NZ Herald Headlines | Thursday, February 5, 2026

'Flushing their toilets to the ocean': Wellington Water boss on the city's sewerage catastrophe

Pat Dougherty has confirmed Wellingtonians are flushing their toilets to the ocean as a result of the failure at the Moa Point treatment plant.

Heading to the far North this Waitangi weekend? Here's what you need to know

Northland Local Democracy reporter, Susan Botting explains where the Northland detours are.

Herald NOW: Property with GJ Gardner Homes

Herald NOW: Property with GJ Gardner Homes

NZ Herald Live: Government pōwhiri

The official Government pōwhiri from Waitangi held at Te Whare Rūnanga

David Letele and Carmen Vicelich on Ryan Bridge TODAY

BBM Motivation's David Letele and Valocity Global CEO Carmen Vicelich talk rubbish dumping, unemployment and the words you can't say on air. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Why did economists wrongly predict latest unemployment figures?

Economist Brad Olsen says despite the increase, the latest unemployment figures aren't all bad news.

Sport Panel: Who will be the next All Blacks coach?

Sports editor Cam McMillan and reporter Nathan Limm reveal what to expect in sport this weekend.

Is a 10-year unemployment high as bad as it seems? Here's what the Government reckons

Finance Minister Nicola Willis responds to the highest unemployment rate in a decade, something Chris Hipkins says is "embarrassing" for her. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Jobs growth up but more looking, milk prices soar & $35m for fusion startup

Business with Forsyth Barr: Jobs growth at 18-month high, unemployment at 11-year peak; GDT bump could lift farmgate milk price; Government loan keeps OpenStar onshore.

Your Waitangi weekend weather outlook with Heather Keats

What's in store for the long weekend where you are? Heather Keats has the details. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

New study reveals the surprising words Kiwis most offended by on air

Linguistics expert Andreea Calude explains what makes a swear word bad, and why they change.

Waitangi: Politicians to be welcomed by pōwhiri at 11am

NZ Herald's Deputy Political Editor Adam Pearse speaks with Ryan Bridge ahead of Waitangi day celebrations. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

NZ Herald Headlines | Thursday, February 5, 2026

Morning Headlines | Wellington mayor issues warning over beaches and Christopher Luxon positive ahead of pōwhiri | Thursday, February 5, 2026

MetService morning weather update: February 5

MetService morning weather update: February 5. Video / MetService

'Beggars belief': Wellington Mayor Andrew Little on the capital's major and ongoing sewage leak

70 million litres of raw sewage are leaking into Wellington's south coast every day after a serious failure at the Moa Point treatment plant. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

'Extortion and squalor': Council shuts down uninhabitable motel

Auckland council representatives Daniel Newman and Phylis Latu explain why authorities stepped in to shut motel. Video / Annaleise Shortland

Peter Burling confident as Black Foils eye SailGP return in Auckland

Black Foils driver and co-CEO Peter Burling gives an update on the damage to their F50 ahead of the regatta in Auckland. Video / NZ Herald

Why our unemployment rate is still 'pretty lousy'

NZHerald Business Editor at Large, Liam Dann joins The Front Page to break down the latest figures relating to unemployment.

Russia-Ukraine war resumes as Trump advocates for peace; ending his own government shutdown

The Russia-Ukraine war resumes as Trump advocates for peace; ending his own government shutdown. Calls for Trump to step into Iran and take action also begin to be heard.

Police give update on Hamilton Police shooting

A 40-year-old gang member allegedly aimed a firearm at police during an armed standoff in a Hamilton carpark. Video / Malisha Kumar

Labour leader Chris Hipkins talks to the media from Waitangi

Labour leader Chris Hipkins spoke to media from Waitangi today. Video / NZ Herald

NZ Herald Live: Kīngitanga pōwhiri

Kīngitanga pōwhiri at Te Whare Rūnanga, Waitangi Treaty Grounds

The Warehouse Group to cut 270 jobs as roles move offshore

Herald business journalist Tom Raynel shares more on The Warehouse Group's decision. Video / NZ Herald

Luxon to meet iwi chairs at Treaty Grounds

Waitangi 2026: Luxon to meet iwi chairs at Treaty Grounds, as Ngāi Tahu returns for first time in years. Video / NZ Herald

Members of the judiciary, diplomatic corps and local government attend pōwhiri

Members of the judiciary, diplomatic corps and local government attend a pōwhiri at the Upper Treaty Grounds during the Waitangi 2026 commemorations. Video / Jason Dorday

Wellington officials give update on sewage spill

Wellington Water CEO, Pat Dougherty and Wellington Mayor, Andrew Little give an update on the sewage spill.

Christchurch road to Sumner closed after reports of rockfall from hillside

The Main Rd to Sumner in Christchurch has been closed after a reported rockfall from the Clifton hillside. Video / Lesley Murdoch

Christopher Luxon speaks to media from Waitangi

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the Waitangi grounds today, where he faced the Iwi Chairs Forum in a private meeting to discuss his Government’s past year in power.

Police cordon central Hamilton streets as incident unfolds

Hamilton police incident: Central streets blocked by cordons as incident unfolds. Video / NZ Herald

Conservation dog Scout sniffing out last of Otago Peninsula problem possums

The Otago Peninsula has almost completely eradicated possums, with the help of Scout. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Dengue fever warning for Pacific travellers

Over 500 cases have been reported in the Cook Islands since May last year. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Entertainment: Who is Bad Bunny and; what was Chappel Roan wearing at the Grammy's?

Chief entertainment reporter Jenni Mortimer explains the latest in entertainment news. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Bishop: 'licences are a critical enabler of work'

Minister of Transport says driver licensing changes are about making it easier for New Zealanders to get a driver's licence. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Single-sex vs co-ed schooling: what's best for student success?

Two Auckland principals debate single-sex vs co-ed schooling and what model benefits students best. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Rawdon Christie and Alexia Hilbertidou on new driver licensing rules, weight loss drugs

Real estate agent Rawdon Christie and social entrepreneur Alexia Hilbertidou join Ryan Bridge on the Ryan Bridge TODAY panel.

Nasa delays launch of moon mission after problems found during rehearsal

Nasa delays launch of Artemis 2 after problems were discovered during yesterday rehearsal. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Seymour confirms critical minerals mining has been discussed at cabinet

Marama Davidson and David Seymour debate critical minerals; school uniforms; and a wealth tax. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Government hits pause on $464m insurance levy rise, gold frenzy grips retail investors, SpaceX deal

Business with Forsyth Barr: Insurance affordability ‘deep dive’ pushes cost increase out of election year; surge of trading in Santana; is Musk’s SpaceX-xAI megamerger worth $2t?

Pharmac moves toward funding weight loss drug Wegovy: Diabetes expert weighs in

Diabetes Foundation board chair Dr John Baker on the benefits of Wegovy. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Sport Headlines | Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Sport Headlines | Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Video / NZ Herald