NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Tuesday, February 18, 2026

Luca Harrington sixth in big air final

The Kiwi freeskier started strong but fell short of the podium. Video / Sky Sports

Fletchers anticipates a tough year ahead, Spark cost-out lifts first-half profit

Business with Forsyth Barr: Fletcher Building sees ‘meaningful recovery’ - in 2027 as it drives net debt down; Spark grows mobile revenue, shrinks costs $51m.

‘Top Model’ documentary and Robert Duvall’s passing

Lifestyle and entertainment reporter Jenni Mortimer discusses the latest entertainment news. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Daily panel: Should influencer mountain climbers be banned?

Deb Pead and Chelsea Daniels discuss the top stories of the day. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Are aliens real? Cosmology expert weighs in

Auckland University's Richard Easther on whether there is life beyond Earth.

Economist: OCR likely to hold

Principal economist Brad Olsen previews today's OCR decision.

'We haven't set the amount yet': Chris Bishop on potential tolls for a new Auckland harbour crossing

The Infrastructure Minister says toll charges are set to be set. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Life as a researcher on one of the most remote islands: Antipodes

Forget summer barbecue, UOA researcher Jamie Darby spent his summer on a subantarctic island. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

'300mm of rain in 24 hours': Sir Chris Carter among farmers trapped by flooding

The former Labour MP and Speaker has been cut off by flooding.

60 school students, staff stranded in Akaroa

South Island Newstalk ZB director Claire Sherwood reports that the class is still stuck.

Butter up; where are interest rates headed, and will Paramount’s new WBD bid measure up?

Business with Forsyth Barr: Dairy commodities recover from Q4 dip; sticky inflation weighs on RBNZ forward rates path; Netflix gives WBD a week to consider new Paramount offer.

'I accept it's a problem': Political panel on our need for stronger dog-control laws

Marama Davidson and David Seymour debate infrastructure; toll roads; and dog control laws.

Christchurch mayor reveals latest on Banks Peninsula state of emergency

Christchurch has been lashed by heavy rain, cutting off Banks Peninsula locals. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Would you pay $9 to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge?

New Zealand Infrastructure Commission's CEO on the financial pressures of infrastructure projects in New Zealand.

MetService Morning Weather Update: February 18

MetService Morning Weather Update: February 18. Video / MetService

Sport Headlines | Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Sport Headlines | Australia knocked out of T20 World Cup, Auckland FC draw 1-all with Sydney in football's A-league | Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Video / NZ Herald

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Tuesday, February 18, 2026

Morning Headlines | Banks Peninsula floods second time in a year and warning toll roads need careful planning | Tuesday, February 18, 2026

OpenStar levitates half-tonne magnet in step toward 'near limitless' power

Wellington start-up OpenStar has made the first public demonstration of its technology, putting it on the path toward nuclear fusion. Video / Tony Meinen

Character Coalition: Build on empty sites before knocking down villas

The Character Coalition has identified a "dirty dozen" sites ripe for intensification that could be built without touching inner-city special character areas. Video / Michael Craig

Canadian teenager stuns Black Caps with T20 World Cup century

Yuvraj Samra, 19, had the Kiwi bowlers at his mercy in Chennai. Video / Sky Sport

National infrastructure plan: Too much new, not enough maintenance

New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Chief Executive Geoff Cooper joins The Front Page to discuss what's going wrong with NZ's spending.

Farmers clear landslip on 'hammered' rural Rangitīkei road

Local farmers cleared a landslip on Turakina Valley Rd near Taihape after 20 cars became stuck behind it. Video / Sophie Hurley

MetService severe weather warning

MetService severe weather warning: February 16-20. Video / MetService

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | More sewage flows into Wellington ocean and heavy rain drenches Christchurch | Tuesday, February 17, 2026

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: The brains and brilliance behind the iconic event

Mitchell Hageman speaks to REMT creative director Alan Lane and this season's Lone Piper about making magic on the castle forecourt and beyond.

Six60 surprise serenade in Auckland Airport departures lounge

Travellers at Auckland Airport got a surprise as Six60 performed in the departures hall and used the PA system to share farewell messages.

Got a spare $18 million? Te Arai Links golf estate up for sale

The first property on the exclusive Te Arai Links golf estate is up for sale on the open market. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Travel Tips: Sin City gets a makeover, Dengue fever in the Cook Islands

Lorna Riley talks sports tourism destinations, Las Vegas' new look, and a warning to those travelling to the Cook Islands on Ryan Bridge TODAY.

Daily panel: Will the social media ban work; and should we ditch NZ Super?

Tim Wilson and Moana Mase discuss the top stories of the day. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Wellington weather: Colossal wave recorded overnight, thousands still without power

Melissa Nightingale has the latest on the Wellington weather system.

Social media ban: Hui underway to deliver bill before November election

Triple P Positive Parenting's Jackie Riach says New Zealand needs a holistic approach to address social media harm. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Should we ditch NZ super?

Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong says the party wants to replace super with a new support system. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Hard drive shortage hikes device cost

Business of Tech podcast host Peter Griffin talks about the latest tech updates.

'I never saw this as a career': Hamish Kerr on winning the Supreme Halberg Award

Hamish Kerr and coach James Sandiland snagged the top prizes at the Halberg Awards. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Serious crash Glen Eden

The Serious Crash Unit investigates a head-on crash on Great North Rd, Glen Eden.

Do we have a $200b infrastructure deficit?

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins joins Ryan Bridge TODAY.

Wuthering fights! Will Picton ferry terminal budget blow out $436m? Plus, Paramount-Warners latest

Business with Forsyth Barr: NorthSouth Express clash with Ferry Holdings; Mastercard Agent Pay may queue for you; Paramount plays Heathcliff to wrest Warners from Netflix.

Mayor criticises vandalism of Rakaia fish statue

Rakaia's iconic salmon statue has been defaced by Greenpeace protesters. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Contact energy reports soaring profits, hints at price hikes| Herald NOW

Consumer NZ's Jon Duffy reveals what's behind the rising power prices. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

New border tax on offshore goods unfair, Freightways says

Freightways chief executive Mark Troughear says the new border tax is unfairly applied.