NZ Herald Headlines | Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins and MP Willie Jackson speak to the media from Waitangi

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins and MP Willie Jackson speak to the media from Waitangi following the Government Pōwhiri. Video / NZ Herald

Christchurch mosque terrorist set to appear in Court of Appeal

Tarrant is expected to give evidence at a five-day Court of Appeal hearing in an attempt to overturn his convictions and life sentence. Video / NZ Herald

‘A different vibe’: How Waitangi has changed amid election heat

Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths joins The Front Page from Waitangi to break down what the event means.

PM Christopher Luxon speaks to media following the Government Pōwhiri at Waitangi

PM Christopher Luxon speaks to media following the Government Pōwhiri at Waitangi. Video / NZ Herald

The Greens Party speaks to media following the Government Pōwhiri at Waitangi

The Greens Party speaks to media following the Government Pōwhiri at Waitangi. Video / NZ Herald

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi speaks to media following the Government Pōwhiri at Waitangi

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi speaks to media following the Government Pōwhiri at Waitangi. Video / NZ Herald

Meteor lights up night sky

A meteor lit up the night sky across Northland, fascinating residents far and wide. Video / President Tauranga Astronomical Society David Greig, Kaitaia resident, Jaz Payne

David Seymour speaks to media following the Government Pōwhiri at Waitangi

Deputy PM David Seymour speaks to media following the Government pōwhiri at Waitangi. Video / NZ Herald

'Dude, we're calling your parents': Teen lectured after speeding 189km/h

The 17-year-old had only held his provisional licence (P-plates) for two months. Video / Queensland Police

NZ Herald Live: Christopher Luxon speaks to media

Christopher Luxon speaks to media

Dave Letele threatens to expose illegal rubbish dumpers in now-viral social video

Dave Letele has had a gutsful of people dumping rubbish out the back of his gym in West Auckland and says he will publicly expose the culprits.

'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