Today's latest news

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.

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

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.'

2025 road toll: Grieving mum calls for tougher drug‑driving laws

Nationwide roadside drug testing will not be in place until mid-2026.

Exactly what happens to your body when you’re sunburnt

Telegraph: Here’s what really happens below the skin’s surface.

Herald Hat-trick sports quiz: January 2

Can you get a hat-trick?

Star aligning for Crocetti’s shot at our elite sprinting double

The $550,000 TAB Telegraph is one of New Zealand's most important horse races.

'I loved it': Veteran truckie reflects on 30 years on the road

Terry Hobart's memories of trucking life were popular on The Country in May 2025.

Best of Glenn Dwight: Top dog? My search for a new best friend

OPINION: Glenn's dog replacement search was one of his most popular reads in 2025.

Rule changes we would love to see in sport: Part 1

Sedate cyclists, old-fashioned rucking, fast cars and baseball's big hitter are analysed.

'My final retirement': Robin Briant reflects on 60-year med career spanning continents

It took Robin Briant over 25 years to finish retiring, after a few false starts.

'I'm a pauper': Controversial NZ pension deduction rule saves Govt half a billion a year

Jim Wolfson says he can't afford to meet his grandchildren due to the deductions.

Matthew Hooton: Could 2026 finally make Winston Peters Prime Minister?

OPINION: Winston Peters now ranks a clear third as preferred Prime Minister with voters.

Harder the better for Pinseeker in feature at huge picnic meeting

Today's Omakau meeting is one of New Zealand's most famous once-a-year racing events.

A key to ageing could be in a long-overlooked body part

This finding could reshape IVF while opening a frontier in women's health.

La Dorada faces moment of reckoning in challenging Levin Classic

Last season's champion juvenile filly needs to step up at Trentham.

Card-cloning trade: Devices built for petrol and parking machines found in air fryers and laptops

Seven people have been prosecuted for card skimming in the past five years.

The most stressful thing I found about moving from the UK to New Zealand

A dual British-Kiwi writer shares his first four months living in Auckland.

'Deeply connected': Planting project unites community and tourism

The Ōkārito initiative has planted more than 6000 native trees.

Morning quiz: Jim Carrey portrayed which Batman villain?

Test your brains with the Herald's morning quiz.

'Great promise': Young inventor's wool pod wows at Fieldays

The Shear Space, invented by Maddie Foote, was a widely read story from June 2025.

Jessica Cameron’s journey from student to shepherd

Jessica's inspirational story was a well-read yarn on The Country in 2025.

Editorial: Why does ‘Aotearoa’ trigger such backlash?

OPINION: The reaction deserves scrutiny. Language rarely triggers outrage without reason.

Letters: Honours, MMP party lists, and the climate

OPINION: Are officials blind to the major social issues unfolding in our city?

More than just being well: Teens and Gen Z redefining what it means to be healthy

OPINION: Young people now fold friendships, beauty and school success into being healthy.

Queen pays back Marsh’s faith with Rich Hill Mile magic

The high-priced mare grabs her biggest victory in the Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie.

The price honeybees may pay for biofuel

Conversions of grassland to corn, soybeans have impact on honeybees and pollination.

Sterling K Brown: Marriage takes ‘constant rededication’ and hard work

The actor and Ryan Michelle Bathe married in 2006 and share two sons.

Eastern region rescues soar as beach swimmers ignore flags, patrol hours

Surf lifeguards have carried out 93 rescues since October 25 in the Eastern region.