The New Zealand Herald
Will Paul Henry get past the first Act?
Paul Henry was at ease when he stepped into the limelight on the rooftop terrace of Auckland’s QT hotel yesterday as Act leader David Seymour announced him as the party’s newest candidate. Perhaps his ease was due to the fact that despite retiring...
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Questions over MP super scheme
The generosity of the superannuation scheme enjoyed by New Zealand MPs was questioned by authorities in 2020 — then Covid hit and nothing was done. When MP remuneration and perks come under scrutiny, MPs often say “the rules are set by the...
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Nats seek help for social tech ban
National is looking to Labour to help pass a potential social media ban for under16s, as support from its two coalition partners appears unlikely. Education Minister Erica Stanford, who is leading the work, confirmed she and officials had met Labour...
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‘Freak accident’
ANew Zealand Special Air Service soldier was seriously wounded in a “freak accident” during training when a bullet ricocheted off a thrown grenade and tore through his right shoulder. When the soldier slumped to the ground, others in the assault team...
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Jet boss fears fatality unless Govt steps in Michael Morrah
The boss of a multimilliondollar private jet company has told the Government he believes a major fatal airline crash could occur if it doesn’t act over “reoccurring concerns” about leadership, culture and technical capability at the Civil Aviation...
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China missile test ‘concerning’ to NZ
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand is “deeply concerned” by China testing a “nuclearcapable” missile in the South Pacific, calling it inconsistent with peace in the region. Chinese state media Xinhua said last night the People’s...
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‘It will save lives in future’
Decades-old median barriers deemed inadequate by a coroner are set to be replaced on Auckland’s highway network but in other parts of the country will be upgraded only once they can no longer be repaired. The median barriers on Auckland’s highway...
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Kiwi coaches face homicide case
Filipino authorities have filed a homicide case against two Kiwi coaches linked to the deaths of two college basketball players during a pre-season bootcamp. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has recommended further criminal...
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Cracks in the coalition
If there’s one word calculated to insult an elderly politician, it is “confused”. Which is why you’d think it might be used sparingly against Winston Peters. Not only has Finance Minister Nicola Willis previously used it to describe Peters, but Prime...
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50% of school meals rated a fail
Only 50% of the meals delivered by the new school lunch programme in 2025 complied with the Ministry of Education’s nutrition standards, according to a scathing report by the Auditor-General. The parliamentary watchdog also criticised inaccurate...
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World Cup captain in NZ sex assault claim
The captain of a Fifa World Cup team is being investigated by New Zealand police over an alleged rape in an Auckland hotel. The complainant was working as a Fifa-mandated team support worker, a role defined and overseen by the sport’s world governing...
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HOUSING PERKS
Aseries of rule changes has meant that the number of MPs claiming full accommodation allowances has skyrocketed. In 2009 about 10% of eligible MPs claimed it, compared with 75% today. The rules are intended to help MPs from outside Wellington cover...
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Top cop faces sex abuse claims
Two police officers from the Police National Integrity Unit have flown to Australia to interview a woman over historical sexual allegations against Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. The officers, both detectives with expertise in investigating...
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‘Death by a thousand cuts’
Agroup of West Aucklanders and conservationists fear the Government’s landmark resource management laws will erode specific protections for Auckland’s Waitākere Ranges, with former mayor Sir Bob Harvey warning it could be “death by a thousand...
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ALL-ACTION HERO
Having done the appropriate due diligence and applied his own critical analysis, head coach Dave Rennie concluded his All Blacks team needs a unifying and inspirational force as captain. Based on that remit, there was only ever one man who could...
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Chris Finlayson: Why Luxon Govt has been ‘harmful’ to Māori-Crown relations
Jim Bolger, who was laid to rest in October 2025, was Prime Minister of New Zealand for seven years. In his book, Bolger, A View from the Top, Jim refers to his speech at the National Party’s annual conference in Rotorua on August 5, 1988. The speech...
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Nats back compulsory KiwiSaver policy
National is promising to make KiwiSaver compulsory for all New Zealand workers, while supporting parents through a government contribution while they’re on parental leave. It also wants to one-up New Zealand First by proposing to automatically enrol...
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Controversial fisheries reforms abandoned — for now
One of two bycatch incidents last month that revealed two dead orca occurred within a whale sanctuary. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones revealed in a parliamentary select committee yesterday that two fishers had recorded the “accidental...
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‘It felt like the ground fell away’
Charlotte Lockhart has a death sentence hanging over her: stage 4 breast cancer. In a generous move, her life partner, businessman and philanthropist Andrew Barnes, has donated $22.7 million to research in the hope of finding a cure.
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Workplace ‘TOXIC’
An Auckland councillor has launched a stinging rebuke of some of her elected colleagues, unleashing over what she describes as a toxic culture involving bullying, intimidation, hostility and fear. Howick ward councillor Bo Burns said she has “packed...
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‘Let the oil flow’
The United States and Iran agreed to a peace deal and an “immediate and permanent” end to military operations on all fronts including Lebanon, signalling the apparent end to more than three months of war in Middle East. The initial announcement from...
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Youth crime falls in most districts
Only three parts of New Zealand are lagging in the Government’s drive to curb serious youth crime, with priority now focusing on the Eastern, Canterbury and Waitematā districts. The “delivery plan refresh” is revealed in a briefing from Oranga...
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LET THE BEAUTIFUL GAME BEGIN
An amazing facility. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable support. And overbearing — if at times irrational — security protocols. If you want to understand the scale of this Fifa World Cup, you had to be at the All Whites’ first official training session at...
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‘No family should go through this’
An Auckland mother feared her son might die after he was admitted to intensive care with severe breathing complications — a condition she attributes to living in a damp rental where black mould covered walls in multiple rooms. Montoya Fitimase, a...
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COLD HARD FACTS
this, but this is what we see on a daily basis. We try to help, but sometimes it’s not enough,” she said. Issac said her visits were particularly important given Keshni was acting 24/7 as Kiaansh’s caregiver — which includes feeding him overnight via...
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‘I’m too cold. I’ve had it’
with the boat’s propeller and, while the pair were cutting it away, the sea swell was increasing. Waves started coming into the stern, eventually filling it with water and flipping the boat over. Both men held on to the upturned boat. They managed to...
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TAIWAN TENSION
In a likely first, a group of New Zealand MPs have been sanctioned by the People’s Republic of China for visiting Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own. Act’s Laura McClure, NZ First’s David Wilson, Labour’s Duncan Webb and...
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‘We did take pay cut coming here’
Australian paramedics are bucking the wellestablished transtasman migrant flow and choosing New Zealand jobs for opportunity over higher pay at home. And it is confounding the locals they are treating. “All the Kiwi patients we go to, they’re like,...
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Sacked school staffer had ‘sexual item’
A junior staff member whose contract was terminated at St Cuthbert’s College is being investigated over concerns involving a sex toy at the school, the Herald understands. When asked by the Herald if the staff member had given a sex toy to a boarder,...
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LIVES OF HONOUR
Some of New Zealand’s most respected doctors, educators, entrepreneurs and community leaders have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list, writes Vaimoana Mase. Ninety-five men and 83 women make up the list, honouring 178 people...
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BOUNCE BACK BUDGET?
Nicola Willis warned Kiwis not to expect a lolly scramble and anyone holding out hope for an election-year surprise would be disappointed. Instead, the Government’s Budget, unveiled yesterday, focused on attempting to untangle the New Zealand economy...
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Budget 26’s uphill battles
The big question hanging over Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ Budget, to be revealed at 2pm today, isn’t so much what’s in it, but how it fits together. The Government’s fiscal strategy is boxed in by two goals: returning to surplus and maintaining...
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Govt forecast to win second term
The coalition government would return to office at the election based on the latest numbers and predictions from the NZ Herald — Motu Research Poll of Polls. According to the model, current polling has the probability of the coalition of winning a...
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‘I’M NOT A CORRUPT COP’
Former Deputy Police Commissioner Tania Kura says she and other former members of the police executive were “thrown under the bus” after the Jevon McSkimming controversy, in a manner that was unprecedented and “unforgiving”. In her first in-depth...
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Rail Link cost 50% too much — ex CEO Katie Bradford
Collar up, motorcycle helmet under his arm, Sean Sweeney admits he might lose some friends over his brutally honest comments about the cost of Auckland’s City Rail Link project. But he’s not losing sleep over any mistakes he may have made. “I do...
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Mystery of the concrete tomb
The truth of what really happened to a man found entombed in concrete beneath his home for 16 years with a skull fracture may never be known as the only person who may have known has since died. A coroner has determined David Stanley Hart disappeared...
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Stobo quits over string of failings
Craig Stobo has resigned as Financial Markets Authority chairman, having voiced too many political views for someone in an apolitical public sector role. King’s Counsel Wendy Aldred led an investigation into Stobo after Financial Markets Authority...
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Record spend on locum doctors
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora spent just over $216 million on locum doctors last year. It is the most it has spent since the organisation was formed. Figures released to Newstalk ZB under the Official Information Act show that is up from the nearly...
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Peters game-playing on Iran emails: Willis
National deputy leader Nicola Willis is claiming Winston Peters’ failure to notify Prime Minister Christopher Luxon that his office was releasing to the Herald emails showing Luxon wanted to show “explicit public support” for the US-led war in Iran is...
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PM chides Peters over Iran emails
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held crisis talks with Foreign Minister Winston Peters in the Beehive last night after Peters’ office released emails to the Herald showing Luxon wanted to shift the Government’s position to show “explicit public...
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The All Black and the promised millions
A global internet start-up billed as safe social media for children, and fronted locally by a former All Black, has been accused of overstating its reach and endorsements and leaving a string of unpaid bills. The Herald has spoken to a number of...
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Open Day
Different villages for different lifestyles. Every Metlifecare retirement village feels a little different. Take a tour and see which one feels right. For more information contact your local village or visit
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‘GET DOWN’
It was meant to be a glitzy night with President Donald Trump addressing journalists at a Washington ballroom. But the glamour was shattered by gunshots that left guests diving to the floor and the US leader bundled out by security personnel. Trump...
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YOUR ANZAC DAY GUIDE
Kiwis around the country are set to mark Anzac Day this weekend, with thousands expected to attend dawn services, parades, and commemorations nationwide. More than 8000 Kiwis arrived on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25, 1915, as the Allies...
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‘He’s trying to crank it up’
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has fired up at his coalition partner New Zealand First, including claiming its leader Winston Peters is trying to “scaremonger” and reminding New Zealanders the party put Dame Jacinda Ardern into power. It follows...
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Days of our political lives
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon remains the National Party leader after the party’s caucus voted in support of him following Luxon raising a formal motion of confidence during a threehour caucus meeting. Luxon, reading out a short statement to...
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Govt rolls out relief for schools
The Government promises to temporarily increase mileage rates for relief teachers and replace diesel boilers at up to 70 schools as part of its response to the fuel crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Education Minister Erica...
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Govt’s quiet move to cut Treaty references
The Government has quietly agreed to repeal a number of references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within laws, while amending others to be more specific. Cabinet has also decided that, going forward, these provisions in legislation will...
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Fractious fortnight
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to face the most difficult two weeks of his leadership when Parliament returns next week, sources within the National Party say. It comes as the Herald can reveal a senior MP tried to present Luxon with...
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Energy, water and mass immigration
Taine Randell’s first step into politics should serve as a reminder that, try as you might, not everything goes to plan. Had it not been for Cyclone Vaianu, Randell would have been revealed as NZ First’s latest candidate by party leader Winston Peters...
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‘It’s a great spot, barbed wire aside’
A single property now remains in private ownership in a large parcel of land bordering the Devonport Naval Base with direct views over the Navy’s warships and defence operations. And despite the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) paying $4.2 million...
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Push for tobacco taskforce
Retail NZ warns “time is running out” to address the growth of the illicit tobacco market as it urges the Government to establish a new taskforce to improve New Zealand’s “fragmented and ineffective” approach to the illegal product. The organisation,...
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IN VAIANU’S PATH
Cyclone Vaianu has wreaked havoc across the North Island, causing widespread flooding, downing trees and leaving thousands of homes without power. Vaianu made landfall near the Maketū Peninsula on the Western Bay of Plenty yesterday afternoon as a...
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Hunt for Utai’s son in Thailand
Australian police are investigating potential hideouts in Thailand as they search for the wanted son of shot exKiwis star Matt Utai. The 44-year-old former winger almost died after he was shot outside his Sydney home on February 17 in a drive-by...
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Crude deal
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the ceasefire announcement for the Iran war by US President Donald Trump yesterday is a positive step that may allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. “While it’s too early to comment on the...
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Who helped Tom Phillips hide?
Those suspected of helping Tom Phillips evade the law are yet to be charged, more than six months after the armed fugitive father was shot dead on a country road. Police have confirmed they have “spoken to” several people as they search for...
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HOOP DREAMS
Charlisse Leger-Walker became the first New Zealand woman to win an NCAA basketball title yesterday — and could make more history next week. The 24-year-old guard was in the starting five as her University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) team won...
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BATTLE READY
Senior Army commanders say pressure on New Zealand’s defence forces is greater than at any point in recent memory because of a heightened security environment in the region. It comes amid Chinese expansion into the Pacific, the NZ Defence Force (NZDF)...
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‘CONCOCTED EVIDENCE’
David Tamihere’s convictions for murdering two Swedish tourists have been quashed, 37 years after the couple disappeared in the Coromandel bush. The upset decision from the Supreme Court yesterday finds that Tamihere’s High Court trial in 1990 was...
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Govt out to avoid ‘mad’ fuel rush
The Government is pursuing options to access alternative fuel stock in an attempt to avoid what one minister predicted would be a “mad, frenzied rush” if supply runs low. While New Zealand has sufficient levels of fuel currently, something confirmed...
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Drug deals behind bars
Apair of influential prison inmates were allegedly able to smuggle large amounts of drugs into New Zealand through a network of corrupt workers at Auckland airport, the Herald can reveal. The case has again raised concerns about the ease with which...
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Hipkins got vaccine advice, paper shows
Then-Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins received advice about the potential risks of a second Covid-19 vaccine dose for teenagers at a time when tens of thousands of them had yet to get a follow-up jab. The Herald has unearthed a Cabinet paper, in...
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