NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Thursday, February 26, 2026

The end of the Kiwi drinking culture?

With alcohol consumption down 8.4%, we find out why people are drinking less. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Moebius syndrome: Auckland influencer Tayla Clement on living without a smile

Tayla Clement, 28, is an influencer, model, and athlete with Moebius syndrome, causing facial paralysis. Clement was born with the condition, which means she cannot smile.

Daily panel: Cash; Coward punches and workplace bullying

GirlBoss CEO Alexia Hilbertidou and BBM founder Dave Letele debate the top stories of the day. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

'Practical' changes to let kids legally ride on footpaths

Transport Minister Chris Bishops talks bus lanes, bikes on footpaths, and why the Government wants to change the road rules. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Why it takes so long to sell a house, and how to speed things up

OneRoof's Catherine Smith says leaky homes, lack of parking, or bad neighbours could be warding off buyers.

Kiwi start-up Wayve helping take Uber's robo-taxis to London

Wayve co-founder Alex Kendall on the Kiwi tech behind Uber's self-driving cars, set to rollout in London in the near future.

Epstein files: Fresh Trump accusations

Donald Trump has been accused of sexually abusing a minor in missing Epstein files. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Northland local says Christopher Luxon must do more in wake of dog attacks

Northland Local Democracy Reporter Susan Botting joins Ryan Bridge TODAY.

Reserve Bank pushes for banks provide cash services to customers

The Reserve Bank wants to introduce more ATMs – ideally within walking distance if you’re in an urban area.

NZ national cybersecurity strategy overdue; Hegseth threatens to draft Claude; Ōhakea 24-7

Business with Forsyth Barr: NZ download new security cert, cyberstrat out of date; Anthropic blinks in US Defence showdown; Ōhakea will be emergency standby for civil aviation.

Customer abuse of hospitality and tourism workers nearly doubles in just a year

Study co-author David Williamson reveals why bullying has spiked in hospitality and tourism. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Barrister weighs in on the Hauraki Gulf political stoush

Chris Finlayson reveals who's on stronger legal ground amid the Hauraki Gulf debate. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

UFC coach calls for tougher coward punch penalties | Herald NOW

Eugene Bareman explains why coward punch offenders need tougher punishments. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Winston Peters: 'High potential' for war between U.S and Iran

Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has placed travel bans on some Iranian ministers.

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Thursday, February 26, 2026

Morning Headlines | Expert slams Reserve Bank plan, Covid inquiry phase two report delivered today and dairy sector delivers record year | Thursday, February 26, 2026

MetService weather: February 26, 2026

MetService weather: February 26, 2026. Video / MetService

Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra see New Zealand to come-from-behind T20 World Cup win

The Black Caps have one foot in the semifinals of the Twenty20 World Cup, after completing one the great come-from-behind wins, against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Video / Sky Sports

MetService weather: February 26, 2026

MetService weather: February 26, 2026. Video / MetService

Is it time for New Zealand to go cashless? The Reserve Bank says no

NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenée Tibshraeny joins The Front Page to discuss why cash might be here to stay.

MetService afternoon weather update: February 25 - March 2

MetService afternoon weather update: February 25 - March 2. Video / MetService

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Wednesday, February 25, 2026

NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Government weighs response to cyber attacks and Greens co-leader rules out Winston Peters | Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Watch: Wellington Mayor Andrew Little swims at Lyall Bay

The mayor took a swim to prove it was safe to go back in the water after a catastrophic sewage spill. Video / Janhavi Gosavi

NZ Herald Live: Andrew Little update on Wellington sewage spill

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little gives an update on the Wellington sewage spill. Video / RNZ

Strong winds lift Meridian first-half, EBOS picks cash-flow step-up, more flying into CHC

Business with Forsyth Barr: Mother Nature boosts Meridian Energy margin 59%, EBOS charts 13% revenue growth, Christchurch Airport international passenger numbers up 15%.

MPs to consider tougher privacy rules

Labour MP Ayesha Verrall speaks to Ryan Bridge about the push to introduce tougher privacy rules. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Career adviser on how to bounce back after redundancy

My Career Brand's Craig McAlpine joins Herald NOW. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Cyber security, vaping health and Luxons outfit

Political commentator Lara Greaves and The Elephant vodcast co-host Mark Crysell join Ryan Bridge on todays panel. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

CPR performed on seagull after being hit by ball at Turkey football match

A footballer acted on a wing and a prayer when he gave emergency CPR to a seagull after it was hit by a ball during a match in Istanbul this week - reviving the bird.

Inside Radisson RED Auckland, The City’s Most Theatrical New Hotel

A design-led hotel bringing theatre, art, skyline views and a creative hub to Auckland city.

Entertainment: Tourette’s and the Baftas

Chief entertainment reporter, Jenni Mortimer unpacks the BAFTA's tourettes saga. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Sun-ripened flavour, grown in NZ - Webbs Orchard

How growers and grocers get fruit from tree to table in days.

Sun-ripened flavour, grown in NZ - Panmure Orchards

How growers and grocers get fruit from tree to table in days.

'Our focus is not politicising this incident': Director of Medimap speaks on data breach

Director of Medimap Geoffrey Sayer joins Ryan Bridge today to discuss the latest health data breach.

Do vapes actually help smokers quit? ASH Chair Robert Beaglehole responds

ASH responds following concerns that thousands of free vapes are being handed out to smokers despite low success rates. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Landlords wary over Labour's plans for interest deductibility

NZ Property Investors Federation's Matt Ball joins Herald NOW. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

'Lack of understanding': PPTA speaks on Govt's education announcement

Post Primary Teachers' Association president Chris Abercrombie joins Ryan Bridge Today to discuss the Government's rolling out of new science and maths packs in schools.

Christchurch cancer-fraud-accused Nicola Flint arrested in Wales after police search family home

A Christchurch woman accused of cancer fraud has been arrested after going on the run, Claire Sherwood reports. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Cybersecurity MediMap hack

David Seymour and cybersecurity expert Adam Burns discuss the MediMap hack.

Some townhouses no longer ‘new builds’, Taranaki bid to maintain NZSAS vehicle fleet

Business with Forsyth Barr: Slow sales may cost some townhouse developments their ‘new build’ status, another AI chips-for-shares deal, Supacat signs MOU with Taranaki Alliance.

Young people slipping through the cracks when it comes to mental health, new data shows

Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission data shows more young people are experiencing mental health distress, but fewer are seeing professionals for help. Video / Ryan Bridge Today