MetService weekend weather forecast 2 January 2026: Cooler wet weather over the weekend

Hailstorm hits Whangārei Heads

Massive hailstorm pelts cars in Whangārei Heads. Video / Supplied

Flower and candle tributes laid for victims of Swiss ski resort fire

Flower and candle tributes laid for victims of Swiss ski resort fire. Video / AFP

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Sparklers on champagne blamed for Swiss fire, quake in Mexico City

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Indoor pyrotechnics blamed for Swiss fire, quake in Mexico City, serious crash involving ambulance in Waipu Cove. Video / NZ Herald

What's your favourite beach? | NZ Herald Best Beach 2026

Go to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach to nominate your favourites. Video / NZ Herald

Why Auckland’s busiest cemetery looks like a Disney movie

An Auckland cemetery has turned into a colourful, happy place, thanks to the Pasifika families who go there.

Beach trip memories | NZ Herald Best Beach 2026

Go to nzherald.co.nz/bestbeach to nominate your favourites. Video / NZ Herald

Watch: Grey Lynn house catches fire after lightning strike as thunderstorm hits Auckland

A central Auckland home was struck by lightning, causing its roof to burst into flames as thunderstorms hit the region. Video / NZ Herald

MetService weekend weather forecast 2 January 2026: Cooler wet weather over the weekend

Cool and showery before the sun returns. Video/MetService

MetService Severe weather update: Afternoon/evening January 2, 2026

Thundery weather and heavy rain for Upper North Island and Auckland

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Friday, January 2, 2025

Afternoon Headlines | Firefighters urge extra fire caution and investigation under way after Bay of Plenty death | Friday, January 2, 2025

Police investigating unexplained death in Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore

Police are investigating an unexplained death in the suburb of Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore.

Spinning yarns at NZ's only commercial wool weaver

InterWeave's Tracy March on weaving for airlines and what customers want. Video / Cameron Pitney

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Friday, January 2, 2025

Morning Headlines | Fire rips through Swiss ski bar and Manage My Health hit by major cyber incident | Friday, January 2, 2025

About 40 dead, 115 injured in Swiss ski resort bar fire

About 40 people are dead after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Thursday, January 1, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | 5 deaths recorded in NZ holiday road toll and patients warned after health portal data breach | Thursday, January 1, 2026

Police Commissioner on the beat in Nelson for NYE

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers joined police on the front lines in Nelson on the one year anniversary of officer Lyn Fleming's death. Video / NZ Herald

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Thursday, January 1, 2026

Morning Headlines | NZ welcomes 2026 with Sky Tower firework display and road closure on SH16 | Thursday, January 1, 2026

World begins to welcome 2026

Pacific countries, including New Zealand, were the first to see in 2026, with Seoul and Tokyo following Sydney in celebrations that will stretch around the globe. Video / AFP

He’s Back! How Max rode a pig to 70 million views!

Reporter Tessa catches up with Max and his siblings, who raise piglets to fund their dirt bike adventures. He shows off his expert pig-riding skills… but can he go viral again?

Two Waterskiing French Bulldogs dazzle holiday crowds

The man behind Bosco and Treasure, Dylan Bacher, told the Herald the skill came naturally to his canines. Video / boscospiratelife via TikTok

MetService national weather update: December 31 - January 1

MetService national weather update: December 31 - January 1. Video / MetService

NZ Herald Afternoon News Update | One dead in SH1 crash, Leighton Smith named New Year 2026 Honouree

NZ Herald Afternoon News Update | One dead in SH1 crash, Leighton Smith named New Year 2026 Honouree, boosted police presence in Sydney. Video / NZ Herald

Kiwi band Borderline at Rhythm and Vines

Young NZ band Borderline played a great set during Rhythm and Vines.

Electrical fire cuts power to dozens of Russell businesses

An electrical fire in Russell yesterday cut power to dozens of businesses during the busy holiday period.

Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK’s granddaughter, dies at 35

Tatiana Schlossberg’s family announced her death in a social media post shared by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Morning Headlines | New Year 2026 Honours released and ambulance crews brace for busy night | Wednesday, December 31, 2025

China's military releases footage of live-fire drills near Taiwan

China says it is carrying out live-fire drills on maritime targets north and southwest of Taiwan, involving destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers and drones.

Heart-surgery hero tackles first TRYathlon!

Reporter Lily meets Jake, who shares his inspirational journey from a major heart operation, to race day victory at the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon

New Year Honours 2026

Sporting, science and community icons have been recognised in this year's prestigious list.

Man saved from rocks at Fishermans Cove, Whangaparāoa

A witness said the man was trapped on the rocks for at least an hour. Video / Riki Waugh

MetService national weather update: Tuesday 30 December

MetService national weather update: Tuesday 30 December. Video / MetService

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Afternoon Headlines | Call for more police on Karangahape Rd and severe winds continue to batter parts of New Zealand | Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Hawke's Bay surfer shares the waves with pod of dolphins

Byron Crawford filmed surfing the waves off Waimārama Beach in Hawke's Bay on his foil prone assist board with a pod of dolphins.

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Morning Headlines | Bad weather may last till end of the year and record number of first-home buyers | Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Rhythm and Vines mud chaos

Festival-goers across the North Island experienced a muddy night as torrential rain drenched campsites. Video / Tyler Tantin

Boxer Anthony Joshua injured in deadly car crash in Nigeria

British boxer Anthony Joshua was injured in a car crash in Nigeria that killed two people, police say.

Northcote school gets colourful for a cause

Reporter Cato finds out why teachers are throwing dye at kids, and how Northcote’s Colour Run is raising big money, with students choosing how to spend it!

Fire crews attend sites of property damage as strong winds buffet Auckland

Fire crews removed debris from roads as strong winds buffeted Auckland. Video / Jason Dorday

Watch: Waterspout touches down off Waimārama Beach, Hawke's Bay

Video shows the rare moment near Bare Island during stormy weather at the popular Hawke's Bay beach. Video / Supplied

MetService severe weather update: Monday 29 December

MetService severe weather update: Monday 29 December. Video / MetService