NZ Herald Afternoon News Update | Red weather warnings issued and Queenstown sudden death

Shortland Street: Contagion – Trailer

A deadly new virus is taking over Ferndale. Video / South Pacific Pictures

MetService weather: October 29, 2025

MetService weather: October 29, 2025

Canterbury's 'Larry the Lamb' claims NPC mascot race victory

NZ sprinter Tiaan Whelpton has been revealed as the mascot winner.

First kiwi chick hatches on Waiheke Island

Ten kiwi were released onto Waiheke Island for the first time in May this year in a conservation milestone, and now a kiwi chick has been hatched. Supplied / Save the Kiwi

Wellington Mayor-elect Andrew Little announces Ben McNulty as his deputy mayor

McNulty, a fellow Labour councillor, will serve as deputy for the first half of the term, in a novel new arrangement set up by Little. Video / Mark Mitchell

NZ Herald Live: Chris Hipkins speaks to media

Chris Hipkins speaks to the media after addressing the Council of Trade Unions at their biennial conference.

Watch: What does the Green Party think of Labour's capital gains tax?

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says Labour's tax policy would be a "starting point" in any future coalition negotiations. Video / Mark Mitchell

Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm – one of the most powerful storm landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin. Video / AFP, Herald NOW

Timbersport world champion returns to NZ

Timbersport world champion Jack Jordan talks to Herald NOW's Ryan Bridge.

Police release next big recruitment campaign

NZ Police have launched a new advertising campaign to recruit staff. Video / NZ Police

Hobbiton wedding turns magical as Elijah Wood crashes ceremony

Actor Elijah Wood, aka Frodo, crashes a wedding at Hobbiton. Video / Hobbiton Tours

Parenting under pressure: Expert on raising resilient kids

Neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis shares advice for parents navigating stress and connection in his docu series, 'Kids Don't Come with a Manual'.

Lily Allen’s comeback & Sean 'Diddy’ Combs' court date: What you missed in entertainment this week

Entertainment reporter Jenni Mortimer breaks down the latest celebrity headlines. Video / Herald NOW

NZ's meth surge, supermarket facial recognition and the female firefighters calendar

Sir Graham Lowe and Carmen Parahi join the Herald NOW panel to unpack the week’s biggest stories. Video / Herald NOW

Breaking Barriers: NZ’s first female firefighters calendar

Firefighters Nicole Koch and Zoe Feau on celebrating strength, diversity, and women on the frontlines.

Meth use surges as organised Crime tightens its grip

Investigative journalist Jared Savage reveals how gangs are driving a rise in meth use across New Zealand. Video / Herald NOW

School curriculum criticism grows

Minister of Education Erica Stanford chats with Herald NOW's Ryan Bridge.

Charities struggling in tough economy

Simon Bowden of Forsyth Barr joins Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW to talk about personal finance. Video / Herald NOW

From supermarket cameras to exam chaos: South Island update

Facial recognition tech rolls out in Christchurch while Otago faces backlash over a botched law exam.

NZ Super fund bets big on Nvidia and Tower

Business with 2degrees: Australian watchdog looks at AI bundle pricing and NZ Super fund bets big on NVIDIA and Tower. Video / Herald NOW

Hipkins defends Labour’s capital gains tax plan

Chris Hipkins responds to critics on Herald NOW and outlines Labour’s reasoning behind a capital gains tax.

Health officials sound alarm over measles outbreak

Public health specialist Dr Matt Reid on why vaccination rates are key as measles resurfaces in New Zealand. Video / Herald NOW

Hurricane Melissa could impact 1.5 m people in Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa could affect 1.5 million people in Jamaica alone, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says. Video / AFP

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Netanyahu orders military to immediately strike Gaza

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Netanyahu orders military to immediately strike Gaza. clean-up continues across South Island.

Greens vs ACT on Labour’s capital gains tax announcement

Greens Co-Leader Marama Davidson and ACT’s David Seymour debate whether Labour’s capital gains tax will help - or hurt New Zealanders. Video / Herald NOW

How Labour’s capital gains tax could hit house prices

Infometrics Chief Forecaster Gareth Kiernan breaks down what Labour’s proposed capital gains tax might mean for homeowners and the housing market. Video / Herald NOW

NZ Herald Sports Update: October 29, 2025

NZ Herald Sports Update: October 29, 2025.

Herald NOW Weather: October 29, 2025

Herald NOW Weather: October 29, 2025.

Kea Kids News: Tamariki go All Out in a cultural extravaganza

Reporter Mele is at Onehunga High School, where Kāhui Ako schools have come together for the Lalaga All Out Showcase, celebrating Māori, Pasifika, and Asian cultures.

Missed opportunity? Questions over Labour’s capital gains tax policy

Infometrics economist Brad Olsen discusses Labour's new tax policy. Video / NZ Herald

Watch: Malaysian Prime Minister tries haka while greeting Christopher Luxon

The pair held a bilateral meeting on Tuesday. Video / MOFA Malaysia

Labour slammed over plan to use capital gains tax for free GP visits

National, Act and New Zealand First say Labour’s tax proposal risks choking economic growth, while Labour argues the revenue would provide relief for struggling families.

MetService weather: October 28, 2025

MetService weather: October 28, 2025

Part of Tāmaki Drive is closed for hīkoi in support of tangata whenua and workers’ rights

Eastbound lanes of Tāmaki Drive have been closed for a hīkoi in support of tangata whenua and workers' rights. Video / Dean Purcell

NZ Herald Afternoon News Update | Snow dusting the South Island

NZ Herald Afternoon News Update | Snow dusting the South Island, Labour’s capital gains tax, Social media ban for under-16s.

Nicola Willis reacts to Labour's capital gains tax announcement

Finance Minister Nicola Willis reacts to the Labour Party's capital gains tax announcement. Video / NZ Herald

Chris Hipkins says policy leaker would be ousted from Labour Party

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says if capital gains tax policy leaker is found they will be ousted from the party.

Freightways couriers walk off Job over long hours and safety

More than 70 Freightways contract couriers protest at Auckland’s Cornwall Park Cafe, demanding better hours and safer conditions during a 24-hour strike. Video \ Jason Dorday

Lightning brightens Northland's night skies in stunning display

Lightning captured at Morningside in Whangārei about 1am on Tuesday. Video / Sarah Curtis

Snow in Christchurch, Canterbury

Snow falls in Rolleston and Halswell. Video / Supplied