The Country
  • The Country home
  • Latest news
  • Audio & podcasts
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life
  • Listen on iHeart radio

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • Coast & Country News
  • Opinion
  • Dairy farming
  • Sheep & beef farming
  • Horticulture
  • Animal health
  • Rural business
  • Rural technology
  • Rural life

Media

  • Podcasts
  • Video

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whāngarei
  • Dargaville
  • Auckland
  • Thames
  • Tauranga
  • Hamilton
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Tokoroa
  • Te Kuiti
  • Taumurunui
  • Taupō
  • Gisborne
  • New Plymouth
  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Dannevirke
  • Whanganui
  • Palmerston North
  • Levin
  • Paraparaumu
  • Masterton
  • Wellington
  • Motueka
  • Nelson
  • Blenheim
  • Westport
  • Reefton
  • Kaikōura
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Christchurch
  • Ashburton
  • Timaru
  • Wānaka
  • Oamaru
  • Queenstown
  • Dunedin
  • Gore
  • Invercargill

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Vera Alves
NZ Herald Planning Editor and Herald on Sunday columnist

NZ Herald Planning Editor and Herald on Sunday columnist

We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

Check out Vera’s latest content
'I'll give it a go': Election candidate has no policies, will 'make something up later'
The Country

'I'll give it a go': Election candidate has no policies, will 'make something up later'

02 Aug 01:58 AM
Family 'heartbroken' after horse dies from poisoning
The Country

Family 'heartbroken' after horse dies from poisoning

06 Jul 02:33 AM

The owner says she doesn't think there was any malice but has issued a plea to people.

'True Kiwi spirit': Distillery offering free sanitiser to local community and businesses
The Country

'True Kiwi spirit': Distillery offering free sanitiser to local community and businesses

21 Mar 11:21 PM

Distillery finds its own unique way to help the local community.

Kiwi mum reveals death threats for taking children hunting
The Country

Kiwi mum reveals death threats for taking children hunting

16 Nov 11:02 PM

Mum-of-three says she wishes her haters nothing but happiness.

Meet Max, the swimming dog who thinks he's a fish
The Country

Meet Max, the swimming dog who thinks he's a fish

11 Oct 06:40 AM

Boaties are asked to look out for Max, who often swims as far as 200m out to sea.

Goats just want to see you happy, science finds
The Country

Goats just want to see you happy, science finds

30 Aug 03:40 AM

Goats prefer it when you smile.

Meet Lucy, the Tauranga lamb, who thinks she's a dog
The Country

Meet Lucy, the Tauranga lamb, who thinks she's a dog

21 Aug 02:10 AM

Lucy's 10-year-old owner has ADHD and has benefited from teaching her new tricks.

Stop calling it 'craft': Notes towards a good beer
The Country

Stop calling it 'craft': Notes towards a good beer

13 Sep 03:25 AM

Craft brewers would like you to stop using the c-word, actually.

Five Kiwi beers to try despite their label
The Country

Five Kiwi beers to try despite their label

23 Aug 12:03 AM

An unassuming beer label can sometimes hide a delicious beverage.

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP