NZ Herald Headlines | Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Increasing number of children starting school without basic skills

New Shoots Children's Centre Director Kelly Seaburg talks to Mike Hosking about the increasing number of children starting school without basic skills. Video / Newstalk ZB

Meta's Head of Global Safety joins Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking in studio

The New Zealand government is still considering a social media ban for under 16s - which would follow in the footsteps of Australia. Video / Newstalk ZB

NZ Herald Live: Chris Bishop makes driver licence announcement

Chris Bishop makes driver licence announcement

Northland angler hooks 279kg swordfish and pending women’s record

Kiwi angler, Helen Horrocks joins Ryan Bridge Today to reveal how she broke the record. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Sick of late flights? Lorna Riley reveals the world's most punctual airline

Qatar crowned world’s most punctual airline, the tallest hotel and Nipah virus screenings. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Officials not concerned about Chinese Yutong buses despite international security fears

Chinese-made buses on NZ roads are under investigation internationally over security concerns they could be remotely turned off, Ethan Manera reports. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Is Central Auckland on life support? Mayor Wayne Brown responds

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown reveals his plans to fix the city centre. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Social media for AI chat bots: Should we be worried?

Business of Tech podcast host Peter Griffin on the new social media platform for AI chatbots. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Latest Epstein release raises fresh questions about accountability

Eric Tucker, National Security reporter at the Associated Press, says the latest Epstein release raises fresh questions about accountability. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

$20b US critical minerals plan; Gloriavale charitable status probed, will NZTA sell & regulate RUCs?

Business with Forsyth Barr: US ‘Project Vault’ details expected as NZ diplo flies to DC, EROAD argues to keep road user charge retail private, Gloriavale trust posts $1.8m surplus.

Hipkins: 'You have to win votes before you start giving people jobs'

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins talks coalitions; prioritising Te Tiriti; and capital gains tax. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Has the economy turned a corner? New Centrix data reveals all

The first Centrix credit indicator for 2026 is out. We chat to Chief Operating officer, Monika Lacey. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

KiwiSaver moves into venture capital

Investment firm PieFunds say their new partnership will give KiwiSavers access to private markets. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Toyota Aqua dubbed NZ's top stolen car...again

Toyota Chief Strategic Officer reveals why Toyotas are targeted more than other vehicles. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Sport Headlines | Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Sport Headlines | Monday, February 3, 2026.

Critical minerals mining: 'Demand outstrips supply'

Josie Vidal, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Minerals Council, says critical mineral mining would bring money and jobs into NZ. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

NZ Herald Headlines | Tuesday, February 3, 2026

NZ Herald Headlines | Tuesday, February 3, 2026. NZ negotiates minerals deal with US, principals want more details on new school reports, more Epstein files released. Video / NZH

MetService Morning Weather Update: February 3 2026

MetService Morning Weather Update: February 3 2026. Video / MetService

Luke Harrold prepares for Winter Olympics debut

Luke Harrold will compete in the men's freeski halfpipe competition at the Winter Olympics in Italy. Video / NZ Herald

Mass daytime brawl breaks out lakeside in Rotorua

A fight involving several people was filmed at Rotorua's Lake Ōkareka. The video has been edited to blur those involved.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA win Record of the Year Grammy, Bad Bunny takes top album

Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, while Kendrock Lamar and SZA took the Grammy for Record of the Year.

Epstein files likened to Watergate as global power links emerge

International relations professor Robert Patman joins The Front Page to unpack the international ramifications of the DOJ's release of 3 million files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The happiest kingdom outside of Disneyland!

This is part of a series of sponsored stories by Newstalk ZB’s Kerre Woodham, exploring life in Metlifecare villages through the eyes of residents.

New A220 jetliner lands in Wellington after first international flight

Qantas is in a bullish mood and brought its new Airbus A220 to New Zealand for regular Brisbane-Wellington flights. Video / John Weekes

Rakaia Salmon

The iconic Rakaia salmon sculpture on SH1 has been refurbished by the same artist who created it more than 35 years ago. Video / Mike Thorpe / Tim Tarbotton

'I can't endorse anything like that...': Ryan Bridge reacts to a speed camera being chopped down

A speed camera on the Coatesville Riverview Highway was cut down reportedly by a disgruntled local. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Watch: Te Pāti Māori MP speaks ahead of court hearing contesting expulsion

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi is hoping the courts will rule in her favour regarding last year's expulsion. Video / Mark Mitchell

NZ Herald Live: Christopher Luxon and Erica Stanford speak to media

Christopher Luxon and Erica Stanford speak to the media after visiting Cockle Bay School

What’s driving extreme weather across Australia?

Daytime temperatures are soaring above 40°C as Australia contemplates a new normal. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

European EV sales surge, surpassing petrol for the first time

EVs outsold petrol vehicles for the first time, while hybrids outsold petrol and diesel combined, Damien O'Carrol reports. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Daily panel talks traffic woes, crude gestures and Sam Ruthe's success

Real estate agent Jayne Kiely and Senior BusinessDesk reporter Dileepa Fonseka join Ryan Bridge for the daily panel. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

'Trump - Tehran conflict: 'Fifty-fifty chance of war'

International Law Professor Al Gillespie says if the Trump-Tehran conflict spills into war "it would be a disaster". Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Christopher Luxon congratulates teen running sensation Sam Ruthe

'We're really proud of you': PM's words for record-breaker Sam Ruthe Video / Ryan Bridge Today

PM's reaction to crude gesture by firefighter

Christopher Luxon reacts to crude gesture by firefighter he met while surveying weather damage. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

'Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on NZ-India FTA; critical minerals; and asset sales

The Prime Minister joined Ryan Bridge to discuss the big topics of the day. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

'I want to be the best in the world' - Sam Ruthe reflects following his record-breaking mile

16-year-old running sensation Sam Ruthe on his latest record-breaking result

Ryan Bridge Today

Ryan Bridge Today.

Sport Panel with Cam McMillan and Alex Powell

Cam McMillan and Alex Powell recap the weekend sport and what is to come this week. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Monday Market Outlook with Zoe Wallis and Forsyth Barr

Monday Market Outlook with Zoe Wallis and Forsyth Barr. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Winston Peters lets rip at big construction companies; Gov’t considers insurance cost intervention

Business with Forsyth Barr: Blunt talk from Peters on potential cost of Marsden Pt rail spur, Treasury flags insurance competition, gold & silver prices drop on Trump’s Fed pick.