NZ Herald Headlines | Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Road remains shut in Tairua

Most shops in Tairua are now closed, while the road towards Pāuanui remains shut.

Tropical storm hits North Island

A tropical storm is battering the North Island, with several regions under red heavy rain warnings.

Coromandel locals resort to kayaks as floodwaters submerge rural roads

Rising water has inundated several rural roads, forcing locals to swap cars for kayaks to move through their community. Video / Supplied

What Australia's new hate laws mean for NZ's free speech debate

Race Relations Commissioner Dr Melissa Derby is with us to talk about how to tackle this growing issue.

Watch: 2026 New Zealand election date revealed

It leaves limited time for coalition negotiations. Video / Mark Mitchell

Roads closed by floodwater near Whitianga

Paddocks and roads on the outskirts of Whitianga are awash with floodwaters blocking passage around Coromandel. Video / Olivia Moore

Severe weather update with Heather Keats

Red heavy rain warnings are issued for Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Northern Gisborne until Thursday afternoon. Video / Alyse Wright

Man missing after car swept down Auckland river

A man is missing after he was washed away while trying to cross the Mahurangi River, north of Auckland. Video / Jason Dorday

Finn Allen hammers record-breaking sixes as Perth reach Big Bash final

No player has ever hit more sixes in Australia's league than the Kiwi opener. Video / Sky Sport

NZ Herald Live: Chris Hipkins speaks to media

Chris Hipkins speaks to the media from the Labour's away caucus.

NZ Herald Live: Christopher Luxon announces election date

Christopher Luxon speaks to the media at the National Party caucus retreat

Red heavy rain warnings issued for parts of North Island

Tropical storm to hammer North Island with 250mm rain as state of emergency declared in Whangārei. Video / NZ Herald

Back to school - School lunches

Back to school: What should go in your child’s lunchbox - and what shouldn’t.

NZ Herald Headlines | Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Morning Headlines | More heavy rain on the way and Canadian PM's warning at World Economic Forum | Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Police swarm Auckland's Karangahape Road.

Police say one person has been taken into custody. Video / Supplied

Heavy rain, thunderstorms and flooding: Where is summer?

Niwa principal scientist, Chris Brandolino is with us to take us through what to expect, and when we might be able to put the sheets on the line.

MetService severe weather warning: January 20-21

MetService severe weather warning: January 20-21. Video / MetService

Nvidia's robotaxi partnership with Mercedes

AI giant Nvidia revealed a new automotive strategy at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Video / NVIDIA

Heavy rain and severe gales lash Auckland, Northland and Coromandel

Hundreds without power as heavy rain and severe gales lash Auckland, Northland and Coromandel.

NZ Herald Headlines | Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Morning Headlines | Concern about safety on buses, trains and ferries has sparked calls for a dedicated Transport Police force | Monday, January 20, 2026

'It's a joke' - Northland meth rehab struggles amid funding shortfalls

Northland has the country’s highest meth use per person in wastewater tests. Video / Annaleise Shortland / Michael Morrah

Back to school - Devices

Back to School - Parents juggling school device costs and screen time safety risks.

Video of dancing police at Ed Sheeran concert goes viral

These police officers were seen vibing along to Sheeran's hit Celestial at last Friday's Loop tour show in Auckland.

How a fight over Greenland could put Pacific nations in the firing line

Waikato University international law professor, Al Gillespie is with us to take us through what could happen next.

Waioeka Gorge slips and chopper airlift

Travellers through Waioeka Gorge on Friday got a close look as slips fell over the highway. Some people were airlifted out. Video / Fire and Emergency NZ | Joss Ruifrok

NZ Herald Headlines | Monday, January 19, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | PM's State of the Nation speech and concerns over rock pool harvesting | Monday, January 19, 2026

MetService Severe Weather Update: 19 - 22 January

MetService Severe Weather Update: 19 - 22 January. Video / MetService

NZ Herald Live: Christopher Luxon 2026 State of the Nation address

Christopher Luxon delivers his 2026 State of the Nation address

NZ Herald Headlines | Monday, January 19, 2026

Morning Headlines | PM will give his State of the Nation speech | Monday, January 19, 2026.

Watch Live: Christopher Luxon in studio with Mike Hosking

Watch Live: Christopher Luxon in studio with Mike Hosking. Video / NewstalkZB

Back to school - Uniforms

Back to School - How parents are cutting uniform costs.

'Epic' orca encounter off Coromandel coast

Teen diver Lexi Henderson came face to face with a pod of orca while diving at Castle Rock near Hot Water Beach. Video / Supplied

South Island Main Divide crossed in paraglider flight

Pilot Benjamin Kellet flew from Queenstown to Whataroa in a 10-and-a-half-hour journey covering 230km.

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Flooding in Northland, Trump applies Greenland tariff pressure

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Flooding in Northland, Trump applies Greenland tariff pressure, Tamaki denied access to Harbour Bridge for Destiny Church march. Video / NZ Herald

Helena Bay hit by heavy rain, flooding overnight in Northland

Helena Bay has been hit hard by heavy rain overnight in Northland. Video / Liv Patu

Back to school - Counting the Cost

Back to school costs: The real price of your child’s education

Foreign Minister Winston Peters shares some of his favourite gifts

One of the more unusual gifts Foreign Minister Winston Peters has received is a horse, which he named Stamina. Video / Mark Mitchell

ASB Classic men's final preview

NZ Herald tennis writer Michael Burgess looks ahead to the men's decider between third seed Jakub Mensik and seventh seed Sebastian Baez. Video / NZ Herald

NZ Herald Headlines | Saturday, January 17, 2026

NZ Herald Headlines | Saturday, January 17, 2026. US and European tensions rise as Trump threatens tariffs on opposition. Soundspalsh kicks off in Raglan this weekend.

Peter Burling reflects on finger injury as new SailGP season begins in Perth

Peter Burling speaks with NZME’s Christopher Reive in Perth as SailGP gears up for its sixth season.