NZ Herald Headlines | Tuesday December 9 2025

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.

Aerial footage shows damage from fire at Tongariro National Park

New video taken from the air shows the charred landscape caused by the blaze. Video / Mike Scott

Watch: Political Editor Thomas Coughlan breaks down the RMA reforms

Thomas Coughlan analyses the proposed RMA reforms. Video / Mark Mitchell

Pro-Palestine protesters throw paper on MPs in the House

Parliament was disrupted on Tuesday as the protesters threw paper down on MPs' heads.

NZ Herald Headlines | Tuesday December 9, 2025

Afternoon Headlines | Offender still at large after bus stabbing and a 10-year rāhui following Tongariro’s devastating wildfire | Tuesday December 9, 2025

Watch: Chris Bishop announces RMA Reforms

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop outlines the 10 big system shifts. Video / Mark Mitchell

NZ Herald Live: Media get update on the fire in Tongariro National Park

Fire and Emergency New Zealand updates the media on the fire in Tongariro National Park with Incident Controller Renee Potae

NZ Herald Live: Police update East Auckland homicide investigation

Police update East Auckland homicide investigation

Meet the Kiwi attempting a world-record 1000-mile swim from North Cape to Wellington

Jono Ridler, in partnership with Live Ocean, will swim from North Cape to Wellington to raise awareness for healthy oceans and call for an end to bottom trawling.

One person in critical condition, report of fatality after alleged stabbing in Glen Innes

One person has been critically injured after an alleged stabbing in East Auckland, Rachel Maher reports live from the scene.

Large fire engulfs Foxton Beach house

A blaze has destroyed a home in Queen Street in the town of Foxton Beach.

Top three perfect places to spend Christmas

Lorna Riley joins Herald NOW to share her top destinations for Christmas this year.

Herald NOW daily panel: Summer heat, Holiday scams and Tim Wilsons legs

Media specialist Carmen Parahi and Maxim Institute's Tim Wilson go head to head on the big issues of the day.

Tongariro blaze: Fire ecologist warns more frequent fires possible as vegetation dries out

Fire ecologist, Nicola Day joins Herald NOW after studying the Tongariro fire ground since the November blaze.

Australia's auction crackdown sparks calls for NZ to reveal reserve prices

New rules forcing agents to publish reserve prices has raised questions about transparency, under-quoting and whether Kiwis should know the bottom line before auction day.

Free-trade deal with India close, Paramount hostile bid for WBD, Du Val sites sold

India PM Modi could visit next year, Paramount promises ‘stronger Hollywood’ and more cash, Du Val development sites and some townhouses sold for less than mortgage value.

From AI to smart glasses: The biggest tech trends of 2025

Business of Tech Podcast Host Peter Griffin joins Herald NOW for a look back on the hottest tech developments of 2025.

Cybersecurity experts warn of fake websites and stolen credentials

Glenn Maiden, Chief security officer of Fortinet ANZ, joins Herald NOW to discuss the rise of scams during the holiday period.

'He has a different recollection': Hipkins on claims Coster briefed him on McSkimming case

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins answers questions on Andrew Coster's claim he was alerted on Jevon McSkimming details earlier than reported

Summer heat risks: what you need to know

Dr Bryan Beatty shares simple, practical tips to avoid heat-related illness during the summer scorch.

Measles outbreak: Caution urged as virus spreads across new locations of interest

Measles vaccination rates remain too low to prevent community wide spread, Canterbury Epidemiologist Anna Howe reveals.

'Concerned for the whole country': Second large fire hits Tongariro in just four weeks

Brendan Nally from FENZ joins Herald NOW with the latest as crews tackle a fast-moving blaze that’s ripped through rugged terrain.

MetService Daily Weather: December 9 2025

MetService Daily Weather: December 9 2025 Video / NZ Herald

Sport Headlines | NRL proposes bans for three of Tonga's medical staff

Sport Headlines | NRL proposes bans for three of Tonga's medical staff, Football World Cup to introduce water breaks

NZ Herald Headlines | Tuesday December 9 2025

Morning Headlines | Fire and Emergency believe Tongariro fire was not lit intentionally, changes made to Resource Management Act | Tuesday December 9, 2025

Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan

Lights swung violently in people's homes and tsunami sirens blared as a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture. Video / Newsflare via AFP

Child sex abuser Raymond Bielawski jailed over historic abuse

Cecelia Gaylard confronts her childhood abuser, Raymond Bielawski, while reading her victim impact statement in Auckland District Court. Video \ Jason Dorday

Survivor Yvonne Gurtler shares victim impact statement about historic sex abuse

Sexual abuse survivor Yvonne Gurtler shares victim impact statement about Raymond Bielawski’s abuse.

Kea Kids News: Backstage with Bluey and Bingo!

Reporter Daniel scores a VIP pass to the Farmers Santa Parade, heading behind-the-scenes to Bluey and Bingo’s after-party for dancing, magical elves, and an interview with Santa!

One person in critical condition after alleged stabbing

Police have launched an investigation after a man was stabbed in Glen Innes. Video / NZ Herald

Kimberley Crossman shares birth story

Kimberley Crossman has opened up about her birth story as she welcome her daughter Coco Joan Walsh. Video / Facebook / Kimberley Crossman

Shark caught on camera in Whangārei Heads

The shark was seen in the water in a small bay near Urquharts Bay in Whangārei Heads. Video / Emily Faulkner

Christopher Luxon on BMI saying New Zealand has become more politically volatile

Christopher Luxon on BMI saying New Zealand has become more politically volatile. Video / Mark Mitchell

Derby drama and Fifa World Cup dreams: Francis de Vries' big weekend

Auckland FC defender Francis de Vries reflects on derby win over Wellington Phoenix, that penalty moment and the big Fifa World Cup draw.

All Blacks defeats, Netball NZ turmoil, Liam Lawson: The year in sport

Today on The Front Page we have the NZ Herald’s Christopher Reive and Nathan Limm to take us through some of 2025’s highs and lows.

St Andrew's College students stun again with end-of-year school prizegiving performance

The medley featured classic songs, including Crowded House’s Don’t Dream It’s Over sung in te reo Māori. Video / St Andrew's College

Tongariro fire

Fire near Tongariro National Park. Video / Liz Brooker Tōī Communication / Sam Bayly

NZ Herald Live: Christopher Luxon holds post-Cabinet press conference

Christopher Luxon holds post-Cabinet press conference

Watch: Education Minister Erica Stanford receives petition

Stanford faces calls to reinstate school Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. Video / Mark Mitchell

Kiwi arrested at Sydney Airport attempting to bring $10m heroin haul into Australia

A New Zealand national is due to appear in court today accused of importing 21kg of heroin into Australia hidden inside his luggage.