An apology has aired on The X Factor NZ after it featured convicted killer Shae Brider's audition, traumatising the family of his victim.

Some of us listen to whale sounds to relax or sleep - but for Rosalyn Putland, it's serious science.

X Factor judge Natalia Kills has blasted a Rotorua hotel for auctioning bed sheets used by her and husband Willy Moon.

Anastacia has cancelled two planned New Zealand appearances, the second pop star to cancel shows here within a week.

Lupita Nyong'o's $150,000 (NZ$200,000) pearl-encrusted Oscar Awards dress has allegedly been stolen from her hotel room.

British pop star Jessie J is heading to Auckland next month to perform a free show at Vector Arena.

Six60's return to Dunedin's student quarter was marred when a man watching the gig suffered moderate to serious injuries when he fell from a roof.

Getting too much sleep may increase the risk of having a stroke, scientists say.

Our social media scout Cam Mansel gives you the run down of things you might have missed in the weird and wonderful world of celebrity social media.

Shelley Bridgeman shares her tradie niggles - none need legal attention, but most are annoying enough to make you grit your teeth and swear a bit.

The father of a child given 10 times the normal dose of codeine says his distraught wife can't forgive herself for not stopping the nurse with the "huge, big syringe".

Ed Sheeran has taken out the BRIT Award for Album of the Year. The Thinking Outloud singer also beat favourite Sam Smith by scooping the British Male Solo Artist prize.

The Herald launches an experiment in crowdsourcing following the release of donation details for general election candidates.

Disgruntled TVNZ viewers took to social media this morning to vent their frustration at the station’s technical issues.

Start arm-swinging: Kiwis Luke Williams and Butch Miller awarded professional wrestling's highest accolade.

Photo taken from International Space Station shows the Cook Strait and North and South Islands in glorious detail as they are caught by glint of the setting sun.

Actress Emma Watson has published a handwritten note to thank Steve Carell for supporting her gender equality campaign at the Oscars.

Matamata's Hobbiton movie set last night hosted a group of international cruise customers accompanied by some Hobbit cast and crew.

Grohl remains one of the best front men in the business - someone that can crack up the crowd just by raising an eyebrow.

Some sections of society seem to have done an Alice in Wonderland down the rabbit hole this week. One minute, they were in Aotearoa 2015; the next, they were back in 1980s New Zild.

Jerome Taylor took three wickets in a destructive opening spell setting the West Indies on course for a lopsided 150-run win in their Cricket World Cup Pool B match today.

Brendon McCullum's men won the game with 226 balls to spare. Predictably, the English media have got the knives out. Here's a sample of what's being said back in the Old Country.

So NZ Pork, you think giving a woman a "night of pleasure" is cooking her dinner? You've clearly never dated one of us Shore girls.

Michele Hewtison interviews the legendary guitarist Slash.

A spider inadvertently found in a packet of grapes by a West Auckland woman has been confirmed as an Australian redback.

Two powerful cyclones smashed into northern Australia today, with authorities ordering coastal residents to flee their homes.

There has been some controversy leading up to this year's Academy Awards. Dominic Corry notes ten instances where the Oscars got it wrong.

Details have emerged about the crash that derailed plans for the Foo Fighter's charity show at Auckland's Town Hall tonight.