South Island news wrap: A push for passenger rail and the final piece of the Te Kaha puzzle

Jevon McSkimming gets home detention for child sex abuse image scandal

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has been sentenced to nine months home detention for possessing objectionable material.

MetService afternoon weather update: 17 December

MetService afternoon weather update: 17 December. Video / MetService

NZ Herald Headlines | Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Afternoon Headlines | Historic land dispute settled, police appoint new deputy commissioner, Rob Reiner’s son charged with murder | Wednesday, December 17, 2025

South Island news wrap: A push for passenger rail and the final piece of the Te Kaha puzzle

Newstalk ZB's Claire Sherwood reveals the latest push for passenger rail down south.

Hydrofoil boat tours arrive on Lake Taupō

Taupō is set to become one of the only places in the world to offer electric hydrofoiling tourism.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ might be the last

Chief entertainment reporter Jenni Mortimer joins Michael Morrah to discuss the future of Avatar and meeting James Cameron at the premiere.

Herald NOW panel: Gun laws, ministerial portfolios, do's and dont's for Christmas gifts

The Herald NOW panel discuss the big issues of the day.

SailGP returns to Auckland for 2026

SailGP head of events, Alex Corry, joins Michael Morrah to discuss SailGP 2026.

Inside Australia’s terrorism threat environment

Prof. Greg Barton on lone-actor violence, radicalisation, and the difficulty of preventing attacks.

Personal finance with Forsyth Barr: Investing in 2026

Forsyth Barr's Mark Richardson looks ahead to the new year with all the best investment tips.

"Very cute young ladies” used to target older investors; Bream Bay sand mine plan, dairy down.

Business with 2degrees: Chance Voight probe continues, dairy prices fall, Bream Bay sandmining challenged, Breman keeps pressure on mortgage rates, Willis pushes surplus out again.

From cleaning to lighting: Christmas tech hacks you need to know

Gorilla Technology's Paul Spain reveals all the latest Christmas tech helpers.

Governments books bleaker than predicted: Economist reveals what it actually means

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub joins Herald NOW to unpack the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update.

Nicola Willis reveals plan to get budget surplus back on track

Finance Minister Nicola Willis reveals the governments plan to reach budget surplus.

Catastrophic failure' allowed Bondi attacker to hold gun license

Professor Al Gillespie says mistakes were made in allowing Bondi gunmen access to firearms.

Political Panel: gun laws and Seymour's plan to reignite treaty debate

Marama Davidson and David Seymour debate the big stories out of parliament.

MetService Daily Weather: December 17 2025

MetService Daily Weather: December 17 2025. Video / MetService

NZ Herald Sport News Update | Tim Seifert snapped up by Kolkata Night Riders

NZ Herald Sport News Update | Tim Seifert snapped up by Kolkata Night Riders, Labour court orders Paris St Germain to pay Kylian Mbappe unpaid salary and bonuses.

NZ Herald Headlines | Wednesday December 17, 2025

Morning Headlines | Judge overturns local voting result, Bondi attack highlights Islamic State threat, and bill to overhaul electoral rules | Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Kea Kids News: Sretan Božić! Celebrating Christmas Croatian-style

Reporter Hjalmar visits the Croatian Cultural Society of New Zealand, where Christmas comes alive with festive performances, dancing, and vibrant traditional outfits.

Reserve Bank Governor explains why she talked down the market

Reserve Bank Governor Dr Anna Breman does her first interview with the Herald, just over a fortnight into the job. Video / Mark Mitchell

Watch: Ministers announce a new ministry merger

Several ministers have fronted to explain why the Government is merging various ministries into one. Video / Mark Mitchell

Bondi Terror: How the attack unfolded

Australian PM says the father & son terror suspects were radicalised by beliefs associated with the Islamic State militant group.

MetService afternoon weather update: 16 December

MetService afternoon weather update: 16 December. Video / MetService

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Tuesday December 16, 2025

Afternoon Headlines | Father-son terror link to go under microscope and US offers Ukraine major security support | Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Watch: Finance Minister Nicola Willis outines details of latest economic forecasts

The Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update has been released. Video / Mark Mitchell

Watch: Luxon on his meeting with the Jewish community

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon describes his meeting with the Jewish community last night. Video / Mark Mitchell

Travel to the US set to change

Lorna Riley talks travel with Herald NOW: US travel changes, gifts for travel lovers, and cruise ship season is here.

Major building fire in Wiri, Auckland.

Firefighters have contained a large blaze at a building facility on Roscommon Rd in Wiri this morning. Video / Supplied / NZ Herald

'Does mānuka honey potentially come at a cost to our native insects and ecosystems?

Landcare Reserch entomologist, Corrinne Watts joins Herald NOW to discuss concerning mānuka honey research. Video / Herald Now

Tech Talk with Noel Leeming: best gadgets to gift this Christmas

Noel Leeming's CEO Jason Bell shares the gadgets on wishlists this Christmas, and how you can win them.

Herald NOW panel: Chippy, the sexy Kiwi accent and humanoid robots

The Herald NOW panel discuss the big issues of the day. Featuring Lara Greaves and Damien Light. Video / Herald NOW

Breman puts banks on notice over lending rate, services sector slips, Paysauce expands to Oz

Business with 2degrees: RBNZ’s Anna Breman moves to nip wholesale rate rises in the bud, PSI dips to 46.9, $4m raise as Paysauce targets Australian micro-businesses.

'Fush and chups': Surprising new research on the evolution of the NZ accent

Linguist Brooke Ross joins Herald NOW to discuss the evolution of the New Zealand accent.

Darts player Cameron Menzies cuts hand after punching table three times

The Scotsman lost his temper following first-round defeat by debutant Charlie Manby in World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Video Sky Sport

Hipkins on his biggest mistakes: we were trying to do too many things

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins joins Herald NOW for his final weekly spot of 2025.

New Zealand Jewish Community "shocked but not surprised" by Bondi terror attack

Juliet Moses tells Michael Morrah she's shocked and disgusted, but not completely surprised.

'Bondi Terror Attack: 'Australia is rallying together'

Channel 10 reporter Emma Olsen with the latest following the Bondi terror attack.

NZ Herald Headlines | Tuesday December 16, 2025

Morning Headlines | Jewish council urges leaders to reflect, warning over alpine dangers and Rob Reiner’s son in custody | Tuesday December 16, 2025

MetService weather: 16 December

MetService weather: 16 December. Video / MetService