Afternoon Headlines | Monday, May 18, 2026

Electrify Queenstown political debate

Party leaders and energy spokespeople square off in the first public political debate of the election year, featuring six parties. Video / Queenstown NZ

NZ Herald Live: Police hold stand-up after guilty verdict in Lyn Fleming murder trial

Police and family of murdered Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming are set to speak after Hayden Tasker was convicted. Video / RNZ

Can Peters' BNZ plan actually work, or is it just campaign theatre?

NZ Herald chief political reporter, Jamie Ensor joins The front Page to break down the latest announcements from NZ First and what's behind their recent surge in the polls.

Afternoon Headlines | Monday, May 18, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | Tribunal says Government is erasing its obligations, and WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DRC | Monday, May 18, 2026. Video / NZ Herald, AFP, Getty Images

National makes education announcement

Erica Stanford and Christopher Luxon make announcement on education

Tourist caught throwing big rock at endangered seal in Hawaii

When caught, the man reportedly told witnesses he did not care as he was "rich enough to pay the fines".

Italian outrage after Kiwi tourist caught into Rome’s Trevi Fountain | Ryan Bridge TODAY

A New Zealand tourist who dived into Rome’s Trevi Fountain has prompted Italians to demand increased fines and greater security. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Panel: Funny or embarrassing? | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Paul Spoonley and Carmen Vicelich are on the panel to talk about new school qualifications, reading real paper books again, and the Trevi Fountain diver. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Sweden's economic makeover | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Swedish economist Claes Hemberg on Sweden moving away from state welfare. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Market Outlook: When will global interest rates stop rising?| Ryan Bridge TODAY

Forsyth Barr's Zoe Wallis joins Herald NOW for a look at this week in the markets, Monday 18 May. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

'Dampener on the big win': Boyd's serious injury clouds Warriors' victory | Ryan Bridge TODAY

NZ Herald sports editor Winston Aldworth and journalist Chris Reive react to Tanah Boyd's injury, Auckland FC making the final, the World Surf League in Raglan, and Super Rugby.

NZ First on plans to buy BNZ: "Oligarchs dominate the banking sector" | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Shane Jones says there's a need for more economic "nationalism". Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Global mine boss says North Waihī mine biodiversity impacts are "net positive". | Ryan Bridge TODAY

OceanaGold CEO says the mine will generate "prosperity" for NZ for decades. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Run clubs trending. Garth Bray 2degrees wrap| Herald NOW Business

Trade stats show we imported $64.5 million dollars worth of running shoes last year, up from 45 and 49 million in the previous two years. Video | Herald NOW Business

Are we headed for stagflation - and are we running more? | Ryan Bridge TODAY

April PSI index could foreshadow stagflationary conditions; BusinessDesk's Wellness Inc series finds shoe imports rise as run clubs thrive. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

'Expect challenges to be robust': Auckland FC brush off Adelaide protests | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Auckland FC director of football Terry McFlynn says it's great for football in New Zealand for his team, and the Phoenix women, to be in grand finals. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Christopher Luxon in studio with Mike Hosking

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joins Mike Hosking in the studio on Newstalk ZB.

Fran O’Sullivan Herald Business Commentator, on Trump's state visit to Beijing | Herald NOW Business

Does NZ face a risk of being sidelined if the US and China move to a two-power trading arrangement that cuts across the rules smaller economies rely on? Video| Herald NOW Business

NZ Herald Sport Headlines | Monday, May 18, 2026

Sport Headlines | Andrew Webster fears a season-ending ACL knee injury for halfback Tanah Boyd and Jannik Sinner's three clay-court ATP Masters title sweep | Monday, May 18, 2026

Kiwi startup Marloo takes AI financial advice platform global| Herald NOW Business

Marloo's Shakeel Lala tells Herald NOW Business how it's building the future of AI-powered financial advice. Video | Herald NOW Business

NZ Herald Headlines | Monday, May 18, 2026

Morning Headlines | NZ First announces intention to buy out BNZ and National Party's plans to prohibit good character sentence discounts for sexual offenders | Monday, May 18, 2026

What was behind the selloff in offshore markets on Friday?| Herald NOW Business

Wall Street’s hard-charging risk rally just ran into a sharp increase in government bond yields. Shane Solly from Harbour Asset Management. Video | Herald NOW Business

MetService morning weather update: May 18, 2026

MetService morning weather update: May 18, 2026. Video / MetService

McSkimming case: 'Worst experience of my life' – ex-firearms boss hits out at police

After 22 years in the force, Angela Brazier got her certificate of service in the post.

What happens when you don't pay tax

Catriona Knapp joins Nadine Higgins on The Prosperity Project to discuss how to get ready for when the taxman comes a-knockin'.

Protestors and supporters show up for Ardern at the Auckland Writers Festival

Dame Jacinda Ardern is speaking at the Auckland Writers Festival this evening, following her book launch for A Different Kind of Power. Video / NZ Herald

Driver rams pedestrians and stabs passer-by in Italy

Police investigate the scene of a car ramming in the northern Italian city of Modena, after a driver injured eight people, four of them seriously. Video / AFP

Police officer overtaking on blind spot caught on dashcam

A police officer overtaking on a blind spot was caught on dashcam in Taupō. Video / Supplied

Tour De Hoods gathering in Onehunga

Tour De Hoods, the weekly pushbike ride involving predominantly kids, has sparked controversy with police issuing infringement notices for unsafe riding. Video / Dean Purcell

Winston Peters speaks at NZ First public meeting

The New Zealand First leader delivered a speech followed by questions from the media at a public meeting. Video / NZ Herald

Prime Minister speaks at National Party regional conference

Christopher Luxon speaks to media following his speech at the National Party regional conference. Video / NZ Herald

Fellow paddlers pay tribute to kayaker Simon McLarin

Fellow paddlers pay tribute in Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour, where kayaker Simon McLarin died yesterday after he suffered an apparent heart attack. Video / NZ Herald

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Sunday 17 May, 2026

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Sunday 17 May, 2026 Calls for Labour UK leadership contest. New school qualifications 'aspirational'. Ebola kills 80 in Congo. Video / NZ Herald

Ructions in Dairyland: Milk giants switch bosses

Herald NOW Business presents the first on-camera interview with new Fonterra CEO Richard Allen, analysis from Mike McIntyre, and probes the ructions at Synlait.

Billy Stairmand on the World Surf League event in Raglan

Two-time Olympian Billy Stairmand speaks to the Herald prior to competing in the World Surf League event at Manu Bay.

Watch Peter Andre in The Sunshine Murders

Singer Peter Andre co-stars in The Sunshine Murders, a Prime Video series from award-winning New Zealand film-maker Emily Corcoran. Video / Supplied

Air New Zealand culinary ambassador Josh Emett on his favourite foodie destination

The chef speaks to Viva about where he loves to travel, where to next and his favourite seat on the plane. Video / Michael Craig

Brooke van Velden announces her pregnancy

She says she is really thrilled to be starting the journey into motherhood. Video / Mark Mitchell

Josh Emett named as culinary ambassador for Air New Zealand

The chef will design menus for Business Premier and Premium Economy. Video / Michael Craig

Barry Soper unfiltered on Ardern, Key and the media

Veteran broadcaster Barry Soper joins Paula Bennett on her Ask Me Anything podcast for a wide ranging discussion about his time covering parliament politics.