Focus Morning Bulletin: 8 August, 2022

Kurt Bayer, South Island Head of News

Kurt Bayer, NZ Herald South Island Head of News, discusses his motivations behind becoming a journalist.

Stephanie Holmes, Editor - Lifestyle Brands

Stephanie Holmes, NZ Herald Editor - Lifestyle Brands, discusses her motivations behind becoming a journalist.

Audrey Young, Senior Political Correspondent

Audrey Young, NZ Herald Senior Political Correspondent, discusses her motivations behind becoming a journalist.

Lois Turei, Managing Editor Diversity & Learning

Lois Turei, NZ Herald Managing Editor Diversity & Learning, discusses her motivations behind becoming a journalist.

Dean Purcell, Chief Visual Journalist

Dean Purcell, NZ Herald Chief Visual Journalist, discusses his motivations behind becoming a journalist.

Hannah Brown, National Desk Editor

Hannah Brown, NZ Herald National Desk Editor, discusses her motivations behind becoming a journalist.

Why so many are turning to AI for companionship

Eva De Jong talks to The Front Page about the rise in people turning to chatbots for companionship and even love.

Jared Savage, Senior Investigative Journalist

Jared Savage, NZ Herald Senior Investigative Journalist, discusses his motivations behind becoming a journalist.

Liam Napier, Chief Sports Writer

Liam Napier, NZ Herald Chief Sports Writer, discusses his motivations behind becoming a journalist.

Kea Kids News: 6-year-old bull-rider learns the ropes on junior steer

Reporter Gus interviews Archie, an Otago kid who’s already following the family rodeo footsteps with bull-riding dreams of his own.

Liam Dann, Business Editor-at-Large

Liam Dann, NZ Herald Business Editor-at-Large, discusses his motivations behind becoming a journalist.

'Nothing left': Floods and landslide leave grieving families in central Mexico

Floods and landslide leave grieving families in central Mexico. Video / AFP

'Thought I was going to see multiple people die': Dangerous overtake caught on dashcam

A motorist on State Highway 2 caught video footage of a driver making a dangerous overtake near Paeroa about midday. Video / Supplied

Rotorua Business Awards entertainment

Business Awards attendees were treated to music from the Highland Pipe Band. Video / NZ Herald

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Local election results, one dead in Canterbury house fire

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Local election results roll in; Wayne Brown, Andrew Little, Phil Mauger elected. One dead in house fire in Canterbury. Video / NZ Herald

Tania Tapsell re-elected as Rotorua Mayor

Tapsell has been a Rotorua councillor on three occasions and was first elected mayor in 2022. Video / Alan Gibson

Did local body candidate Jamaine Ross get elected despite telling people not to vote for him

The comedian said he did not want the job but entered the race because he told a room of people he would. Video / Instagram / @jamaine_ross

Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon move in together

After three years of dating, Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon are said to have moved in together and are “happier than ever”. Video / Video Elephant

Tim Macindoe has been confirmed as Hamilton’s new mayor

Former MP Tim Macindoe has been confirmed as Hamilton’s new mayor. Video / Tom Eley

Gisborne mayor Rehette Stoltz

It looks likely that Rehette Stoltz has been re-elected for a third term as Gisborne Mayor based on Saturday's progress results. Video / Zita Campbell

Andrew Little elected mayor of Wellington

The former Labour leader spoke to media after getting the call from the council CEO. Video / Mark Mitchell

NZ Herald Live: Mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni speaks to media

Local elections 2025: Mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni speaks to media.

NZ Herald Live: Wayne Brown speaks to the media

Local elections 2025: Wayne Brown wins second term as Auckland Mayor

NZ Herald Live: Andrew Little runs for Wellington Mayor

Andrew Little is a candidate in Wellington's mayoral race this year.

NZ Herald Live: A Celebration of the Life of Nigel Raymond Latta

Nigel Latta’s family warmly invites New Zealanders to join them in a celebration of his life. This is an open funeral, and all are welcome. Video / Supplied

Dog dragged by car along New Plymouth one-way

A dog jumped out of a vehicle travelling along Powderham St in New Plymouth, resulting in her being dragged along the road.

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Auckland Fire Station closed down, thousands return home to Gaza

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Auckland Fire Station closed down, thousands return home to Gaza. Rain warnings, local elections and concern for families with disabled teenagers.

Multiple dead, more missing as blast rocks Tennessee explosives plant

Images show scorched ground, still burning and burned-out cars after a deadly blast rocked a US explosives factory in the Bucksnort area along the Hickman County line, Tennessee.

Busiest fire station in New Zealand closed after asbestos was detected

Firefighters put through decontamination after further asbestos was detected at Auckland Central Fire Station. Video / NZ Herald

Prince William left fighting back tears in painful talk about suicide

Prince William was left fighting back tears during a candid talk with a woman who lost her husband to suicide as part of a video filmed to mark World Mental Health Day on Friday.

How famine and fear are shaping children’s lives in Gaza

Tess Ingram reports from Gaza hospitals as famine grips children. Video / UNICEF

Dunedin millionaire helping first-time buyers into homes

76-year-old Roger Fewtrell, founder of Southern Hospitality, is funding 250 affordable homes in Dunedin to help working families buy their first homes and boost city housing.

House on fire on Onewa Rd in Northcote

Fire and Emergency said crews were working to contain the blaze in the ceiling of a single-storey home. Video / Ella Tangitau

Auckland local elections 2025: what’s at stake for voters

The Front Page’s Chelsea Daniels reports from Auckland on key races, major issues, and what’s driving voter turnout in the 2025 local elections.

'I can't breathe': Students pinned beneath crowd crush outside uni bar

Officers were called to The Foundry as students packed the pre-party ahead of this weekend’s end-of-year celebrations. Video \ Supplied

MetService Severe Weather Warning: October 10th-12th

MetService Severe Weather Warning: October 10th-12th. Video / MetService

Mental As Anything: Angelina Grey on podcasting with a purpose

Hauraki host Angie Grey talks about celebrity vulnerability and speaking up. Video / Alyse Wright

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly become the first billionaire footballer

Cristiano Ronaldo is the wealthiest man in football, according to new data gathered by Bloomberg. Video / VE

Farm Frontlines: What Rural NZ is watching this week

Sarah Perriam-Lampp from CEO of Countrywide Media joins Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW. Video / Herald NOW

Big bonus for TVNZ boss, ASA weed comment, record number of TVNZ complaints

What’s really going on behind the headlines? NZ Herald editor-at-large Shayne Currie breaks down the big media stories of the week.