Today's latest news

Romanoff seeking second major victory of season in Classic

NZ 2000 Guineas winner set to be the one to beat in today's Levin Classic at Trentham.

World champion jockey James McDonald made an offer he can’t refuse

New Zealand's world champion rider makes a rare raceday appearance in his home country.

'It's not a sad place': The Kiwi cemetery that looks like a Disney movie

Pacific culture has lit up Manukau Memorial Gardens cemetery in South Auckland.

'Rare and authentic': NZ's first Land Rover sparks charity drive

Year in Review: This tale of a Landrover called Twenty was well-read in 2025.

Hosking v Campbell new rivalry; TVNZ, Sky TV ripe for new owners? 26 hot takes for NZ media in 2026

The best-read and most engaging Media Insider stories of past 12 months and more CEO Q&As.

Cove Rd closed for hours after ambulance crash leaves person in critical state

Police say the collision happened about 7.50pm on Cove Rd in Waipu.

Pink spends new year in hospital after neck surgery for 'rock 'n' roll' injury

The 46-year-old star had two discs inserted in her neck after touring.

The best frying pans to buy in NZ, as tested by three top beef and lamb chefs

These are the pans the experts can't live without.

Watch: Grey Lynn house catches fire after lightning strike as thunderstorm hits Auckland

A central Auckland home was struck by lightning, causing its roof to burst into flames as thunderstorms hit the region. Video / NZ Herald

Ikea customer charged $69 shipping for chair stickers

Rana Ghosh paid $69 delivery to get $1.25 chair-leg stickers sent to Lower Hutt.

A teacher tells: NZ kids are not prepared for school and parents are to blame

A teacher tells how kids are arriving at school unprepared and without basic life skills.

MetService weekend weather forecast 2 January 2026: Cooler wet weather over the weekend

Cool and showery before the sun returns. Video/MetService

MetService Severe weather update: Afternoon/evening January 2, 2026

Thundery weather and heavy rain for Upper North Island and Auckland

Severe thunderstorm warnings lifted for Auckland and Northland, weather watches remain

Heavy rain could bring flash flooding and treacherous driving today.

How to get a good night’s sleep when it’s hot and light outside

Telegraph: Are summer nights affecting your sleep? Here’s how to get the rest you need.

'Utterly appalling': Outrage as Gloriavale sex offender Howard Temple seen at market

Witnesses say seeing Temple at the Moana market left them shocked and feeling ill.

Teenager saved from rip thanks to police officer and lifeguard

Police were called at 7pm about a teen who couldn't get back to the New Plymouth shore.

Dame Karen Poutasi, first female Director-General of Health, dies aged 76

She later headed NZQA for 14 years and briefly chaired Health New Zealand in 2023.

Where to go in 2026: The adventurous destinations previously under the radar

Savvy travellers are adding these 11 destinations to their must-visit lists.

Auckland money launderer forfeits nearly $600k to Crown

Musabayoufu Fuati has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars under an agreement with cops.

Health NZ activates incident management team after cyber breach

Health NZ says its systems not affected.

40 dead, 115 injured in Swiss ski resort fire, witnesses describe people ‘running through flames’

A fire ripped through a crowded bar in a luxury ski resort as people rang in the new year.

Health NZ says systems unaffected by ManageMyHealth app breach

A cyber crime group is demanding a $60,000 ransom by January 15.

Summer Questions: 'Winning back hearts key to turnaround' – Warehouse CEO Mark Stirton

The Warehouse Group chief executive Mark Stirton answers the Herald's summer questions.

Afternoon quiz: Saddam Hussein was the leader of which political party?

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

Detective investigated after having intimate relationship with rape complainant

Queensland Police withdrew a job offer while they investigate the man's conduct.

Tears and stunned silence at vigil for Swiss fire victims

Some families are still waiting for news of loved ones who remain missing.

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Friday, January 2, 2025

Afternoon Headlines | Firefighters urge extra fire caution and investigation under way after Bay of Plenty death | Friday, January 2, 2025

Elliot Royce: Why NZ’s mid-market succession gap is fuelling a dangerous brain drain

OPINION: Many founders give senior managers only vague, distant promises of ownership.

What your skin reveals about your health, from itchiness to cracked lips

Telegraph: If your skin looks or feels different, it may be time to book a GP appointment.

From fortress to fragile: How Auckland FC's home aura has started to fade

Auckland FC have already dropped eight points at home this season.

Police investigating unexplained death in Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore

Police are investigating an unexplained death in the suburb of Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore.

Officer hit by bottle as 1000 youths clash with police in Coromandel holiday spots

Seven youths were arrested in Whangamatā and one in Pāuanui overnight.

Police investigate unexplained death at Devonport property

Neighbours say the owners, a couple in their 60s, were away and not at the property.

Herald Summer Premium quiz: Which character is author Helen Fielding's best-known creation? 

Our 20-question challenge released at noon during Christmas and New Year’s.

Australia’s Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket

The 39-year-old will finish with 88 tests if he is picked for the upcoming Sydney match.

Three injured, one critically, in Levin crash shortly after police pursuit

Police are appealing for any witnesses in relation to a crash in Levin last night.

Heavy rain warning for parts of Hawke’s Bay issued, police plead for driver caution

70-100mm of rain is likely north of Napier, with peaks at up to 25mm an hour.

'Serious safety questions' following deadly Swiss bar fire

Around 40 people died and more than 100 were hurt in the Crans-Montana blaze.

Waitress paraded sparkler-topped champagne bottle through Swiss ski bar before blaze that killed 40

The New Year’s Eve party was well underway when tragedy struck.

At least 7 dead, many missing as migrant boat sinks off Gambia

The boat, carrying more than 200 migrants, capsized in the middle of the night.

Kiwi social media website Neighbourly taken down after claims of data breach

Neighbourly has shut its website while a specialist security team investigates.

Inside the Auckland mill weaving fabric for airlines and luxury jets

Inter-Weave runs NZ's only factory of its type and has landed a huge New York order.

Spinning yarns at NZ's only commercial wool weaver

InterWeave's Tracy March on weaving for airlines and what customers want. Video / Cameron Pitney

How a kid from Porirua has become America’s newest sweetheart

Faith Ward has been named the newest member of the elite group.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is sworn in at public ceremony

Mamdani is New York’s first Muslim mayor and a 34-year-old socialist.

First, the frogs died. Then people got sick

Washington Post: New research uncovers a surprising link between nature and human health.

From sawmilling to $2b empire: The Kiwi rich-listers most people have never heard of

The Richardson Group's wealth was reported at $600 million this year.

'Positive signs': Aussie cricket great shares hopeful update on former teammate in coma

Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn is battling meningitis in Brisbane hospital.

Police investigate two deaths in separate houses on the same Bay of Plenty property

A 50-year-old man has been arrested and charged over a woman's death.

Manhunt for truck driver involved in Anthony Joshua crash

Police say the SUV was speeding before a tyre burst sent it into the truck.

ManageMyHealth CEO says cyber attackers hadn’t ‘taken everything’ after data breach affects 100k people

The company says about 7% of its users were caught in the breach.

The Ex-Files: How do I get my share of the family home when it’s owned by a trust?

OPINION: Five of the top columns of the year from The Ex-Files with Jeremy Sutton.

Second deadly avalanche hits Spanish Pyrenees

Rescuers using dogs and shovels found a body in Spain's Bielsa Valley.

Tributes flow after death of actress who was a star of 1970s Aussie TV

Candy Raymond worked in film and television, and quickly became a household name.

Exclusive: Big name set to miss ASB Classic

The world No 90 has been struggling with injury over the past few months.

Trump blames bruised hand on aspirin, denies falling asleep

Trump, 79, insists his health is 'perfect' despite visible bruising and fatigue.

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Friday, January 2, 2025

Morning Headlines | Fire rips through Swiss ski bar and Manage My Health hit by major cyber incident | Friday, January 2, 2025

Nigeria police detain driver in fatal Anthony Joshua car crash

The driver is in custody in Ogun state as investigators pursue inquiries.

Fresh clashes kill six in Iran cost-of-living protests

Six people reportedly killed as protests spread beyond Tehran to three cities.

Rod Emmerson’s cartoons: Week of December 29 - January 4

Rod Emmerson's take on the week.

Three critically injured in crash, highway blocked

The crash comes as the holiday road toll reaches five after death early on New Year's Day.

About 40 dead, 115 injured in Swiss ski resort bar fire

About 40 people are dead after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.

Russia blames Ukraine for deadly New Year drone strike

Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine is '10%' away from a peace deal.

Israel confirms ban on 37 NGOs in Gaza

Israel says the NGOs refused to share full staff details to clear security checks.

Too much screen time? Experts suggest stepping back this summer

Dr Lena Waizenegger says summer breaks are the ideal time to try a digital detox.

‘Losing Sakura has shattered our family’: Uncle’s plea to holiday drivers

Two-year-old Sakura Hall died after the car she was in hit a parked truck.

Merchant urges IRD crackdown as firewood sales soar on Facebook

'I counted 60 in Napier, Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay on Marketplace in one day.'