Middle East conflict wrap: 12 March 2026

Middle East conflict wrap: 12 March 2026

Iran has stepped up strikes on shipping and infrastructure, hitting two foreign oil tankers. Video / AFP, X, NZ Herald

Fire breaks out at University of Auckland law school building

Fire crews rushed to the University of Auckland after a blaze broke out on the second floor of a law school building. Video / Cameron Pitney

Air NZ is cutting flights. When should we start to worry?

Aviation journalist Grant Bradley is with The Front Page to take a look at the current situation, and crises past – and whether air travel will ever be the same.

NZ Herald Headlines | Thursday March 12, 2026

Afternoon Headlines | Talleys caught up in Middle East shipping disruptions and unprecedented times for aviation | Thursday March 12, 2026

Music, War and Stolen Children: Ukrainian-Canadian group 'Daughters of Donbas' perform in Auckland

Lead by war correspondent Marichka, 'Daughters on Donbas' are on tour with the ultimate goal of performing at the Hague. Video / NZ Herald

Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi speaks to media

Te Tai Tokerau MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi speaks to media. Video / RNZ

MetService severe weather update: March 12

MetService severe weather update: Heavy rain watches and risk of thunderstorms. Video / MetService

Foreign buyers: Is there a shortage of $5m-plus homes in NZ?

OneRoof data reveals slim pickings for golden visa holders lining up to buy a slice of New Zealand. OneRoof's Catherine Smith joins Herald NOW. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Air NZ's financial woes | Herald NOW

Dave Letele and Louise Wallace join the panel to discuss Air NZ's financial issues. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

PPTA warns student attendance under threat due to lack of counsellors

Secondary school principals are urging the govt to reconsider charter schools following a report recommending more school counsellors. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

NZ dairy sector in for another bumper season, early indicators show

Dairy sector outlook; NZ fertiliser supply stable amid Iran war. BusinessDesk's Riley Kennedy joins Herald NOW for a rural round-up. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Fighting back against high-rises in Auckland suburbs | Herald NOW

Character Coalition's Sally Hughes says villas in the likes of Mt Eden & Ponsonby are 'unique in the world'. Video Ryan Bridge TODAY

Leaked documents show staff outrage over NZ Cricket board's handling of CEO departure | Herald NOW

Staff believe CEO Scott Weenink was 'pushed out' over T20 private series decision, a leaked internal staff survey reveals. Shayne Currie joins Herald NOW. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Heinz Wattie’s closure to affect 350 jobs

E tū director Finn O’Dwyer-Cunliffe talks to Ryan Bridge about the Heinz Wattie’s closure. Video / Ryan Bridge, TODAY

What next for the Middle East war? | Herald NOW

University of Waikato professor Al Gillespie joins Ryan Bridge to discuss what is happening with the Middle East war. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

"Affordability of air travel is under a lot of pressure."

Air NZ CEO Nikhil Ravishankar says they can't pass on all costs from oil issues to customers. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

MetService morning weather update: March 12

MetService morning weather update: March 12. Video / MetService

Sport Headlines | Thursday, March 12, 2026

Sport Headlines | Kalyn Ponga is set to play for New Zealand at league's World Cup and Fifa says the Iranian team will be welcome to compete in the US | Thursday, March 12, 2026

NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Thursday, March 12, 2026

Morning Headlines | International Energy Agency agrees to release oil reserves and Erica Stanford frustrated Lake Alice survivors don't have answers | Thursday, March 12, 2026

Rotorua Supper Club 2026

A record total of $172,000 was raised at the Rotorua Supper Club event. Video / Kelly Makiha

Truck fire closes State Highway 1 north of Silverdale, Auckland

Firefighters have contained a truck fire on State Highway 1 carrying dog food supplies that caught fire north of Silverdale shortly after 1:30am. Video / NZ Herald

Middle East conflict wrap: 11 March 2026

Donald Trump has claimed US forces have destroyed 10 Iranian mine-laying vessels after reports Iran began deploying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Video / Getty / AFP

Herald NOW Business with Garth Bray

Join Herald NOW Business with Garth Bray live from 6.30 - 7 am weekdays starting Monday, March 16, here on nzherald.co.nz

Labour MP Peeni Henare departing Parliament

Senior Labour MP Peeni Henare is retiring after a busy 12 years as a politician. Video / Mark Mitchell

Stanford frustrated over Lake Alice data breach

Minister Erica Stanford frustrated over delays in Lake Alice data breach review. Video / Mark Mitchell

How vulnerable is New Zealand to a global oil shock?

Economist and publisher of The Kākā, Bernard Hickey is with The Front Page to talk about the oil crisis – and what New Zealand should do next.

MetService afternoon weather update: March 11 2025

Rain is expected at both ends of the country on Thursday. Video / MetService

When did Christopher Luxon return to work during holiday period ?

The first entry in his diary is January 19. Video / Mark Mitchell

One dead after car crashes into cafe

One person has died after a car crashed into William Souter Espresso cafe in Forrest Hill.

US forces strike multiple Iranian naval vessels

The US Central Command has released footage of the military destroying multiple Iranian naval ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Video / U.S. Central Command

Winston Peters discusses sale of Air NZ | Ryan Bridge Today

The Foreign Minister spoke to Ryan Bridge after the national airline suspended its earnings guidance. Video / Ryan Bridge Today

Who are the frontrunners for the Oscars?

Chief entertainment reporter Jenni Mortimer talks about the upcoming Oscars. Video / Ryan Bridge, TODAY

How to stand out in the world of AI slop

My careers brand founder Craig McAlpine explains how to stand out in a world of AI. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Daily panel with Rob Campbell and Chelsea Daniels | Herald NOW

Economist Rob Campbell and The Front Page host Chelsea Daniels talk flight prices, AI cover letters and a Crusaders punch-up. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

South Island wrap: Mosque shooting inquest appeal; Christchurch Hospital under pressure

The latest South Island news with Newstalk ZB's Claire Sherwood.

Severe winds, heavy rain expected as tropical storm approaches Northand | Herald NOW

Wild weather will lash the country this week, with alerts already in place for parts of North Island. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Simeon Brown on Air New Zealand, Covid inquiry

Minister of Health Simeon Brown talks Air New Zealand and the Covid inquiry with Ryan Bridge. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

What does the market volatility mean for your KiwiSaver? | Herald NOW

Forsyth Barr senior investment adviser Brad Gordon joins Herald NOW | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Oil futures drop 10%; Dow and S&P 500 up | Herald NOW

BusinessDesk's Dileepa Fonseka talks oil, Iran, and the functionality of the Hormuz Strait. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

David Seymour vs Chlöe Swarbrick: Airline prices, Iran conflict and Covid inquiry

David Seymour and Chlöe Swarbrick go head to head on the big issues of the day. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY