Focus Morning Bulletin August 17

Cameron Rowston set for UFC debut in Perth

UFC light heavyweight Navajo Stirling will take on Brazilian Rodolfo Bellato in Perth this weekend. Video / Annaleise Shortland

Erica Stanford and Nicola Willis deliver an immigration announcement

Erica Stanford and Nicola Willis deliver an immigration announcement Video / NZ Herald

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Hospitals pause as Health NZ strikes, Government to boost schools

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Hospitals pause as Health NZ strikes, Government to boost schools. Video / NZ Herald

Invasive wasps attacking a live weta in Northland

A live weta in Northland being devoured by invasive wasps. Video / Brad Windust

TikTok violence: Auckland students shaken after viewing Charlie Kirk's death

Graphic shooting footage spread rapidly on social media after his assassination. Video / Jason Dorday, Mark Mitchell, Alyse Wright

NZ weighs recognition of Palestine as allies push ahead

University of Waikato international law professor Alexander Gillespie is with us to explain what recognition means and how it’s not as black and white as we might think.

New Ōpononi Area School building opens

Ōpononi Area School's new primary school building was welcomed with joy by staff, students, whānau and the wider community. Video / Yolisa Tswanya

Kea Kids News: Which rugby club produces the most All Blacks?

Reporter Chester investigates the secret sauce that makes this club an All Blacks factory, and interviews legend Sir Bryan ‘BeeGee’ Williams about playing for the Ponies.

Chess for change: Unpacking the benefits of the game of kings

Chess champion Evguenia Charomova tells Mitchell Hageman how the game is helping young people unlock potential and opportunity. Video / Michael Craig

NZ Herald Live: Christopher Luxon and Erica Stanford school infrastructure announcement

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister of Education Erica Stanford make an announcement about school infrastructure. Video / NZ Herald

Scott Robertson speaks to media ahead of All Blacks v Wallabies clash

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson spoke to media in Auckland ahead of this weekend's test at Eden Park.

Donald Trump and Erika Kirk speak at Charlie Kirk's funeral service

Donald Trump and Erika Kirk speak at Charlie Kirk's funeral service in Arizona this morning. Video /

Politics preview: Will NZ recognise Palestine as an independant state?

Foreign Minister Winston Peters is on his way to New York, for what commentators say will be a defining week for the United Nations, Adam Pearse reports. Video / NZ Herald

Lolo Heimuli: From a church storeroom, to training world champions

Lolo Heimuli speaks on Herald NOW about his combat sports legacy, and new documentary. Video / NZ Herald

Herald NOW: Rawdon Christie and Trish Sherson discuss GDP shock and more

Herald NOW: Rawdon Christie and Trish Sherson discuss the recent GDP shock and more on this mornings news panel. Video / NZ Herald

Christopher Luxon reacts to doctors' strike and state of the economy

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon weighs in on the doctors' strike and general state of the economy.

What NZ's shrinking GDP means for markets: Zoe Wallis, Forsyth Barr

Forsyth Barr Investment Strategist, Zoe Wallis weighs in on NZ's shrinking GDP and what it means for the market outlook. Video / Herald NOW

Christchurch's new stadium hits major milestone

Christchurch's new stadium has reached a major milestone, Newstalk ZB South Island news director, Claire Sherwood reports.

Independent report supports Irish Dawn Meats buyout; Trump whacks US big tech with visa fees

Business with 2degrees: Northington report says Dawn Meats buyout of 65% of Alliance would put it in position to pay dividend, and Trump puts $170k price tag on Silicon Valley's

Cost-of-living crisis: Almost half of Kiwis going backwards financially

Revolut's Georgia Grange speaks to new data on impact of cost-of-living on Herald NOW.

Lawson in fifth in Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Herald Sports Journalist Alex Powell weighs in on Liam Lawson's Azerbaijan Grand Prix performance. Video / Herald NOW

The defence of insanity explained

Retired High Court Judge Simon Moore joins Michael Morrah on Herald NOW to talk through the use of insanity as a defence for serious crimes.

More nations move to recognise Palestine as invasion of Gaza continues

Palestinian-Kiwi activist Mohammed Gouda joins Michael Morrah on Herald NOW to discuss the planned recognition of a Palestinian state. Video / Herald NOW

'It's simply going to keep the lights on, the water running' - $100m hospital upgrades criticised

ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton talks to Herald NOW after the Government announced $100m will be spent on hospital upgrades.

Herald NOW Weather: September 22th, 2025

Herald NOW Weather: September 22th, 2025

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Hospital infrastructure and Palestinian state decision expected

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Patient advocate group calls for focus on bigger projects and the Government is expected to decide whether or not to recognise a Palestinian state.

NZ Herald Sport News Update | Max Verstappen wins Grand Prix and Silver Ferns beat South Africa

NZ Herald Sport News Update | Max Verstappen wins Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the Silver Ferns beat South Africa in opening test.

Brando Peričić’s rocky road to the UFC

Recently signed heavyweight Brando Peričić speaks to the Herald ahead of his UFC debut in Perth. Video / Annaleise Shortland

The Kiwi communities left stranded in the news desert

NZ Herald editor-at-large Shayne Currie joins The Front Page to discuss what the rise of news deserts could mean for New Zealand.

Union movement in good heart says departing union leader Richard Wagstaff

Richard Wagstaff has been president of the Council of Trade Unions for the past 10 years and a union official for 37 years. Video / Mark Mitchell

Kea Kids News: Seven-year-old saving the forest with TikTok

Reporter Manukura is in magical Te Urewera, where Aotearoa’s newest TikTok star Nohorangi and his whanau are going viral with content about living in and loving the ngahere.

In Whose Name - Official Full Trailer (2025) Documentary

A new unauthorized Kanye West documentary has intimately detailed the last six years of the rapper’s turbulent personal and professional life. Video / IGN Movie Trailers

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Strong winds warning in Canterbury, gang gathering in Hawke's Bay

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Red strong winds warning in Canterbury, gang gathering in Hawke's Bay, Kimmel meets with execs amid free speech uproar. Video / NZ Herald

Charlie Kirk vigil held in Auckland

Brian Tamaki held a vigil for Charlie Kirk in Auckland's Aotea Square. Video / NZ Herald

LeBron James admits marriage with wife Savannah isn't 'picture-perfect'

LeBron James says he and wife Savannah are willing to put in the work to keep their marriage on track. Video / VideoElephant

Trump publishes video of strike on alleged drug smugglers' boat

A video posted by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform as part of a message announcing a military strike against drug smugglers shows a vessel blowing up. / AFP

Trump says it's 'illegal' for TV networks to consistently criticize him

Trump says it's 'illegal' for TV networks to consistently criticize him. Video / AFP

Travis Kelce Jokes Wedding Planning Is Easier Than Winning Football Games

Travis Kelce jokes planning a wedding is easier than winning football games. Video / VE

Auckland suburb overrun with speed humps

Henri Labuchagne encounters 22 speed humps on the drive home through Milldale. Video / Annaleise Shortland

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Peters to attend UN conference in New York, heavy rain coming for NZ

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Peters to UN conference in New York, rain warnings issued for NZ. Russia also violates Estonian airspace sparking fears and responses.