Today's latest news

Beach days ahead: Summer isn't over despite thunderstorms, flooding

Recent flooding in Northland means saturated ground may worsen new flooding.

Cape Brett hut airlift and slips force DoC closures in peak summer period

Nine trampers paid for their own rescue flight after slips cut off Cape Brett.

Heavy rain, thunderstorms and flooding: Where is summer?

Niwa principal scientist, Chris Brandolino is with us to take us through what to expect, and when we might be able to put the sheets on the line.

Seymour says Epsom residents ‘not anti-intensification' but question tall buildings over their pools

He says it's become a 'highly politicised' issue, which he acknowledges contributing to.

Post-holiday debt? Westpac launches special consolidation interest rate

More than a quarter of Kiwis are concerned holiday spending will cause financial stress.

'All is well': Colleen Hoover confirms she no longer has cancer

The author now blames stress, poor diet and no exercise for the cancer scare.

Mortgage fraud: Second man sentenced over $2.8m home loan scam

Man who left the country was charged when he returned in 'complex mortgage fraud case'.

'Incredibly popular': Northland mourns much-loved teacher and sportsman

Harry Darkins taught in Whangārei for 14 years and recently moved to Auckland to teach.

Afternoon quiz: What was Scott Robertson's winning percentage as All Blacks coach?

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

Single-vehicle smash: Driver in serious condition after Hastings road closure

One driver in a serious condition has been taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital.

Heavy snow in US strands drivers in 100-vehicle crash

Up to 40 trucks were among the vehicles involved in the incident on the I-196 corridor.

MetService severe weather warning: January 20-21

MetService severe weather warning: January 20-21. Video / MetService

As Trump goes to Davos, the world faces a ‘new reality’

A Trump-shaped wrecking ball is swinging towards the World Economic Forum.

Badly managed 20yo in care home gained 20kg in six months, then died

It was found that the care given to the man 'severely departed' from accepted standards.

Onehunga shooting: Police seize getaway van after shots fired through front door

Shots were fired through the closed front door before a group fled in the van.

NZ agencies have eye on ‘largest solar radiation storm in more than 20 years’

Nema says the storm reached New Zealand on Tuesday morning without major impact.

The Country: Why this economist says 2026 will be better than 2025

Cameron Bagrie, Dominic Jones, Tom Young, Jo Luxton and Tom Martin feature on the show.

Northern lights may be visible across swathes of US thanks to geomagnetic storm

Aurora could be seen with the naked eye as far south as California and Texas.

How parents’ ultimatum convinced Kiwi broadcaster to end Olympic dream

'We don’t want you to do this any more. You've got so much more life ahead of you.'

'Be careful': Eddie Jones' questions value of player feedback after Razor’s ABs departure

The Aussie has weighed in on Scott Robertson's shock departure as All Blacks coach.

Five Melbourne neighbourhoods to eat, drink and explore like a local

From Richmond’s wine bars to Sydney Rd’s op shops, each area has its own vibe.

Body found on rocks at Long Bay Beach referred to coroner

Police were called to the North Shore beach at 3.50pm yesterday.

Player boost: New Zealand Open confirms $2m purse and pay for missed cuts

The 105th New Zealand Open will offer a $2m total prize purse in 2026.

‘Like an earthquake’: How 40 people died in a Spanish train crash

New York Times: Passengers broke windows with emergency hammers to escape.

'Absolutely devastated for Rob': Breakers lose key starter to ACL injury

MRI scans in Melbourne confirmed a ruptured ACL in his right knee.

Invercargill councillors reject claims they failed former Mayor Tim Shadbolt

Former Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark disputes claims made by Shadbolt's partner.

Why I stole my mum's only chance at a business class flight

An unexpected feud led to Melissa Nightingale swiping her mum's business class spot.

'I will put you in a trunk': Hoodie worn by man held over suspicious death

Kruz Dean Wanser was arrested four days after Margaret Pennington's body was found.

'Still think I'm one of the best': Black Caps star quashes retirement talk

Lockie Ferguson is the same age as Trent Boult when he retired from internationals.

I ate like Trump for a week. Like RFK jnr, I don’t understand how the man is still alive

Telegraph: 'Unhinged' doesn't begin to cover it, writes human guinea pig Gareth Davies.

Hannah Elliott: What I learned 'driving' a Mercedes with next-level AI

OPINION: Nvidia’s car tech is forecast to be a $5b automotive business by 2025.

Nvidia's robotaxi partnership with Mercedes

AI giant Nvidia revealed a new automotive strategy at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Video / NVIDIA

Yellow leggings helped Tolaga Bay cray fishermen survive capsize

The men clung to two empty fuel tanks for seven hours.

'Very important tool': Hornet tracking technology proving effective

Small radio trackers imported from the Netherlands help find queens, workers and nests.

I’m the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. This is something I thought I’d never have to write

New York Times opinion: International law is either universal or meaningless.

Hamilton sprintcar champion’s secret to rare double title

Hamilton driver Daniel Thomas claimed his second New Zealand sprintcar title in Cromwell.

'Light has appeared': Crucial sector returns to growth after 21-month slump

The services sector is in expansion for the first time in 21 months.

'Quick and durable death': Street poster pioneer terminally ill, weighs up assisted dying

The former Exponents manager helped build Christchurch's live music scene.

Seven dead in Kabul bombing as Isis targets Chinese workers

Isis has claimed the attack on the noodle bar in the Afghan capital which also wounded 13.

Hawke’s Bay swaps hot start for cool, damp week

Heavy rain and strong winds are possible, but no thunderstorm risks are in place for HB.

'Can't quite believe it': Man wins $599,000 Christchurch house

Joe Leggat was given a box containing his prize ... keys to a new house.

Kiwi psychologist arrested over child sex material after FBI sting on professionals

Jeremy Tacon was allegedly identified after an FBI agent posed as a child sex predator.

Braddick shines in big shearing weekend

Eketahuna shearer Hemi Braddick is closer to world champs after his first national win.

'Endless attacks from my parents': Brooklyn Beckham says 'controlling' Victoria and David tried to ruin marriage

The 26-year-old has finally broken his silence on the feud in a bombshell statement.

Icebergs on the Elbe: Spectacular ice blocks clog up German river

Floes have accumulated at Geesthacht, near the river-port of Hamburg.

Heavy rain and severe gales lash Auckland, Northland and Coromandel

Hundreds without power as heavy rain and severe gales lash Auckland, Northland and Coromandel.

'Much needed' $50m new mental health unit to open by mid-year

A health service provider says the extra beds still fall short of current demand.

Gregor Paul: The process to find new ABs coach and why this time will be different

OPINION: All Blacks coach chaos shows NZR must rip up its flawed hiring playbook.

How weight-loss drugs could save American airlines billions

New York Times: Airlines have a history of seeking ways to reduce the weight of aircraft.

These are NZ’s 10 best surf beaches, but which will you vote as the ultimate winner?

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

Doctor who raised alarm on mushroom killer shuts clinic to avoid 'financial oblivion'

Chris Webster's rant calling Patterson a 'disturbed sociopathic nut bag' led to sanctions.

If his high-stakes legal battle weighed on Harry, he gave little away

Harry joins six other claimants accusing Associated Newspapers of unlawful snooping.

Trump has just handed Putin the prize he's always wanted

The President has put tariffs on allies over their resistance to US plans for Greenland.

Why Trump will beat divided Europe and weak Britain over Greenland

US ‘escalation dominance’ makes it near-impossible to counter plans to seize the territory

Tony Brown locked in with Springboks as All Blacks hunt for new coach

Former All Black is contracted to the Springboks through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

NZ Herald comments: The stories open for discussion today

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

'It will be brutal': Mel Homer to receive stem cell transplant from anonymous French donor

The Auckland broadcaster faces 100 days of near isolation after surgery.

Fletcher to sell construction arm to global infrastructure group for $315m

Around 2300 staff will move to Vinci Construction if the sale is completed.

Parents juggle school device costs and screen time safety risks

Researchers now warn Kiwi children's digital skills are declining, despite heavy use.

Stan Walker to headline NRL All Stars double-header in Hamilton

The All Stars double-header returns to New Zealand for only the second time.

Syrian deal on Kurdish rights strains after Sharaa-Trump call and fragile truce

The deal hands Deir Ezzor and Raqqa to Damascus and ends Kurdish control there.

Stop 'appeasing' bully Trump, Amnesty chief tells Europe

‘We need much more resistance’ says Agnes Callamard, in Davos for World Economic Forum.

Can cattle use tools? A brown cow shows how

Veronika's flexible, multi-purpose tool use has previously been seen only in apes.

Iran warns protesters who joined 'riots' to surrender

Rights groups report at least 3428 protesters killed amid the crackdown.

Daron Parton’s cartoons: January 1 - 31

Our cartoonist Daron Parton shares his view on current events.

Chile wildfires rage for third day, entire towns wiped out

Residents had moved away from the coast after 2010 tsunami only to be hit by wave of fire.

10-year-old in Porirua celebrates NCEA and Cambridge success

The Porirua Year 6 student sat NCEA exams usually taken by teenagers.

'It's very exciting': Julian Dennison celebrates private wedding with loved ones

Dennison recently starred in the Hollywood films Y2K and How to Train Your Dragon.