NZ Herald Headlines | Thursday December 11, 2025

First Look at Air New Zealand's Lookout Lounge

The new lounge opens ahead of the redevelopment of the Koru Lounge starting next year. Video / Michael Craig

US Fed cuts rates 25 basis points to 3.5-3.75%, launches US$40b bond-buying programme

Business with 2degrees: US Fed’s bond-buy with job market soft, inflation sticky, lifts US 2026 GDP pick to 2.3% and opts to wait and see on future cuts as 2 dissent on this cut.

Where to snag a Kiwi classic beachfront propety this summer

Ray White's Reuben van Dorsten tells Herald NOW where to find the hottest property on New Zealand's best beaches.

Inside Australia’s social media ban for under 16s

As Australia’s youth social comes into force, Matilda Green discusses the impact on families — and whether New Zealand could follow.

Herald NOW daily panel: Bad ads, migration and Trumps new tourist policy

Dave Letele and Deborah Pead go head to head on the big issues of the day.

Sports wrap: Cricket, F1 and SailGP

NZ Herald sports journalists, Chris Reive and Nathan Limm talk all things sport.

US Fed rate cut, great year for hydro power, 570% council rates increase shock

Business with 2degrees: Eyes on central bankers here and in US; Benmore spill shows hydro health; forest owner’s rates jump from $30k to $200k in one year.

26,000 Kiwis Warned Over Major Malware Breach

The National Cyber Security Centre has issued a rare warning amid malware surge.

Asbestos in play sand: Parents warned to monitor exposed children

Professor Ian Shaw discusses new research on Herald NOW, urging parents with kids exposed to asbestos sand to get them checked annually.

Shocking new study reveals 1 in 8 Kiwi teens have experienced sexual violence

The University of Auckland study found sexual violence rates were highest for girls, Māori and Pacific youth, and gender-diverse teens.

Why is Westpac lifting interest rates?

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhol explains the bank's decision to increase interest rates despite OCR cuts.

New Zealand's fastest growing district has high hopes for RMA changes

Selwyn Mayor, Lydia Giddon hopes ditching RMA will help speed things up for the region.

Sport Headlines | Blair Tickner to miss rest of series after injury

Sport Headlines | Blair Tickner to miss rest of cricket series after serious shoulder injury, All Blacks wing Sevu Reece poised to leave New Zealand Rugby for French club Perpignan

NZ Herald Headlines | Thursday December 11, 2025

Morning Headlines | Push for stronger online safety standards, warning issued over sand dune risks and cancer cases rise but survival improves | Thursday December 11, 2025

MetService Daily Weather: December 11 2025

MetService Daily Weather: December 11 2025 Video / NZ Herald

Kea Kids News: Young leaders take the stage at Te Mana Kuratahi 2025

Reporter Hawaiki goes behind the scenes as emerging Māori performers from Te Kura ā Iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano and Ngā Huiarau o Kawakawa show how they keep their culture alive.

The Elephant | DEI vs MEI - Is equity killing excellence?

Is hiring for diversity at odds with merit, or a pathway to broader excellence?

Black Caps bowler Blair Tickner suffers horror injury against West Indies

The fast bowler was stretchered from the field on day one in Wellington. Video / TVNZ

NZ Herald Headlines | Wednesday December 10, 2025

Afternoon Headlines | Reserve Bank Governor asked to cut spending; 36-year-old man charged with murder and assault | Wednesday December 10, 2025

Leaving for Oz: Why so many Kiwis are giving up on the local job market

NZ Herald Business Editor-at-Large Liam Dann talks about the ongoing migration of kiwis to Australia and what it means for those left behind.

Giving back with every sale

How Kate McCormick is rewriting real estate community support.

Kiwi teen sets new kite surfing big air record

Hugo Wigglesworth is the first person to jump 40m on a kite. Video / Hugo Wigglesworth

Watch: PM, Finance Minister respond to Westpac's interest rate hike

Westpac lifted some fixed rates on Tuesday. Video / Mark Mitchell

Two people dead in separate water incidents

Reporter Katie Oliver talks to lifeguard Harry Mellor at Muriwai Beach about recent tragic water incidents.

Herald NOW daily panel: Social media ban, the Resource Management Act and mispronouncing names

Mark Crysell and Sarah Henry go head to head on the big issues of the day.

Driven car guide: The car with a steering wheel that looks straight out of F1

Driven Car Guide Editor, David Linklater joins Herald NOW to talk all things motoring.

26,000 New Zealand devices said to be infected by malware

Technology editor Chris Keall joins Herald NOW to discuss cybersecurity.

Farmers welcome RMA reform

Federated Farmers' RMA reform spokesperson Mark Hooper says changes will free farmers from heavy paperwork.

When can I actually retire? A calm reality check from an Investment Adviser

Herald NOW speaks with Forsyth Barr Senior Investment Adviser Brad Gordon.

South Island news wrap: Govt backs local seafarers in Timaru, MBIE cracks down on Dunedin flats

Newstalk ZB South Island news director Claire Sherwood joins Herald NOW for the latest on the regions biggest stories.

Westpac rate push was foreseeable after RBNZ parked easing, GenZ hiring hit by generative AI uptake

Business with 2degrees: Westpac first to pass on costs for longer-term lending as wholesale rates rise. despite OCR cut. Plus, how is AI adoption squeezing graduate hiring?

Kiwi Pukupuku Chicks Found in Westland

A species once thought extinct on the mainland is now growing.

RMA reform: Chris Bishop on what it means for every homeowner

The RMA reform minister says the overhaul aims to cut delays, costs for builders and owners.

Political panel: David Seymour and Marama Davidson

Greens' Davidson and ACT’s Seymour debate RMA reform, social media bans and the latest poll.

Builders react as government ditches RMA, promises new laws will add annual $3b to the economy

Certified Builders Chairman, Nick Farrelly reveals his take on the governments decision to bin RMA.

Sport Headlines | Mitchell Hay to make his cricket test debut today

Sport Headlines | Mitchell Hay to make his cricket test debut today, Emma Twigg nominated for women's crew of the year at World Rowing Awards

MetService Daily Weather: December 10 2025

MetService Daily Weather: December 10 2025 Video / NZ Herald

NZ Herald Headlines | Wednesday December 10, 2025

Morning Headlines | Calls made to allocate police on buses after Auckland bus attacks, ten year rāhui placed at Tongariro after second blaze | Wednesday December 10, 2025

Kea Kids News: Kicking down barriers: meet the kids redefining football

Reporter Abdullah is pitchside, commentating on Adaptive football - a space where every kid has a shot to learn, play and shine.

How Australia’s social media ban works – and could it happen in NZ

Dr Cassandra Mudgway joins The Front Page to talk the logistics of the world-first social media ban happening in Australia this week.