Today's latest news

Young cricketer remembered as 'treasured student' after sudden death

The Motueka boy died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 7.

‘Brain dead’ woman in India wakes up after ambulance hits pothole

Her husband had told his family to prepare for her last rites.

Cause of fire at University of Auckland revealed

The university said the fire was believed to have started in a light fixture.

‘AI-first company’: Atlassian axes 10% of staff in global shake-up

About 30% of the 1600 job cuts affect staff based in Australia.

Making a splash: Dive-bombing stars to watch at Manu World Champs finals

Only 130 competitors remain in the chase for $40,000 in cash and prizes.

Bay of Plenty mayors back Rotorua's homelessness taskforce call

Move-on orders are being criticised as mayors debate homelessness solutions.

'Gone through the roof': Hamilton foodbank faces food parcel cap amid soaring demand

Working couples and homeowners now make up about 43% of those seeking help.

The fallout: How this war has changed the world

New York Times: From travel to strategic ties, the impact is far wider than the Mideast.

Air NZ is cutting flights. When should we start to worry?

Aviation journalist Grant Bradley is with The Front Page to take a look at the current situation, and crises past – and whether air travel will ever be the same.

Christchurch suburb cleared over 'high-risk explosive substance'

Cordons are now being lifted around the affected area.

Job cuts to the heart of Wattie's: 'People are gutted'

Morale at the factory where Wattie’s empire began is the lowest a long-time worker's seen.

Strong or weak? How Trump picks his battles

New York Times: US leader consistently makes allowances for countries he sees as strong.

Green MPs suffer drops in draft list, Paul ranked high as party hypes Māori candidates

Many existing members are in spots that would put their return to Parliament at risk.

Wellington cocktail bar to close after 14 years

Crumpet's last day of trading will be March 28.

Tauranga Airport: Flights cancelled due to volcanic ash cloud from Whakaari/White Island

Ash cloud causes at least 19 flights in and out of the airport to be scratched.

More than 1000 kids give it heaps at Hastings triathlon

The Weet-Bix Tryathlon is in its 33rd year and has become a staple event for Kiwi kids.

Killer’s dark past under another name exposed – what the jury never heard

Rodger's past crimes include exploiting a 14-year-old girl in prostitution and drugs.

White House takes first step towards permanent fix for illegal tariffs

Trump is targeting more than a dozen major trading partners.

Hawke’s Bay human trafficker Joseph Matamata loses sentence bid

The Court of Appeal upheld Joseph Matamata’s full 11-year jail term.

'Health hazard': Anger at delay in removal of dumped asbestos near city water source

A resident is furious about a delay in removing asbestos from near a Tauranga stream.

NZ Herald comments: The stories open for discussion today

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

Debt or taxable income? Govt watering down look into the billions companies lend shareholders

Nicola Willis details the Government's response to controversial Inland Revenue proposals.

From Feilding to Whanganui: Where $2m homes are starting to appear

Analyst Nick Goodall says these top-end homes act as their own market.

Waikato mourns civic and academic leader Asad Mohsin

Mohsin guided Hamilton through grief after the 2019 Christchurch mosque attack.

Afternoon quiz: In which US state was the popular series Breaking Bad predominantly set?

Test your brain with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

How fossil fuel disruptions lead to booms in solar and batteries

Solar installations globally reached a record 655 gigawatts last year.

'Motionless': Residents rush to help after body found

Witness Peter Huang said police told him the man, in his 50s, had a heart attack.

Welcome to Wairoa – this new training hub aims to attract frontline health staff

'People are dying out of town, families are imploding trying to look after loved ones.'

'It was hell': A chef’s past abuse haunts the world’s top-rated restaurant

NY Times: Dozens of former workers say they were physically and psychologically attacked.

Free e-bike lock-and-charge hubs roll out on Hawke’s Bay trails

Locky Dock initiative costs ratepayers nothing and gives e-bikers a worry-free ride.

Investigators appointed over Wellington sewage disaster, answers months away

The public have still not been told what caused the catastrophic failure.

The Country: Chris Hipkins's rural credentials

On today: Ben Picton, Chris Hipkins, Tracy Brown, Jamie Cunningham and Chris Russell.

Watchdog finds ex-MP misled probe into his council role, 'excessive' spending on house reno

An investigation found the ex-council CEO made misleading docs. He said he 'panicked'.

Gregor Paul: What the Crusaders bust-up and media row say about team in trouble

OPINION: The Crusaders have banned media from filming the end of training sessions.

'Body in the boot' trial: Man guilty of murdering, dismembering Christchurch father

The trial for Michael Rodger, accused of murdering Richard Leman in 2023, has finished.

'You wouldn’t turn that down': Umaga 'honoured' with links to All Blacks role

Tana Umaga has emerged as a contender to join Dave Rennie's coaching ranks.

Forecast wet weather halts Ngongotahā highway works

The road is closed for work from 9am on Mondays to 2.30pm on Fridays, for about six weeks.

How the Iran war has become an environmental disaster

New York Times: Oil depot fires and burning ships cause impacts in war zone and beyond.

Audrey Young: Govt need to start being realistic about possibility of fuel shortages

OPINION: Govt's line on 'healthy' fuel supply risk leaving public unready for shortages.

Weather squeeze: Two systems set to collide for howling wet end to week

Weather warnings have been issued for both ends of the country.

NZ Herald Headlines | Thursday March 12, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | Talleys caught up in Middle East shipping disruptions and unprecedented times for aviation | Thursday March 12, 2026

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi questions whether her own party can be trusted

The Te Tai Tokerau MP was reinstated this week by Te Pāti Māori.

'A lot of long nights': Hawke's Bay students prepare for shot at global robotics stardom

We stand on the precipice of a robot-reliant future. These are the kids who'll build them.

The surprising health benefits of natural light exposure

Washington Post: Even an extra 5 to 10 minutes can help your sleep, mood and more.

Baby left in shopping cart in 1972 reunites with women who found her

Rita Marshall and Darlene Gilleland found a baby in Ohio hours after she was born.

The surprises awaiting Kiwi netballers across the Tasman

Nine current and former Silver Ferns will play in Australia's Super Netball this year.

Janet and Jermaine Jackson clash over new MJ biopic: Report

Jermaine's son is portraying his uncle Michael in the highly anticipated movie.

Middle East war: Latest on the global economic fallout

Iran said it was ready for a long war of attrition that would 'destroy' the world economy.

ComCom investigating potential Hawke’s Bay-based pyramid scheme

Commerce Commission warns against "too good to be true" schemes.

Music, War and Stolen Children: Ukrainian-Canadian group 'Daughters of Donbas' perform in Auckland

Lead by war correspondent Marichka, 'Daughters on Donbas' are on tour with the ultimate goal of performing at the Hague. Video / NZ Herald

Triple murderer in court accused of killing UK child killer Ian Huntley

Anthony Russell, 43, is already serving a whole life term for three murders.

Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi speaks to media

Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi speaks to media. Video / RNZ

Kane Williamson turns low blow into big business idea

Kane Williamson has launched Cover, a high-tech sports protection brand.

Emails show scramble to summarise Epstein file info on Trump and others

New York Times: It was an early sign of DoJ's effort to prepare the records for release.

Images: High-flying day one at Crankworx Rotorua

Ryan Gilchrist claimed a third straight Rotorua Air DH title on Mr Black.

MetService severe weather update: March 12

MetService severe weather update: Heavy rain watches and risk of thunderstorms. Video / MetService

'My heart, my heritage': Kalyn Ponga on switching allegiance to the Kiwis

The IRL unanimously approved the 27-year-old fullback's switch to the Kiwis.

One of NZ sport's biggest powerbrokers has resigned

Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills is stepping down.

Gang tangi focus: Police step up presence for BoP funeral procession

Police expect large numbers of gang members travelling from across New Zealand.

Hometown hero excited to hear Napier crowd's Super roar

With Dave Rennie now in charge of the ABs, Devan Flanders knows there’s an opportunity.

'Full pace on design' – New World Victoria Park boss on rebuild

Ponsonby/Herne Bay/St Marys Bay locals fume about what appears to them to be a dead site.

Psychedelics beat nicotine patches in study to help smokers quit, study says

A dose of psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, was effective, study says.

Shopkeeper chases masked teens after K Rd superette raid attempt, 12yo in getaway car

Two 17yos fled police after getting out of the car, which was driven off by a youngster.

Annette Brosnan: Napier council leadership breakdown extraordinary, deeply concerning

OPINION: These are far from normal political theatrics, or the mayor 'just doing his job'.

'Deeply sad day': Church mourns beloved leader killed in Auckland cafe crash

Sarah Clark had served on Windsor Park Baptist Church staff for seven years.

'We’re proud': Couple win Greater Wellington farm environment award

Clarence and Elise Stolte say nothing is more important to their business than people.

Kneecap rapper wins new court victory over ‘witch hunt’ terror charge

The Irish punk-rap group have faced concert bans abroad over alleged militant links.

Lebanon village wants Army protection from Israel, Hezbollah

Christian-majority Qlayaa buried their priest after he was killed by Israeli shelling.