NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Wednesday, February 18, 2026

'I'm so grateful': Zoi Sadowski-Synnott on her latest silver medal

Sadowski-Synnott is now NZ's most decorated Winter Olympian.

Should cafes and bars be able to sell booze on Easter?

Hospitality NZ chief executive reveals why they're pushing to legalise alcohol sales during Easter. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Fed Farmers: Wellington sewage spill stinks of double standards

Hospitality NZ chief executive reveals why they're pushing to legalise alcohol sales during Easter.

Children 'no safer' four years on from Malachi Subecz's death

Paediatrician Patrick Kelly on why vulnerable children are still falling through the cracks. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Ruakākā Beach vehicle use in spotlight in face of bylaw review

Should vehicles be allowed on beaches in this Northland town? Susan Botting reports.

Richard Leman murder trial: Witness says victim was shot twice by evil killer

A jury has heard a detailed account of Leman’s last moments at the trial for the man accused of his murder, Anna Leask reports. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Pharmac looks to fund two new leukaemia treatments

Blood Cancer Chief Executive Tim Edmonds says the treatments would typically cost patients upwards of $150,000 a year.

What the OCR decision means for Kiwis

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub on the Reserve Bank's decision to hold the OCR at 2.25%.

Government announces $80 million allocation for critical minerals development

Minister for Resources, Shane Jones reveals where the money will go. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

MetService Morning Weather Update: February 19

MetService Morning Weather Update: February 19. Video / MetService

Sport Headlines | Thursday, February 19, 2026

Sport Headlines | Sadowski-Synnott wins Olympic silver, Netball NZ calls in Kereyn Smith to rebuild its board, and Pakistan reaches | Thursday, February 19, 2026.

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Thursday, February 19, 2026

Morning Headlines | More needed to prevent dog attacks, grassroots approach to child abuse and shift in how economy operates | Thursday, February 19, 2026

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott claims slopestyle silver

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott added to her Olympic medal count with silver in the women's snowboard slopestyle in Italy.

Child Safety Review press conference

Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad, Independent Children's Monitor chief executive Arran Jones and Chief Ombudsman John Allen announce the latest review into children's safety.

How a Kiwi TV producer made a Hollywood escape amid fraud charges

Today on The Front Page, NZ Herald Media Insider Shayne Currie is with us to take us through the rise, and falls, of high-flying Kiwi producer Alex Breingan.

David Seymour responds to OCR announcement

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour responds to OCR announcement. Video / NZ Herald

Nicola Willis responds to OCR announcement

Finance Minister Nicola Willis responds to OCR announcement. Video / NZ Herald

RBNZ “don't want to scare the horses” with rate track; housing price growth subdued

Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold digests the RBNZ monetary policy statement with Herald NOW Business host Garth Bray.

Kaihu dog attack, community leader speaks out

A woman has died after a dog attack on Tuesday in the northland settlement of Kaihu. Video \ Jason Dorday

RBNZ expects ‘accommodative’ policy ‘for some time’

OCR steady at 2.25% with marginal indication of a lift before Christmas.

NZ Herald Live: Christchurch Mayor and Emergency Management Minister update on State of Emergency

Christchurch Mayor and Emergency Management Minister update on State of Emergency in Banks Peninsula. Video / RNZ

NZ Herald Live: Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman explains the OCR decision

Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman explains the decision to keep the Official Cash Rate at 2.25%.

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | Kids cut off at Banks Peninsula, review powers over aggressive dogs and police probe Tauranga man’s death | Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Landslip forces evacuations in Dunedin

Emergency crews are at the scene of a landslip in a residential Dunedin suburb, police were alerted to the slip on Belmont Lane in Musselburgh about 10.50am.

Oversight agencies release review, call for faster change to keep children safe

Oversight agencies release review, call for faster change to keep children safe. Video / NZ Herald

Kung fu robots in Beijing

China celebrates Lunar New Year with an impressive human and robot performance.

NZ Herald Live: Announcement of new Pharmac proposal for blood cancer patients

David Seymour and Simeon Brown announce new Pharmac proposal for blood cancer patients.

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 David Carter among farmers trapped by flooding

The former National 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