Day in photos - Monday 5th January

In photos: Cyclone Vaianu as it made landfall in North Island

New Zealand Herald visual journalists deployed around the North Island to cover Cyclone Vaianu as it made landfall. Here are their images.

2026 Auckland Easter Show, Auckland Showgrounds.

Taking place at the start of school holidays, the 2026 Easter Show from 3-6 April brings a massive line-up of entertainment, extreme sports, carnival rides,

In photos: Severe weather hits the North Island

Whangārei and Far North under a State of Emergency with flooding across Northland

In Photos: 2026 ASB Polyfest Captures Culture, Color and Community

Herald visual journalists Anna Heath and Corey Fleming captured the colour, culture and community at the 2026 ASB Polyfest in Manukau, Auckland.

Synthony Festival at Auckland Domain

New Zealand Herald visual journalist Jason Dorday captured the energy of the Synthony Festival at Auckland Domain, where an estimated 40,000 revellers filled the park.

Manu Championships 2026

Auckland hosted some of the best dive bombers in the world as the Manu World Champs reaches its climax in Wynyard Quarter.

Photos: Round the Bays Auckland race day

Thousands of runners, joggers, walkers and rollers tackle the 8.4km course along Tamaki Drive. Photos / Dean Purcell

Blood moon in pictures: Rare copper-red lunar show

The spectacular sight of a rare lunar eclipse graced southern skies overnight with the moon turning copper-red over the course of several hours.

Viva Street Style: University of Auckland Students Dressing

University students are crowding inner-city campuses and choosing clothing to express their interests. They explain the influences behind their style to Madeleine Crutchley. Story on NZ Herald / Viva

Rocky Horror Show opening night in Auckland

New Zealand’s grandmas and grandpas went off the rails during nearly two hours of fishnets and fabulousness at the opening of The Rocky Horror Show.

Firefighters battle large blaze in Onehunga, Auckland

Firefighters battle a large blaze in Onehunga, Auckland, as crews from across the region are called in to support efforts after the fire broke out around 8pm

2026 Auckland Pride Parade

New Zealand Herald visual journalist Anna Heath captured the vibrant 2026 Auckland Pride Parade on February 21, bringing Ponsonby Road to life with colour, celebration, and spirit.

Splore Festival 2024: The Final

Herald visual journalist Corey Fleming captured the final Splore Festival, marking the end of a cultural chapter at Tapapakanga Regional Park.

Firefighters battle blaze at Northcote College

A fire has broken out at Northcote College in Auckland amid the firefighters' strike.

Waitangi Day 2026 at Waitangi, Bay of Islands

New Zealand Herald visual journalists captured moving scenes at the 2026 Waitangi event in Waitangi, Bay of Islands.

Laneway Festival, Western Springs 2026

Tens of thousands of music fans flock to Laneway Festival at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland, soaking up live performances and vibrant festival vibes.

Photos: Iggy Pop performing at Spark Arena.

Herald visual journalist Sylvie Whinray photographed legendary punk icon Iggy Pop performing at Spark Arena.

Mount Maunganui Landslide

Herald photographers were deployed from Auckland to document the significant landslide that struck at the base of Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty on 22 January 2026, following record-breaking rainfall, that claimed six lives.

Tongariro Fire: Behind the Cordon

New Zealand Herald Visual Journalist Mike Scott spent days covering the two Tongariro fires, which tore through more than 3000ha of Tongariro National Park in November and December, both sparked by vehicles sending hot metal fragments into roadside vegetation.

Simon Dallow's 20+ year career at TVNZ

Simon Dallow, 61, joined TVNZ in 1993 after earlier working as a barrister. Across his tenure at TVNZ, he's worked on Newsnight, various news bulletins as well as fronting Agenda and Q+A before hosting the 6pm bulletin in 2006. He will step down on Friday evening.

Major blaze at a plastic recycling facility in Waiuku

New Zealand Herald visual journalist Hayden Woodward captured the scenes as dozens of fire crews descended on Waiuku township to battle a blaze that burned through the night.

German Air Force joins NZ Defence in major exercise

Herald visual journalist Michael Craig was invited aboard a Luftwaffe (German Air Force) A400M heavy-lift plane for an exercise flying out from the RNZAF Whenuapai airbase.

Pacific Championship: Tongan Fans Celebrate in Otahuhu

Thousands of Tongan fans descended onto Atkinson Ave and Great South Rd, turning the 650-metre strip bright red as they partied late into the night.

Electric bus catches fire after crashing into Auckland overpass

A bus has caught fire after getting stuck under an overpass at the Constellation Bus Terminal. Photos / Dean Purcell

Property in Te Aroha floods as river bursts following Cyclone Vaianu

Residents in Te Aroha battle the aftermath of Cyclone Vaianu as the overflowing river floods. Video / Supplied

High tide hits Mount Maunganui as residents and emergency services prepare for the worst

High tide hits Mount Maunganui as residents and emergency services prepare for the worst of Cyclone Vaianu. Video / Alyse Wright

NZ Herald Afternoon News Update | Cyclone Vaianu hits peak, infrastructure projects concern

NZ Herald Afternoon News Update | Cyclone Vaianu hits peak, infrastructure projects concern, call to reassess transport strategy. Video / NZ Herald

Widespread flooding isolates Thames township

SH25 into Thames has been cut off by flooding as Cyclone Vaianu moves across the North Island, with NZDF Unimogs deployed to the region. Video / NZ Herald