Today's latest news

Too hot to handle: Hawke’s Bay brewery shuts early as region hits 37C

GodsOwn Brewery in Maraekakaho shut early as the pizza kitchen hit 45C.

'Avoid the area': Person in critical condition as police set cordons in Palmerston North

Officers were called to the scene in Highbury about 3.15pm.

Wildfires spread to 15,000ha in Argentine Patagonia

More than 500 firefighters and support staff are battling the blazes in Argentina.

Powell says US Federal Reserve subpoenaed by Justice Department

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded faster interest rate cuts from the Fed.

Queenstown wetland wildlife at risk as cats caught hunting

Whakatipu Wildlife Trust stated that trail cameras detected 44 cats over three weeks.

Asian retail chain collapses into liquidation owing millions

The chain, led by businessman Lin Liu, owes creditors around $6m.

Afternoon quiz: What is the capital of Liberia?

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

Diving tragedy: Man dies in evening incident off Mahia Peninsula

Emergency services were alerted at 9.20pm after the man was found in the water.

Police seek wedding guest after assault outside historic Arrowtown pub

Images of the suspect have been released and police are appealing for help.

'Who would tell their kids they were dying?': Friend of Nicola Flint speaks out on NZ mum’s cancer lies

Police say forged medical files and fraud netted Flint more than $180,000.

'Unacceptable': Long grass at tourist drawcard an 'eyesore'

A long-time Rotorua resident says she has 'never seen the lawns like this'.

ASB Classic winner reveals special message before completing rare feat

Elina Svitolina and husband Gael Monfils claim a rare title in the same city.

'Frightened all the time': Inside a $3m kiwifruit tax evasion scam

'Money mule' was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted after threatening to blow the whistle.

'Hope is a beautiful thing' - Adolescence, One Battle After Another win big at Golden Globes

Many of last year's big winners once again claimed the spotlight.

NZ Herald Headlines | Monday, January 12, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | Man and woman charged in Manurewa shooting and demonstrations continue in Iran | Monday, January 12, 2026

Bluebridge ferry to recommence sailing after days of disruption

Six sailings were cancelled over the weekend, with next bookings nearly two weeks away.

Mum awarded $10,000 after son blocks her access to money

Her son became a joint account holder while translating for his mother.

Ethiopia begins construction of Africa's biggest airport, PM announces

Massive hub expected to handle some 110 million passengers a year.

25-year-old named as swimmer missing in Waikato River search

A police dive squad is re-entering the Waikato River today to search again.

What a year without booze did for my brain and body

Telegraph: How one woman went alcohol-free after four decades of nightly wine.

'I do' not enough: ChatGPT wedding speech voids couple's marriage

The couple experienced emotional distress at the thought of losing their wedding date.

How to enjoy a luxurious Parisian stay in Melbourne

Few travellers may know about Melbourne's 'Paris end'.

$356m Rakon takeover bid ‘seems solid, main hurdle gone’ - NZSA

Shares surge in early trading.

'Definite increase': The rise of 3D-printed firearms

Police say 3D guns are being printed in houses and garages throughout New Zealand.

Body found after man fails to return from swim in Rotorua lake

The death comes amid multiple weekend water tragedies across New Zealand.

Sport NZ boss to reapply for role

Raelene Castle's contract has run its course, so she must reapply to stay in the role.

Fire crews battle 300m blaze near Nelson beach, cafe on standby to evacuate

Fire and Emergency NZ crews from Nelson, Stoke, Appleby and Tāhunanui responded.

Seymour insists Govt coalition is stable and productive despite public rifts

The Deputy PM claims the coalition has passed record amounts of legislation in two years.

Trump admin sends more agents to Minneapolis despite furor over woman’s killing

Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot dead in her car near a Minneapolis ICE site.

Iran’s rulers are not just facing a clamour from within

Analysis: The protests seem different this time. Is the regime on the brink?

All Blacks prospect suffers ACL injury, to miss Super Rugby Pacific season

Halfback Dylan Pledger has been ruled out for 12 months after suffering a training injury.

Inside Auckland’s hidden monasteries and retreats

From Carmelite nuns to Tibetan monks – meet some of Auckland's spiritual residents.

Givealittle fight: Pregnant partner of man killed in sand dune goes to court over funds

Devoted dad died in hospital two days after a sand dune collapsed at Muriwai Beach.

Summer questions: A year of change for dairy - Fonterra's Matt Bolger reflects

MD of co-operative affairs says the sale of Mainland will deliver value back to farmers.

Popular Queenstown tourist bridge closed indefinitely after serious structural failures found

Councillors will decide the bridge's future during the next annual plan.

Man and woman charged with murder after fatal late-night Auckland shooting

Police say the victim died at the scene on Balfour Rd, Manurewa late on Friday night.

EU defence chief says combined force could replace US in Europe

Andrius Kubilius floats creating a force of 100,000 troops and European Security Council.

More than 50 flights cancelled as high winds batter Wellington

MetService says winds have eased and no severe weather is expected this week.

Man Utd in disarray after FA Cup exit

United have crashed out of both domestic cups at the first hurdle this season.

Auckland film-maker jailed for child sex abuse material; industry in shock

The actor and director was caught sending images to a 'decoy' police detective online.

Watch: 'Aggressive' overtaking driver almost causes head-on crash - then flips the bird

The frightening display was clearly captured on a bus driver's dashcam.

NZ Herald comments: The stories open for discussion today

Want to have your say on our stories? Here's how.

Young mother seeks five relatives held in Venezuelan jail

Lorealbert Gutierrez was arrested with six family members. Five have remained in jail.

Iranian student protester shot in back of the head and buried by roadside

Her family says Rubina Amini, 23, a Kurdish student, was shot in the back of the head.

More than 500 dead as bodies pile up in Iran’s protest crackdown

Surging death toll follows a significant regime backlash over past days.

French Alps avalanches kill six skiers over weekend

Three avalanches killed three off-piste skiers today, a day after similar incidents.

Samoan chief convicted of slavery and human trafficking set to be sentenced

Slavery convictions like Tuai’s are believed to number only five in NZ history.

Small Business: Yummo hoping to take a bite out of snack market

Abby Greenberg talks to Tom Raynel about her small snacking startup, Yummo.

US homeland chief accuses Democrats of inciting violence after woman killed

Democrats have criticised the exclusion of local investigators from the investigation.

Pop star and his band killed in plane crash after revealing fatal premonition

The Colombian musician and his band were en route to perform a show in Medellin.

Instagram users urged to ignore suspicious password reset emails after data breach fears

Malwarebytes says data from about 17.5m accounts may have been scraped.

Venezuelans demand political prisoners' release, Maduro 'doing well'

Only about 20 political prisoners have been freed despite US claims of a 'large' release.

Money Talks: ‘Deeply uncomfortable’ - Westpac CEO on $2.4m salary made public

Listen: 'I recognise that I get paid a lot of money,' Catherine McGrath says.

‘Massacre’: Hundreds feared dead as Iran tries to crush protests

The Trump administration considers military options in response to the demonstrations.

Auckland’s stalled housing developments a year on: What’s changed

Some long-abandoned Mairangi Bay and Kingsland builds are now rapidly rising.

NZ Herald Headlines | Monday January 12, 2026

Morning Headlines | Forest fires in Te Haroto and Wairarapa, and advisory group seeks to drive reform in aged care | Monday January 12, 2026

Homes evacuated amid North Island forest fires as temps across NZ remain high

Many centres in the North Island were pushed towards heat records on Sunday.

Which milk alternative is the healthiest? Expert advice on what to buy and avoid

Oat, almond or soy? Dietitians on which milk alternatives stack up – and which fall short.

'An artist with a paintbrush': Kiwi skier bags another World Cup gold

The reigning world champion now leads the standings for the World Cup tour.

Syria govt forces take control of Aleppo’s Kurdish neighbourhoods

Syrian forces now control all of Aleppo after seizing two Kurdish areas.

Trump tells Cuba to ‘make a deal, before it is too late’

The US President vowed to cut off all Venezuelan oil and money flowing to Cuba.

US military warns Trump against Iran strikes

US commanders say they must bolster bases and defences before any Iran strike.

Trump’s 2026 affordability message competes with foreign policy push

US President has been clear he won't back down from list of foreign entanglements.

He was diagnosed with cancer, then won a 38,620km sailing race

Charlie Dalin raced for 64 days while secretly treating a 15cm intestinal tumour.

From ball kid to contender: Cameron Norrie on why ASB Classic still matters most

The world No 28 Norrie opens the night session on Monday against Hugo Gaston.

Pickleball boom drives plan for Bay stadium

A planned stadium over a Blake Park car park could host 12 to 14 courts.

Inside the generals’ gilded fortress, empty streets and mouldy corners

NY Times: Myanmar junta struggles to project image of control over crumbling nation.

My wife and I date other people – it’s nice having friends who you can sleep with

Telegraph: From the rules to jealousy - how one couple makes their open marriage work.