Afternoon Headlines | Friday, May 15, 2026

Ponsonby bar Jolene apologises over Temu country bar dig

A country-themed Auckland bar has apologised for having a dig at a rival venue, blaming the comments on mounting pressures faced by the hospitality sector. Video / Jolene

The real story of AI isn't innovation. It's power.

Author and journalist Karen Hao speaks to The Front Page about her book Empire of AI and the real cost of the AI arms race.

Luxury Ferrari crashes near Newmarket dealership

A luxury Ferrari crashed near a Newmarket dealership this afternoon. Video / Supplied

Afternoon Headlines | Friday, May 15, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | One child dies in house fire, and Taiwan remains top issue in US-China negotiations | Friday, May 15, 2026. Video / NZ Herald, AFP, Getty Images

Mount Maunganui woman’s cat fatally injured with gunshot

Ragdoll cat Clyde, 3, was shot with a gun near his Mount Maunganui north home. Video / Rosalie Crawford

Madonna, BTS, Shakira to headline the first World Cup final halftime show

For the first time, the football World Cup final in July will feature a star-studded Super Bowl-style halftime show. Video / Video Elephant

Delta Goodrem - Eclipse | Australia | Official Music Video

Australian singer Delta Goodrem after performing her song Eclipse in the second Eurovision Song Contest semifinal. Video / Eurovision Song Contest

Matthew Perry drug dealer gets two year prison sentence

A man has been sentenced to two years in prison for connecting Matthew Perry to ketamine dealer Jasveen Sangha, and delivering a fatal dose of the drug to Perry’s assistant.

The three key parenting styles: Which one are you, and what's wrong with it? | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Parenting specialist Nathan Wallis reveals which parenting style is best for your kids. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Fatal Christchurch house fire

A child is dead and six people are injured after a house fire in Mairehau, Christchurch, last night. Video / NZ Herald

Would you be a spy? NZSIS is hiring | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Former SIS intelligence officer Dr Kit Bennetts explains life as a spy. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

'We stuffed up': Newspaper apologises after publishing fabricated AI quotes | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Media Insider's Shayne Currie speaks about RNZ's financial performance, and Westport News' front-page apology for publishing fabricated AI quotes. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Synlait churns leaders, Air NZ burns cash, and US markets love Cerebras - so far | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Synlait board seeks a seventh CEO in 5 years and an independent director. Will Air NZ need a cap raise? Cerebras soars almost 70% on Nasdaq listing. / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Sports talk: The one controversial All Whites pick | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Herald football reporter Michael Burgess and sports editor Winston Aldworth debate the worth of having veteran Tommy Smith in the World Cup squad. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Your weekend weather outlook with Heather Keats | Ryan Bridge TODAY

MetService's Heather Keats reveals how the weather is looking where you are, Friday, May 15. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

'You're playing the race card': National and Labour duke it out over immigration | Ryan Bridge TODAY

National Minister Paul Goldsmith and Labour MP Willie Jackson talk all things politics. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Air New Zealand's boss talks $400m loss, redundancies and fuel prices | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Nikhil Ravishankar reveals what's next for the airline following grim financial results. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Institute of Financial Professionals gala awards - Garth Bray 2degrees Wrap | Herald NOW Business

"The bottom line is still profit and loss, but to get from good to great to excellent, leaders need to be thinking about a lot more than just the P&L." Video | Herald NOW Business

China's leader hails US relations, warns Trump on Taiwan | Ryan Bridge TODAY

NZ China Council executive director explains what's to come after the high stakes meeting. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Kiwi card game challenger eyes $100m with Flesh and Blood | Herald NOW Business

Herald Now Business host Garth Bray discusses Legend Story Studios' plans to build a global card game powerhouse. Video | Herald NOW Business

Global rates still drive NZ borrowing costs | Herald NOW Business

Craigs Investment Partners' Andrew Ede discusses how global interest rates continue to shape NZ's rates outlook. Video | Herald NOW Business

NZ Herald Sport Headlines | Friday May 15, 2026

Sport Headlines | Erika Fairweather breaks her own 200-metre freestyle record and Luke Metcalf signs three-year NRL league deal with the Dragons | Friday May 15, 2026

NZ Herald Headlines | Friday May 15, 2026

Morning Headlines | US and China leaders promise to play nice and Air New Zealand continues to see impacts of Iran war | Friday May 15, 2026

Synlait CEO resigns as company names acting successor | Herald NOW Business

BusinessDesk's Riley Kennedy discusses Synlait's leadership reset. Video | Herald NOW Business

Air NZ downgrade: Disappointing, but reflects difficult external pressures | Herald NOW Business

... that said, the situation raises broader questions around management decision‑making and capital allocation. Rickey Ward - Jb Were. Video | Herald NOW Business

MetService morning weather update: May 15, 2026

MetService morning weather update: May 15, 2026. Video / MetService

Icehouse Ventures lands key backer for its new, $150m Growth Fund III

CEO Robbie Paul on Fund I and II's hits and misses and the 2026 landscape facing his company's latest effort.

Nurses say stroke patients left in wet beds as chronic understaffing exposed

Forty nurses and healthcare assistants signed a letter warning of danger to patients. Video / Anna Heath

All Whites World Cup squad: Analysing the final squad

There were few surprises but a couple of interesting calls as coach Darren Bazeley named his final 26-man squad. Video / Sylvie Whinray

Western Bay of Plenty city and regional deal signed

The Government has signed a city and regional deal with the Western Bay of Plenty. Video / Bijou Johnson

Bridge or tunnel? Auckland’s second harbour crossing decision looms

University of Auckland senior lecturer in urban planning, Dr Timothy Welch is with The Front Page to unpack the politics, the planning, and the choices ahead.

Gabriel Medina looks ahead to the World Surf League event in Raglan

Three-time world champion Gabrial Medina comes into the event at Raglan's Manu Bay as world No 1.

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Thursday May 14, 2026

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Thursday May 14, 2026

Nicola Willis speaks on Chris Hipkins' comments about Aucklanders' views on Covid-19 lockdowns

The Labour leader said the city's residents have turned their minds to the future. Video / Mark Mitchell

Police relaunch appeal into 1991 cold case

Police renew appeals into the 1991 disappearance of Andrew Maaka

All Whites team announcement

All Whites team announcement

NZ Herald Live: Chris Hipkins speak to media

Chris Hipkins and speak to media

Will Tommy Smith get a world cup call up? | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Newstalk ZB football commentator Jason Pine runs us through his predicted 26-man All Whites world cup squad, and the names to watch globally. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Philippines gunfire

Shots heard at Philippine Senate as lawmaker wanted by ICC holds out. Video / AFP

Immigration: Is it really a problem here? | Ryan Bridge TODAY

The daily panel, BBM Motivation's Dave Letele and Parenting specialist Jo Robertson, discuss the headlines of the day. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY