Latest New Zealand news

Wellington commuters to get contactless payment options in 2026

Wellington will move to contactless on buses and trains before March 30.

All Blacks woes, netball chaos and Lawson’s rise to F1 fame

Three heavy All Blacks defeats have piled pressure on Scott Robertson.

Patched gang member beaten for hours with various weapons, including a child's bike

The victim, 28, had serious injuries, including a collapsed lung and broken bones.

Watch: Christchurch school blows away audience with Kiwi song medley

Students sang a te reo Māori version of Crowded House’s Don’t Dream It’s Over.

Catherine Wedd confirmed as National’s Tukituki candidate for 2026 election

First-term MP Catherine Wedd will be asking for another three years in the seat.

All Blacks defeats, Netball NZ turmoil, Liam Lawson: The year in sport

Today on The Front Page we have the NZ Herald’s Christopher Reive and Nathan Limm to take us through some of 2025’s highs and lows.

Staff infection: Gastro outbreak at Canterbury school after shared morning tea

Staff fell ill after a shared morning tea at the Canterbury school.

Cocaine worth nearly $16m seized from container at Port of Tauranga

Some of the 1kg bricks were branded with a hamster wearing a crown.

Afternoon quiz: Which element is named after the Greek word for 'hidden one'?

Test your brains with the Herald's afternoon quiz.

New Russell McVeagh boss bets on AI and Queenstown growth

Russell McVeagh’s new Queenstown office has already exceeded first-year goals.

Tongariro blaze grows to 322ha as fire crews brace for days of battle

The fire has grown to 322ha and is only about 25% contained.

The Country: Lorin Clarke on her dad John, aka Fred Dagg

Lorin Clarke, Andrew Hoggard, Grant McCallum, Richard Loe, and Phil Duncan.

'Scared to death': Swab 'half the size of an arm' left in new mum for six weeks

Health NZ has now brought in new swab-count rules and orange wristbands for patients.

'Bittersweet': Open Farms is taking a break in 2026

Since 2020, Open Farms has drawn 20,000 visitors to 153 farm events.