The New Zealand Herald

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...

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...

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...

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...

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)...

Know when to hold ’em

Stakes high for PM in Cabinet reshuffle

‘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...

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...

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...

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...

Diesel crunch forecast by Easter

Only two fuel ships are expected to arrive in New Zealand in the next fortnight, according to the Government’s latest update, showing declining stocks. As of midnight Sunday, New Zealand had 48.7 days cover of petrol, down from 49.9 days last...

$50 credits for those ‘doing it toughest’

About 140,000 families with children will receive an extra $50 per week through a boost to the In-Work Tax Credit as the Government seeks to provide some relief amid increasing fuel prices. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola...

+ Iran conflict: Public transport cheaper than driving as fuel costs soar

Govt braces for fuel turmoil

New Zealand may have to elevate its response to fuel supply disruptions sparked by conflict in the Middle East within the next month, the Finance Minister says, with officials currently providing advice on the “relevant considerations” for such a...

‘Money mule’ loses name suppression

Petrol stations have been running out of petrol and auto stores have been running out of fuel containers as motorists fear prices will continue to rise as conflict in the Middle East threatens supply. RNZ on Saturday reported that several Gull petrol...

Govt calls for calm over fuel

Ministers are getting advice on how low fuel supplies have to go before the Government should introduce demand measures such as reducing the amount of petrol people can buy and only allowing fuel outlets to open on alternate days. Ministers said...

RENNIE’S 10 COMMANDMENTS

Thou shalt have speed, strength and agility Thou shalt be able to contest the high ball Thou shalt have an astute rugby brain

‘Could’ve been better’

● Auckland lockdown too long, testing requirements not ‘necessary or practical’ ● Labour Govt ignored Treasury advice on spending ● NZ remains weak for future shocks: ‘Pressing need to reduce public debt’ ● Too slow to remove mandates, while some...

Isle of Man

Iran war response a ‘no-brainer’: Clark

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark says the Government should have taken the same stance on the war in Iran that she took on the Iraq War in 2003, which she called a “no-brainer”. Speaking on Sunday to Newstalk ZB host Tim Beveridge, Clark has said if...

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‘An incredible honour’ Dave Rennie named new All Blacks coach +

On January 14, when Scott Robertson announced he was departing his role as All Blacks head coach, Dave Rennie was preparing for a Japan Top League clash against the Black Rams. Former All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, who played in two Super Rugby...

Coalition on attack over interview

National’s Nicola Willis and Act leader David Seymour have trained their sights on Labour’s Barbara Edmonds over what the Finance Minister described as an “alarming interview” published in the Herald. Interest in the Edmonds interview spilled into...

‘An evil regime’

Trump vows to avenge US troop deaths Mid-East holds its breath as conflict escalates

STATE OF WAR

New Zealanders in Middle Eastern hotspots are being urged to leave if they can as ongoing strikes rain across the region. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989 and sworn enemy of the West, was killed in the opening salvo of a...

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...