NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Friday, February 20, 2026

Fonterra puts forecast payout up to $9.50kg/ms, adds Mainland special dividend | Herald NOW

Business with Forsyth Barr: Fonterra narrows the range for the forecast farmgate milk price to $9.20-$9.80kg/ms and announces special dividend on Mainland FY25 earnings.

Home owner captures moment landslide hits property

The Stokes Valley home is unsafe to live in after the slip during this week's storm. Video / Supplied

The last dance: Splore festival to host its final event this weekend

Splore festival director John Minty talks to Ryan Bridge about the end of an era. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

High School punk band SEEK HELP! to open for Foo Fighters | Herald NOW

SEEKHELP! high school band have caught the attention of the Foo Fighters. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Should New Zealand regulate e-bike rules in order to protect children? | Herald NOW

Parenting specialist, Jo Robertson & BusinessDesk journalist, Dileepa Fonseka discuss regulating e-bikes in New Zealand, following NSW law changes. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Media Insider: MediaWorks radio stations primed for sale; top podcast loses a voice

Ryan Bridge speaks to Media Insider's Shayne Currie. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

‘The family will cooperate with police’

British journalist Dickie Arbiter speaks to Ryan Bridge about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Sports panel: Winter Olympics, Super Rugby crowds and T20 World Cup

Sports editors Cam McMillan and Winston Aldworth join Ryan Bridge to discuss this weekend’s sport. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

'Did you know english isn't an official language in New Zealand? Linguistics expert explains

The coalition governments putting through a bill to make english an official language in NZ. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

'Weather calming after week of sever storms: Your weekend weather with MetService | Herald NOW

MetService's Heather Keats on the weekend weather ahead. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Oil up on Trump’s ten-day Iran deadline, Xero restructure, Airbus cuts production target

Business with Forsyth Barr: Brent crude over US$71/barrel as US forces mass in Middle East, Xero targets Canadian engineers, Airbus drops A320 production target until end of 2027.

Facebook, Instagram and YouTube under scrutiny in landmark social media trial

Peter Griffin with the latest on the trial accusing social media giants of knowingly exposing children to harm. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Housing intensification, dog attacks and harbour bridge tolling

National's Paul Goldsmith and Willie Jackson go head to head on this week's issues. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest: Royal correspondent reveals details

Royal correspondent Gavin Grey joins the show live from Windsor. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

David Seymour fronts as Government backs down on its housing intensification plans | Herald NOW

Act Leader David Seymour fronts as Government backs down on its housing intensification plans. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Sport Headlines | Friday, February 20, 2026

Sport Headlines | Against-the-odds win for unbeaten Zimbabwe and basketball's Breakers end season in seventh | Friday, February 20, 2026

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Friday, February 20, 2026

Morning Headlines | Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested over misconduct and new density rules better fit for Auckland | Friday, February 20, 2026

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested by UK police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, UK public react to the arrest. Video / AFP

Bizzare video of students enduring hazing ritual

Students from the University of Iowa are shown being subjected to a strange hazing ritual. Video / UI Police

Auckland's housing plan is changing again. What will happen over your fence now?

Simon Wilson is with The Front Page to unpack the updated plans, the protests, and what it means for your backyard.

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Thursday, February 19, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | Prime Minister allays Harbour Bridge toll concerns and police operation underway in Christchurch | Thursday, February 19, 2026

Serial heckler interrupts Chris Bishop's Auckland housing speech

Vision NZ candidate Karl Mokaraka interrupts Housing Minister Chris Bishop's Auckland housing speech. Video / Dean Purcell

How to build a backyard granny flat now building consent rules have eased

G.J. Gardners' Matt Lelean on how to navigate the costs and regulations of adding a minor dwelling to your property. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Chris Bishop's U-turn on intensification plans for Auckland

Chris Bishop's U-turn on intensification plans for Auckland

Panel: Easter alcohol sales and the Reserve Bank

Dave Letele and Trish Sherson share their views on alcohol sales over Easter and the Reserve Bank’s role in the economy.

Auckland Airport narrows guidance on full year profit, Sky City first half lifts

Business with Forsyth Barr: Auckland International Airport lifts the floor on FY26 guidance to $295-320m, while Sky City posts a $12m first half NPAT.

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke speak about Black Foils SailGP crash

Live: Peter Burling and Blair Tuke speak about Black Foils SailGP crash

Will NZ back bid to see Putin in court?

Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs diplomat Mykola Yurlov talks about Ukraine's wish to see Putin face a war crime trial.

'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

Is the economy in the Goldilocks zone? Plus, XRO & FBU restructures, societies law deadline.

Business with Forsyth Barr: No scope mortgage rate rises; 250 Xero jobs head to Canada while Fletcher sweats its GMs, 1000’s of clubs may cease to exist legally after Easter.

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.