Today's latest news

Air Rarotonga hires first female pilot after trailblazing training journey

At 23, Isabel Drollet Macdonald will be Air Rarotonga's first female pilot.

Scientist behind treatment that saved 'countless' babies has died, aged 67

His brain cooling treatment, or therapeutic hypothermia, is now used worldwide.

Jason Collins, trailblazing gay NBA centre who changed US sports, dies at 47

Collins played 13 NBA seasons for six teams.

Jason Momoa spotted DJing at Queenstown’s Bunker Upstairs

Jason Momoa was filmed DJing at The Bunker in Queenstown. The actor, now a shareholder, has been regularly spotted around the resort town.

‘Life changed’: Elijah Wood honours Sir Peter Jackson with Cannes’ top award

Wood says his life is divided into before and after Jackson changed it.

Why Blair Tuke won't sail as Team NZ name crews for preliminary regatta

The three-time Cup winner won't feature in Cagliari as the defenders reveal new combos.

TVNZ secures rights to America's Cup

TVNZ will begin its coverage next week with the preliminary regatta in Cagliari.

Fox, Hillier draw early tee times at PGA Championship

Ryan Fox opens his eighth PGA Championship at 12.35am (NZT) on Friday.

Alleged bouncer assault on teen patron at pub under police investigation

Footage shows two security staff kicking and striking the 18-year-old man.

'Maybe there is a way': Hawke's Bay growers mull McCain takeover bid

'It’s a big business, but there is a lot of will out there.'

Fulton Hogan employee dies while helping stranded driver on Waikato Expressway worksite

The employee was contracted to NZTA.

'We can’t continue doing what we’re doing': Henry outlines how to improve domestic rugby

Sir Graham Henry will serve as an independent selector under Dave Rennie.

'Shocking situation': Anger as two libraries, pool lose Sunday hours

Tauranga council made cost-cutting call behind closed doors, without consulting locals.

What we learned after a super El Niño wiped out millions of people in 1877

A lot has changed since what might have been the worst natural disaster in human history.

Labour names 22yo meteorologist as candidate for bellwether seat

Dan Scott works as a weather forecaster in Wellington.

Winston Peters reveals why he won't budge on upping the retirement age | Ryan Bridge TODAY

NZ First leader Winston Peters says NZ's retirement age is not a problem that needs to be fixed. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

The 'super' strain that experts are watching closely as winter flu season nears

And it's not just the flu but a mix of viruses circulating in NZ that worries doctors.

Rod Emmerson’s cartoons: Week of May 11-17

Rod Emmerson's take on the week.

Investment Adviser: Shifting exchange rates are impacting your portfolio | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Forsyth Barr's Mark Richardson gives a crash course on how currency exchange rates impact returns on your investments. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

The kids are all right: Where is the next generation of Black Caps batters?

With an ageing batting unit, succession planning is already well underway.

Rescuers told to wait as man and dogs stranded in middle of flooded Canterbury river

By the time volunteers got there, the vehicle was 'sinking'.

Greens: Govt 'overstepping' on climate law changes | Ryan Bridge TODAY

Marama Davidson & David Seymour debate climate law changes, the Australian budget, and the Marmite sandwich TikTok account. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Kiwi ICE detainee moved to US state with tougher immigration rules

Everlee Wihongi was moved from California to Arizona for harsher courts.

'More flexible on that': Henry on selecting from overseas | Ryan Bridge TODAY

New All Blacks selector Sir Graham Henry says the overseas player rules are not as 'in concrete' as they used to be. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

Cyclist seriously injured after being trapped underneath car in Wellington

Police say the Glenmore St northbound lane will remain blocked for some time.

Commerce Commission looks at 22 years of data in State of Competition report | Herald NOW Business

ComCom has one headscratcher - Market concentration measured by the share of the top five firms in any sector has dropped slightly over the past two decades.

NZ Herald comments: The stories open for discussion today

Want to have your say on our stories? Here's how.

Economic stress driving demand for mental health support for businesses | Herald NOW Business

Katie Bradford talks to Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey about a workplace mental health toolkit as economic pressures mount on businesses. Video / Herald NOW Business

NZ Herald Sport Headlines | Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Sport Headlines | Dave Rennie recruits Sir Graham Henry as an independent selector and Mitch Barnett returns to Warriors' starting line-up | Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Beaten in broad daylight: 74yo man coward-punched outside fish and chip shop

The Whangārei man has spoken about his ordeal that left him with a brain bleed.

NZ Herald Headlines | Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Morning Headlines | Expected trade investigation into lamb imports and Christchurch City Council plans to give an extra $15m to restore the cathedral. | Wednesday, May 13, 2026

State of the Retail Industry report – Nicole Buisson from Lightspeed | Herald NOW Business

Shoppers are still turning up and backing local where they can, while retailers juggle rising costs. But how long can they absorb the pain? Video / Herald NOW Business

Hannah McQueen: 'I feel like I failed him' - the difficult reality of putting a partner into a rest home

Sometimes the right decision still feels heartbreaking.

Opposition warns reforms open up conservation estate to sale as Government pushes on

Tama Potaka says the reforms will modernise conservation law and boost growth.

Letters: Seascape tower developer will have done huge damage to industry

OPINION: Financial damage to industry will be huge

Westpac forecasts reveal fresh outlook for NZ amid focus on Australian Budget | Herald NOW Business

Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold discusses the latest economic data and what the Australian Budget means. Video / Herald NOW Business

Part-privatising Kiwibank back on the agenda

'Significant fiscal constraints' restrict Govt's ability to inject capital into the bank.

Dairy boom continues but inflation poses risks ahead| Herald NOW Business

Jarden's Mike McIntyre discusses the a strong dairy season as uncertainty over costs looms. Video| Herald NOW Business

UK PM Starmer resists calls to quit as Labour divided

More than 80 of Labour's 403 MPs have urged Sir Keir Starmer to set a departure plan.

MetService morning weather update: May 13, 2026

MetService morning weather update: May 13, 2026. Video / MetService

Auckland or Queenstown? Where foreign buyers are really putting their money

Golden visa sales quadruple within the space of a month as agents report pent-up demand.

All Blacks' $6m question: Can NZ Rugby afford to keep flying business class?

How much does it cost to fly the All Blacks in business class?

'We’re making new history here': Iconic speedway rebuilt for future

Veteran racer Kerry Brocas is leading the massive 21 Speedway rebuild.

Andrew Barnes: AI could rewrite the working week but who benefits?

OPINION: This is a glaringly obvious question for workers that CEOs don't answer.

Theatre's $1 sale delayed as retaining wall plan stalls

Whanganui's Repertory Theatre escaped demolition in 2024.

What doctors want you to know about cannabis and health

New York Times: Experts separate fact from fiction about the drug’s safety and benefits.

'He just wanted to live': Widow shares husband's brain tumour battle after ‘dream’ life cut short

The family-of-six focused on making memories, including a trip to the South Island.

NZ 2000 Guineas hero on comeback trail again after throat operation

Pier is one of New Zealand's best-performed gallopers.

Tony Alexander: Recession fears - have Kiwis pulled back from the brink?

Survey results suggest we're adapting to the reality of higher fuel prices.

Georgia ex-captain banned 11 years for urine-swap anti-doping scheme

Merab Sharikadze, 32, received the longest ban for prolonged sample tampering.

Iran says US must accept peace plan or face 'failure'

'The longer they drag their feet, the more American taxpayers will pay for it.'

Māori Queen meets Prince William at Windsor Castle

Eight generations of tūpuna have engaged with the British royals.

Herald Hat-trick sports quiz: May 13

Can you get a hat-trick?

'Deliberately cut corners': Company charged over 2024 Baltimore bridge disaster

The 2024 bridge collapse killed six workers and caused billions in economic loss.

Trump shares social media post calling for Obama’s arrest

Post part of flurry of nearly 50 late-night updates on Trump’s social media page.

Letters: Regional rail is an idea gathering steam

OPINION: Let's dare to dream bigger with regional rail.

'This is what everyone's here for': Napier City Rovers eye huge Miramar test

Forward Jacob Fenton, 26, scored his first goal of the season last Sunday.

Engineer who tried to film naked sex worker with Meta glasses fights for secrecy

The victim believes the women in his life should know of his offending.

Profit-making property resales drop amid prolonged housing downturn

The national median resale gain in the first three months of the year was $285,000.

Morning quiz: In which European country was scientist Marie Curie born?

Test your brain with the Herald's morning quiz.

The failing RSA that used poppy money to stay afloat - and the untapped $200m veteran ‘gold mine’

While one RSA used its poppy money to avoid collapse, others have a fortune in property.

Electric dirt bike crash hurls teen into Newmarket shopfront, safety crackdown urged

Experts warn that many electric dirt bikes are illegal to ride on roads or footpaths.

New Poll of Polls predictions revealed – how have new results affected election chances?

A new Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll was released on Tuesday.

‘So far in excess’: Charity probe slams Tamihere's Waipareira payments, political funding

Department of Internal Affairs releases 1584 pages on high-stakes Waipareira charity case.

Editorial: Clarity needs to emerge from the quagmire of local government reforms

OPINION: Chris Bishop says local government is now 'too complex, too costly'.

Businesses urged to use toolkit to help those struggling with mental health

The Government says it wants workplace support to be as accessible as possible.

Greg Smith: Early KiwiSaver advice can mean 50% more at retirement

OPINION: Fewer than one in four Kiwis got professional financial advice in the past year.

Government backs app to help workers with their mental health

Senior correspondent Katie Bradford talks to MP Matt Doocey about the AI-powered app that promises to help workers take care of their mental health. Video / Cameron Pitney