

'We can move on': Napier Mayor names his new deputy after sacking previous one

Richard McGrath says he has no problem with his Deputy Mayor challenging his decisions.

Man arrested and charged after Cannons Creek shooting

The man is due to appear in Porirua District Court today.

Here’s when you should toss your kitchen sponge – and these other household items

Loo brushes, cutting boards and mattresses should also be on your watch list, experts say.

Firefighters' Union raises concerns about lack of staff answering 111 fire calls

The claim comes as firefighters walk off the job again today.

Doggy death row: Staff shattered as dog they looked after for 3 years destroyed

A quarter of dogs in Auckland shelters are waiting for a court to decide their fate.

‘Not exactly gung-ho’: Consumer confidence slumps in February

Confidence dropped sharply in Auckland and Wellington but rose elsewhere.

‘Just like a cheeseburger’: Is this NZ’s best sausage?

Inside the 'Sausage Capital' of NZ's competition to find our best snag.

Pack rape defendant says backpacker was happy, thankful after 90-second intercourse

He told jurors the woman asked for sex while sitting next to his still-naked friend.

Newly formed Bioeconomy Science Institute to cut 134 jobs

The cuts affect 86 science and 48 professional services roles nationwide.

'Protecting assets': Regional council proposes $3b portfolio shake-up and 4% rates rise

The 4% rise is half the 8.2% increase originally forecast for 2026/27.

Fiordland hunters make big push for venison meat processing plant

The planned Te Anau abattoir would turn culled wild deer into venison for sale.

Epstein and Andrew’s week together in New York

Newly released emails show Andrew spent a week as Jeffrey Epstein's house guest.

Tuatapere crowns New Zealand’s best sausage at New World showdown

The self-declared “Sausage Capital of New Zealand”, Tuatapere, has hosted New World’s nationwide Sausage Showdown. Thomas Ramage of New World Alexandra took out the top honour.

Person hit by bus in central Wellington

Willis St is blocked after a pedestrian was injured this morning.

Vista Group posts $2.6m profit despite missing targets

Cinema software company says its trusted high-quality data means it's an AI winner.

Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai wins appeal in fraud case

The fraud convictions for Jimmy Lai and Wong Wai-keung were fully quashed.

'Highly sophisticated' fraudsters posing as bank staff in cold calls to customers

The scammers are described as persistent and credible.