The New Zealand Herald

Breach of data ‘unacceptable’

Minister Erica Stanford asked Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche to personally sign formal apologies to the more than 30 survivors of abuse in care who were caught up in an “incomprehensible” data breach. In a scathing letter to Roche,...

Aunt admits role in boy’s violent death

On November 15, 2024, Pauline Timu put Rickah’Shae Keefe-Haerewa in the back of her car, after he’d allegedly suffered a serious assault at the hands of another person. But rather than race to Whakatāne Hospital, she pulled over for between seven and...

Prof ‘not returning’ after conduct probe

University of Auckland science professor Jon Sperry will “not be returning” to his role after a lengthy period of leave and an investigation which found a “pattern of concerning behaviour”. Sperry has been on leave since at least August last year, and...

Prime position

This year will be the most important of Liam Lawson’s career. After beating Yuki Tsunoda to keep his place on the Formula One grid with Racing Bulls, Lawson starts the season in his most secure position as an F1 driver. With his first three F1 seasons...

Rough sleepers, beggars targeted

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has defended the Government’s “move-on orders” that will empower police to imprison or fine rough sleepers $2000 if they refuse to leave a public space, insisting they don’t “criminalise poverty”. However, opposition...

School’s survival in doubt after assaults

More than 30 student assaults were recorded in two terms at a West Auckland school for children with severe behavioural needs, according to a just-released report. Despite this, the commissioner brought in to run Westbridge Residential School is...

Jumping for Zoi

Zoi Sadowski-Synnott turned pressure into silver under the bright lights of the Livigno Snow Park. A two-time big air Olympic medallist, the 24-year-old arrived in Italy looking for a third from as many appearances, and as top qualifier in the...

‘Big questions’ over trade deal

Trade Minister Todd McClay says he stands by statements he made to Parliament last month on some controversial aspects of the India Free Trade Agreement, including whether it bars New Zealand from ever imposing a cap on the number of student visas...

Super Bowl’s Kiwi connection

The biggest event on the American sporting calendar will have a significant South Pacific flavour when Super Bowl LX kicks off this afternoon, including New Zealand-born running back George Holani. The 26-year-old’s Seattle Seahawks will attempt to...

INSIDE: Your Waitangi weekend weather

Your Waitangi weekend weather

Warm Waitangi welcome

Dignitaries gather for our national day

‘Wake-up call’ for personal data

All public service chief executives have been directed to review arrangements that Government agencies have with third parties to hold personal information and data. The directive, from Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, follows the data...

Kiwis managed Epstein’s island

Newly-released US Government files reveal a New Zealand couple managed properties for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including his infamous island, during the period prosecutors say he sex trafficked women and girls. New Zealand couple Brice...

‘A decision we hope we don’t have to make’

An Otago couple is torn — deciding between fertility treatment for a second child, or moving to Australia to access Trikafta — the drug that could extend their 17-month-old daughter Maya’s life. Maddie and Mackenzie Palmer, aged 29 and 30, are on the...

Top school knew about ‘dirt file’

A top Auckland school is defending hiring a new principal from an Australian college where leaked teachers’ notes described students as “odd”, “rude” and having “messy hair”. Dr Sandra Hastie will take over as executive principal at Epsom’s Diocesan...

‘Enormous gratitude’

Minister and former National Party leader Judith Collins is retiring from politics to become the new president of the Law Commission. Collins announced her decision in a statement, in which she thanked her family and Prime Minister Christopher...

When, not if, slope failed, say experts

It was most likely a matter of when, not if, the slope overlooking the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park failed. And landslide expert Dr Tom Robinson — senior lecturer in disaster risk and resilience at the University of Canterbury — says that is...

‘It’s something that never goes away’

The rain over Napier during last week’s tragic storms stirred painful memories for Steve Miller of three years earlier — the day his son was swept away and killed during the Auckland Anniversary floods. On that January 27 evening, Miller watched from...

Wayne’s world

Coaching legend Sir Wayne Smith is leaving his senior New Zealand Rugby role for a new position overseas. Smith was appointed New Zealand Rugby (NZR) performance coach in 2023, a part-time role working closely with the Black Ferns, initially, and then...

Put housing focus on pace: Seymour

Act’s David Seymour says residents in his Epsom electorate aren’t “antiintensification”, but if they’re told towering buildings will be constructed “looking into everyone’s backyards and their swing sets and their pools”, they’ll ask, “why would you do...

Luxon’s year?

‘I am gutted’

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is departing the role at the crucial mid-point of the four-year World Cup cycle. The announcement came a day after the Herald reported a possible revolt involving star players and a critical evaluation of Roberston’s...

Heartbreak after pita shop burns

Ibrahim Hatem has described the harrowing effort to put out flames of what was initially a small fire at his family business in East Auckland — before realising it was too late. The 60-year-old, one of the owners of the popular Pakūranga spot, The...

Kiwi fighters targeted by Russian intelligence

Kiwis considering joining the Ukraine International Legion have been told to stay off social media — and insist family and friends don’t post anything suggesting they’re going — amid widespread online targeting of foreign fighters. That includes...

Armed police aid hunt for soldier

Details around the tense search for a soldier who police feared was armed with knives and petrol bombs have been suppressed through an injunction granted to the New Zealand Defence Force. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) sought the injunction to...

Crash victim: ‘i felt like i died’

With a 73-year-old grandmother critically injured and growing frustration over what they believed was police inaction, a traumatised Auckland family turned to a controversial Facebook page — setting off a viral hunt for a “drunk driver” police now say...

Divers find 120kg of cocaine in hull

There was something a little strange about these customers. The two men had walked into the dive store in Tauranga and picked out some expensive gear. But the pair clearly knew nothing about diving at all, in the eyes of the bemused staff trying to...

Drug harm findings ‘will surprise some’

Almost two-thirds of respondents to a nationwide survey say they don’t experience any negative effects from using alcohol or drugs. It’s generally understood a lot of recreational alcohol or drug use isn’t harmful, but this is the first time in New...

‘The world’s unfairest law’

An Auckland man whose pension has been cut under a controversial deduction policy says he hasn’t been able to afford to travel more than 30km from his home in the past six years. Jim Wolfson said he was barely getting by each week and “even McDonald’s...

‘Mass fatality risk’

‘We must be very careful of this taoka, this treasure, lest we love it to death.” So said the founding director of the Department of Conservation, the late Ken Pittington, to Nga¯i Tahu’s Ta¯ Tipene O’Regan about one of our most treasured spots:...

Passion, patience, persistence

Meet the New Year Honours recipients of 2026

Driving down the road toll

New Zealand’s annual road toll is trending lower, with 2025 on track to be among the lowest totals in decades. As of last night — with two days left of the year — the provisional toll sat at 268; if it remains below 272, it would be the second-lowest...

Fury over fishing policies

nternationally renowned recreational angler Matt Watson has accused New Zealand First’s Shane Jones of pursuing fisheries policy to benefit his “mates” in the commercial fishing world at the expense of ocean health. The claim comes as game fishers...

‘Brutal and cruel’

APukekohe man found in possession of extremist Islamic State content, including beheadings and terror attacks in Europe, has failed in his bid to secure a discharge without conviction. However, his application for permanent anonymity was...

The Avatar effect

The third Avatar instalment has dominated global box offices despite James Cameron’s warnings the franchise might be cut short if the newest film is not a commercial success. Avatar: Fire and Ash opened to US$345 million ($599.85m), US$257m of which...

‘She was barely able to speak’

Hato Hone St John has made changes to its medical alarm service after the harrowing ordeal of a woman in her 90s who waited almost two hours for an ambulance to be dispatched to her. As well as making changes to the system, St John has also apologised...

‘A very significant fall from grace’

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has been sentenced to home detention, with his lawyer saying his client had a pornography addiction that “simply overwhelmed him”. A report into McSkimming’s offending said he showed an “entitled...

We say: Anti-Semitism is a sign of a sick society.

To all those who have made repellent remarks to friends or at work. Stop. To those who have shared vile posts and conspiracies about Jewish people on social media. Stop. To those, including in the political class, who have emboldened, appeased and...

The big chase

The man himself might not admit it, but Kane Williamson becoming the first New Zealander to the fabled mark of 10,000 test runs would mean plenty to the game in Aotearoa, Black Caps batting coach Luke Ronchi says. At age 35 and having now played 107...

School’s out on NCEA decision

The Government has delayed making final decisions on its proposal to abolish NCEA and replace it with new educational qualifications. Public consultation on the changes opened in August and ran to midSeptember, with officials then analysing the...

Call for social media regulator

Aparliamentary select committee tasked with researching how New Zealand could reduce social media harm among kids says the Government should consider installing a social media regulator. The committee’s interim report, released yesterday, also urges...

Community in shock after bus stabbing

The Glen Innes community is reeling after two people were stabbed on an Auckland bus and one later died. A 59-year-old man died after an alleged “unprovoked attack” on the No 76 bus as it travelled from Glen Innes towards O¯rākei on Monday...

Govt to unveil RMA overhaul

Today, shortly after 1pm, New Zealanders will get their first look at the Government’s radical overhaul of the resource management laws, cutting the number of consents required by 40-50%. The reforms, led by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and...

Govt rates cap ‘will squeeze finances’

A leading credit ratings agency says the Government’s rates cap will squeeze council finances and make it harder to balance the books. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, speaking alongside Local Government Minister Simon Watts last Monday, implored...

‘Forever our hero’: Dad dies saving his sons

Adream holiday turned to tragedy when Tongan-born New Zealand heavyweight boxer Semisi Kalu died saving the lives of his sons while swimming in Tonga. Kalu, who represented Tonga at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and owned a drainlaying company in...

‘CRL with no trains’: Mayor

Auckland’s $5.5 billion City Rail Link and North Shore ferries are being cited as the type of services that could fall victim to a Governmentimposed rates cap. On Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Local Government Minister Simon Watts...

Ms Z: I’ve been bullied into silence

Her allegations of grooming against disgraced former police boss Jevon McSkimming sent shockwaves through the force and triggered a major shake-up at the highest levels. She tells Jared Savage why the Govt must now undertake a deeper dive into culture...

‘Unfair’ say critics of housing rules

Opponents of Auckland’s planning rule changes for greater intensification argue that Christchurch has been given a softer target. Character Coalition chairwoman Sally Hughes said RMA Minister Chris Bishop had allowed Christchurch 30 years of zoned...

Belter swelter

Auckland has hit its hottest day in November on record, and the scorching and sticky weather could be here to stay until early next week. MetService said humidity climbed to 67% in the city yesterday, with Auckland Airport hitting a high of...

‘We need to get people to Eden Park’

Eden Park is forecasting a tiny profit next year with a “soft” concert schedule and says the stadium would be “extinct” if it hadn’t broadened its events programme. Park boss Nick Sautner addressed Auckland councillors on Tuesday, six days after...

Regional council roles under axe in sweeping overhaul

Down in the valleys

Grasping their final flourish in Cardiff, the All Blacks are projecting positivity, believing they are on an upward trajectory despite a failed Grand Slam bid casting a shadow over their season. The All Blacks finished their year with a...

McSkimming accuser facing prosecution

The young woman charged under digital harassment laws for making sex allegations against former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming is still facing prosecution over alleged abusive emails sent to the detective who investigated her, the Herald...

McSkimming bombshell

The highest-ranking police officers in New Zealand ignored anonymous allegations that former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming was a sexual predator, a Herald investigation can reveal. Instead of investigating whether the sex claims could be...

School staffer charged over alleged sexual conduct with student

WAR ON meth trade

Our Navy, spies and police will be sent out to hunt drug-smuggling routes from Central America and South America as part of a bold new Government strike against the syndicates flooding the country with methamphetamine. Missions deep into the Pacific...

‘A bit rich’: Rift over rates redo

All 120 properties in an exclusive O¯ netangi “hotspot” on Waiheke Island will now be revalued by Auckland Council, after some home owners — including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon — objected to their soaring valuations. The move has divided the...

Deadline day for Gloriavale

West Coast schools are investigating how they will upscale and absorb the children of Gloriavale if the Government decides to close the religious commune’s school. Commune leaders have a hard deadline of tomorrow to convince the Ministry of Education...

Govt chasing concert dollars

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has written to Auckland Council asking for feedback on a proposal to allow up to 20 medium-sized concerts of 10,000-30,000 people a year at Eden Park on top of the 12 concerts it currently hosts. It is also recommended...

School boards to lose Treaty ‘obligation’

The Government will remove a requirement for school boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, but will still make clear they should seek to achieve equitable outcomes for Māori students. Education Minister Erica Stanford said the current...

DOWNZONED

High-density housing will be prohibited in parts of Henderson, Milford and Māngere from today, as new rules take effect to reduce flood risk in these vulnerable areas. After being unable to prevent about 4000 new builds in hazard zones since the...

The making of a mateship?

‘No, it’s just about me doing my job,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Wednesday night in South Korea when asked whether securing a meeting with United States President Donald Trump counted as a win for himself. The Prime Minister may not...

‘Feels like censorship’

Two student editors of Auckland University’s Craccum magazine have been locked out of its website after publishing a story revealing their student union chief executive was in line for annual payments of more than $150,000. The Craccum Administration...

‘NZ’s time’ for capital gains tax

Labour will campaign on a targeted capital gains tax (CGT) at the next election where profits made from commercial and residential property sales will fund free GP visits for all New Zealanders. The party was seemingly forced to bring forward the...

Close watch on Gloriavale

Asenior Government minister has not ruled out closing Gloriavale, saying revelations in the Herald about a child disciplinary technique — likened to suffocation — are “horrendous”. It comes as the Herald has discovered authorities are currently...

‘GAME-CHANGER’

Anew Northland Expressway will cut 38 minutes off the drive between Auckland’s Te Hana and Whangārei, according to a recently approved investment case. The new road is als expected to reduce deaths and serious injuries on State Highway 1 by 66%. The...

‘Defining moment in our history’

Doctors, nurses, teachers, prison staff, firefighters and other healthcare personnel took to the streets yesterday, in what is believed to be NZ’s biggest protest action in 45 years. An estimated 100,000 workers rallied to demand better pay and...