Today's latest news

NZ’s best 10 city beaches have been named, but which will you vote as your winner?

Voting is open for the country's top beaches across five categories. Which will you pick?

How Brooklyn blew up Brand Beckham from within

Brooklyn, 26, shared an 821-word Instagram statement on his estrangement.

Netflix sweetens $142b offer for Warner Bros in Hollywood bid battle

Warner Bros directors have unanimously backed the revised all-cash Netflix deal.

Red heavy rain warnings issued for parts of North Island

Tropical storm to hammer North Island with 250mm rain as state of emergency declared in Whangārei. Video / NZ Herald

New chief executive signals fresh start as Toi Ohomai regains independence

Toi Ohomai returned to local decision making on January 1.

NZ Herald comments: The stories open for discussion today

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

World stocks sink, gold hits high on escalating trade war fears

Trump Greenland tariffs threat rattles global stocks as gold hits record.

Lucy Letby will not be charged with murder of more babies

Prosecutors say evidence did not meet the test for murder or attempted murder.

Risky title shot could launch Masson into world contention

Karim Maatalla has knocked out all 11 of his opponents in his victories.

Back to school - School lunches

Back to school: What should go in your child’s lunchbox - and what shouldn’t.

With Love, Meghan not renewed for season three at Netflix: report

Netflix is not planning any further full seasons of "With Love, Meghan".

Scientists plan deep-sea expedition to probe 'dark oxygen'

British marine ecologist Andrew Sweetman will use landers capable of diving 11km down.

Music industry rocked by death of founding member of Midnight Oil

The 70-year-old drummer died after nearly three years with pancreatic cancer.

'Unnecessary level of violence': 16yo charged after shop worker stabbed in Pokémon card theft

The employee was taken to hospital with moderate injuries.

Kiwi doctor branded a 'rapist', 'convicted paedophile' despite cleared conviction two decades ago

Over the past week, posts have been rampant on social media about the GP.

Greenland leader tells people to prepare for possible invasion

Jens-Frederik Nielsen urged households to stock food for five days.

Carney tells Davos: Canada stands by Greenland, urges allies to unite against ‘coercion’

Canada PM says: Middle powers must together resist coercion from aggressive superpowers.

Rod Emmerson’s cartoons: Week of January 19 - 25

Rod Emmerson's take on the week.

Former Speaker the first MP to confirm retirement ahead of 2026 election

The 64-year-old former Speaker will step down on Waitangi Day.

Massive solar storm fires up aurora in New Zealand skies

Space weather monitors recorded a strong Kp8 geomagnetic disturbance.

Woman, 19, found dead on K'gari surrounded by dingoes identified

The Canadian was last seen heading for a pre-dawn swim at Seventy Five Mile Beach.

'Win back the country's biggest city': Hipkins set for first speech of election year

The Labour Party is holding its annual caucus retreat in Auckland today.

Israel begins demolitions at UNRWA headquarters in east Jerusalem

UN officials say the demolition violates UN immunity and international law.

'Devastated': Home owners win payout after grocery delivery truck destroys archway tree branch on leafy property

Tribunal says driver lacked reasonable care; owners sought $20k for lost 'wow' factor.

'I was there': Wedding guest comments on Brooklyn Beckham's claims

Brooklyn and Nicola renewed their vows three years later to make new memories.

NZ Herald Headlines | Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Morning Headlines | More heavy rain on the way and Canadian PM's warning at World Economic Forum | Wednesday, January 21, 2026

David Beckham breaks silence in wake of Brooklyn's social media post

Brooklyn, 26, has sworn off reconciling, claiming his parents controlled him.

‘Living nightmare’: Mara Wilson’s AI child abuse image warning to parents

Wilson says fetish sites Photoshopped her child image into pornography.

'He's losing money': Stressed investor lists six Viaduct apartments at less than half price

Vendor prepared to take a hit as he offloads his entire portfolio for $1.8m.

Yoyoso parent in receivership with $11.6m debts, repayments unlikely

Receivers say unsecured creditors are unlikely to receive any repayment.

From tap shoes to tackle: How a 9-year-old joined her family’s marlin club

Hadley also juggles school, dance and dreams of racing speedway ministocks.

Tony Alexander: Why a weaker Kiwi dollar may derail your move to Australia

What the growing exchange gap means for migrants and salaries.

Almost half of Kyiv without heat, power, after Russian attack

Russia launched 339 drones and 34 missiles at energy sites across Ukraine.

Family of Anthony Joshua questions if trial over crash 'worth it'

Driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, now faces multiple reckless driving charges.

EU vows 'unflinching' response to Trump's Greenland gambit

Greenland's Jens-Frederik Nielsen warns even military conflict is possible.

UK approves plans for Chinese mega-embassy in London

UK ministers insist security services have built in measures to manage spying risks.

Trump rants at 'act of great stupidity' as UK deal hands over islands with joint US military base

The base has hosted US operations from the Cold War to B-2 strikes on Yemen.

Osaka steals show with jellyfish inspired outfit at Aussie Open

Osaka was clutching a white parasol and wearing a matching wide-brimmed hat and veil.

Ex-Bell Gully solicitor raises $99m for AI start-up

IBM and Uber have joined the list of blue-chip customers.

The impossible job: What’s it like being a sports chief executive?

Rugby, cricket and netball all head to 2026 without permanent chief executives.

McCullum's future in jeopardy after Ashes review and culture concerns

The England coach's role is under scrutiny, with off-field culture a concern.

Tauranga drivers stung with $487k in bus and cycle lane fines in a year

Hewletts Rd alone generated 2500 bus lane tickets worth $375,000 last year.

The man who saw school buses as vehicles for possibility

New York Times: Lucas Sweeten helps students transform school buses to help communities.

Six daily habits that will transform your health – free of charge

Telegraph: Experts share small, achievable changes that have a big impact.

Agents weigh in on what's driving Rotorua's average house price up

Rotorua's sitting at $680,755 after a 2.6% quarterly rise – one of NZ's biggest bumps.

France to again send weakened squad for All Blacks season opener

Fabien Galthie again faces the All Blacks with a largely second-string squad.

Herald Hat-trick sports quiz: January 21

Can you get a hat-trick?

Auckland FC stay perfect in OFC Pro League

Goalkeeper Blake Callinan's key saves kept Vanuatu United at bay.

Wynyard Quarter residents decry 'indefensible' 23-storey waterfront building plans

Plans submitted for fast-track refer to the project's height as being a marker and a plus.

Black Caps avoid 2024's mistake as T20 World Cup warm-up enters final phase

Five T20s against India serve as New Zealand's last pre-World Cup hit-out.

Morning quiz: What is Indiana Jones' actual first name?

Test your brains with the Herald's morning quiz.

Aussie sprinters look ready to rumble for Saturday's Railway

An Ellerslie track gallop suggests an Aussie speedster has settled in well.

Luxon's election date call looms as Nats head to high-stakes caucus retreat

Key marginal Christchurch seats like Banks Peninsula and Wigram are in play.

Sand mining firm investigated by DoC over protected coral

The firm is seeking Fast Track consent to mine sand at Bream Bay.

French Navy seizes five tonnes of cocaine from ship in South Pacific

The ship from Central America, was found on January 16, a French Polynesia official said.

Penguins bring forward breeding season as Antarctica warms

Scientists observed nesting zones between 2012 and 2022 using time-lapse cameras.

'I still feel heartbroken': Grieving mum fights for answers after daughter's ED death

Kiri Campbell says her daughter was left in a busy ED hallway before collapsing.

Editorial: Kiwis chasing Aussie dream might need a reality check before they go

OPINION: Big numbers are heading overseas but some Kiwis are coming back broke and broken.

Letters: Protest against NZ's Sikh community is historically ignorant

OPINION: A reader questions Christopher Luxon saying the recovery had already arrived.

A smaller version of the Sphere in Las Vegas is planned for Maryland

New York Times: 'Our focus has always been on creating a global network of Spheres.'

Trump has an off-ramp on Greenland. He doesn’t seem to want it

NY Times analysis: Trump is trying to pull off the largest land acquisition in US history.

Two pieces of puzzle remain for filly who will carry punters' hopes

Well Written will carry a fortune of punters' money on Saturday.

Napier CBD foot traffic drops as shoppers tighten belts amid other woes

'Foot traffic just seems to be a lot less.'

Best of Inside Economics: Voodoo economics - do lower taxes generate more revenue?

Liam Dann takes a deeper look at the logic behind low tax regimes and the options for NZ .

Police swarm Auckland’s K Rd, take person into custody

Witnesses say the driver rammed a police car before being stopped.

Police swarm Auckland's Karangahape Road.

Police say one person has been taken into custody. Video / Supplied

'I'm proud of everyone': Ellen supports Minneapolis protesters after Ice shooting

She said Minneapolis felt like 'the happiest city in America' while filming.

Waiheke helipad lodge for sale again as sellers aim to match $17.5m purchase price

"This is not a profit-making exercise in any way.”