NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Friday, March 6, 2026

National plunges to lowest poll as governing party in decades

NZ Herald political editor, Thomas Coughlan, is on The Front Page to break down what the numbers mean, and who could be on the chopping block.

National sinks to lowest result in four years in new poll

Friday’s poll was the worst result for National in the Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll since 2021, the year the poll began. The next worst was 29.6%, which it received last year.

Trailer: Run - Robyn Malcolm and George Mason thriller series

Run tells the story of Australia's most notorious bank robber Brenden Abbott aka. ‘The Postcard Bandit’. Video / TVNZ+

MetService afternoon weather update: March 6

Afternoon weather update: A fine start to the weekend. Video / MetService

Dubai war chaos: Kiwi couple spend $30k fleeing as flights cancelled

A Kiwi couple who have travelled approximately 15,000 km to escape airstrikes in Dubai say airlines are charging extortionate prices to those travelling out of the region.

US House votes down bid to rein in Trump's Iran war powers

The US House of Representatives on Thursday rejected an effort to curb Donald Trump's authority to wage war against Iran. Video / AFP

TVNZ's dividend, CEO opens up on new TVNZ+, pay-TV plans

Media Insider's Shayne Currie sits down with TVNZ CEO Jodi O'Donnell. Video / Sylvie Whinray

Auckland hosts four big sporting events: league, horse racing, rugby and football | Herald NOW

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing CEO Paul Wilcox speaks about Auckland hosting four big sporting events: league, horse racing, rugby and football. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

The crime stats stoush: TVNZ board, CEO and the Minister

NZ Herald Editor-In-Chief Shayne Currie on a drama-filled week for TVNZ. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

What's happening this weekend in sports

The Warriors kick off their season and Liam Lawson is back on the track. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Panellists discuss National's poll results and US butter being sold in NZ | Herald NOW

Panellists discuss National's poll results and US butter being sold in NZ. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Heather Keats with your weekend weather

Will the cold snap be sticking around? Heather Keats with your weekend weather. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

US butter vs NZ butter. Politicians conduct taste test

WIllie Jackson and Paul Goldsmith do a blind taste test on US butter and NZ butter. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Jet fuel spikes, crude rises; Gisborne firm grapples with Gulf disruption | Herald NOW

Business with Forsyth Barr: Advanced materials manufacturer Pultron deals with Gulf shipping delays.  Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Damaging poll for National tipped for release

National responds to poll set to show the party sitting around 28%. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Why is NZ importing butter from the US? | Herald NOW

American butter is hitting Pak'nSave shelves. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Judith Collins speaks about Iran, extremism and political polls

Judith Collins joins Ryan Bridge to talk about Iran, extremism and political polls. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

TrackStars: A Herald journalist gets put through their paces

After a lesson from Dame Valerie Adams and 400m record holder Lex Revell-Lewis, Mitchell Hageman finds out what it takes to be the best. Video / Alyse Wright

Sport Headlines | Friday, March 6, 2026

Sport Headlines | Coach Craig Bellamy's record 23 straight wins and Hamish Kerr will miss the indoor world championships | Friday, March 6, 2026

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Friday, March 6, 2026

Morning Headlines | Middle East fears won't cut it for insurance cover and Government eyes easing medicinal cannabis export rules| Friday, March 6, 2026

MetService morning weather update: March 6

MetService morning weather update: March 6. Video / MetService

Middle East conflict wrap: 5 March 2026

Conflict between the US, Israel and Iran doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon.

Long queues for petrol amid Middle East conflict

Waitomo Tinakori petrol station in Wellington today showed a massive queue of cars waiting for fuel, with vehicles spilling out onto the road.

"He's trying to screw me" Mayor Wayne Brown on David Seymour and map-gate

In an interview with Newstalk ZB last night, Brown claimed the Act leader was “trying to screw me”. Video / Newstalk ZB

How Rennie’s people-first style could reshape the All Blacks

NZ Herald senior sports journalist and rugby correspondent, Liam Napier is with The Front Page to unpack the past, present and future of the ‘man with mana’, Dave Rennie.

The supermarket where no one pays, but everyone leaves with dignity

As cost-of-living pressures continue, Wellington City Mission’s social supermarket is marking five years of providing food support built on dignity, choice and partnership.

Watch: Act's David Seymour responds to criticism from Auckland Mayor

Wayne Brown was critical of Seymour's approach to housing planning. Video / Mark Mitchell

Jamie Joseph reacts after missing out on All Blacks head coach role

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph speaks after missing out on the All Blacks head coaching role, saying the race was “tight” and backing Dave Rennie to succeed. Video \ Ben Tomsett

US butter on New Zealand shelves

Dairyworks trials low-cost American butter on New Zealand shelves. Video / Alyse Wright

Fire in Bethlehem, Tauranga

Emergency services at the scene of a fire in Bethlehem, Tauranga.

Police probe cause of fatal Ōtāhuhu sleepout fire

Police are working to establish the cause of a fatal sleepout fire at a South Auckland property. Video \ Anna Heath

Fire and police at house fire in Auckland's Ponsonby

Senior station officer Michael Manning talks to the Herald about a house fire in Tawariki St, Ponsonby. Video \ Jason Dorday

Hunua Quarry expansion sought

Winstone Aggregates wants fast-track consent to expand the Hunua Quarry. Video / Winstone Aggregates

Large fire breaks out in Ponsonby

Video of the fire just after 10am showed a large plume of grey smoke coming from a property. Video / Supplied

Big stink in Titirangi

Roc Brady has a hangover from the 2023 floods – fined for repairs to a driveway, and still waiting for a sewer pipe fix. Video / Ken Turner

Liam Lawson's anxiety over 2026 F1 changes

Racing Bulls' Kiwi driver sat down with the Herald before the season opener in Melbourne.

Black Caps to play in T20 World Cup final | Herald NOW

Newstalk ZB Sports reporter Andrew Alderson joins Ryan Bridge to discuss the Black Caps making the T20 World Cup final. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Panel: All Blacks, portable pools and suspected drug money

Media specialist Carmen Parahi and BBM Motivation founder Dave Letele discuss today's issues. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

MetService morning weather update: March 5

MetService morning weather update: March 5. Video / MetService

Property Advice: How to negotiate with a seller who needs a reality check | Herald NOW

Andrew Duncan reveals the biggest mistakes buyers make after a reasonable offer is rejected. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY