New Zealand

Critics ask where targeted Māori funding is in Budget 2026

The Māori development minister is hailing Budget 2026 as a "meaningful" boost to te reo Māori and Māori culture.

10 mins ago

Auckland high school to close early due to staff absences

Almost 30 staff were absent yesterday from "illnesses and events", with the school closing at the end of lunchtime today.

14 mins ago

1:30

All Whites defender surprised by Argentinian influencer's social media boost

Defender Tim Payne has jumped from just 5000 to over a million followers on Instagram after the shout out.

56 mins ago

1:30

One critical, SH1 blocked in lower North Island crash

State Highway 1 near the Manakau North Rail Overbridge in the Horowhenua region is closed.

9:30am

1:30

The Finance Minister says the Government will fall well short of its 10% child poverty target — with the real figure expected to sit closer to 18%.

Budget 2026: Willis on child poverty, superannuation, $450m fuel fund

Speaking to Breakfast on the day after she delivered her third Budget, Willis said the gap between where things sit now and the child poverty targets were a "very difficult gap to close".

9:19am

9:41

Critics ask where targeted Māori funding is in Budget 2026

The Māori development minister is hailing Budget 2026 as a "meaningful" boost to te reo Māori and Māori culture.

10 mins ago

Auckland high school to close early due to staff absences

Almost 30 staff were absent yesterday from "illnesses and events", with the school closing at the end of lunchtime today.

14 mins ago

1:30

All Whites defender surprised by Argentinian influencer's social media boost

Defender Tim Payne has jumped from just 5000 to over a million followers on Instagram after the shout out.

56 mins ago

1:30

One critical, SH1 blocked in lower North Island crash

State Highway 1 near the Manakau North Rail Overbridge in the Horowhenua region is closed.

9:30am

1:30

Budget 2026: Willis on child poverty, superannuation, $450m fuel fund

Speaking to Breakfast on the day after she delivered her third Budget, Willis said the gap between where things sit now and the child poverty targets were a "very difficult gap to close".

9:19am

9:41

News in 90 Seconds May 29

The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Dame Lynda Topp slams the Budget, new MAFS allegations, and the All White who’s going viral.

8:56am

1:30

Minister of Finance Nicola Willis delivers the budget during Budget Day 2026 at Parliament.

Analysis: Did Nicola Willis deliver a 'tough love' Budget?

The Government's goal of getting back to surplus was the key focus of this Budget.

8:40am

5:01

Flowers left at the scene on Whitehall St in Mairehau.

Christchurch fire that killed mother and daughter not suspicious

Investigators say the Mairehau blaze began in a bedroom, with the case now referred to the Coroner.

8:17am

1:30

The Prime Minister is forecasting 220,000 new jobs and growth outpacing most of the developed world, but admits there is no political consensus to address a looming $10 billion superannuation blowout.

Luxon touts Budget growth forecast, concedes superannuation deadlock

Luxon said Budget 2026 forecasts growth of 2.7% — higher than Australia, the UK, Canada, the EU and Japan.

6:47am

6:05

The Interislander ferry Aratere aground near Picton.

Aratere crew not fully trained in new steering system before grounding

A final report finds KiwiRail focused on installing the new equipment but not on preparing its crew to use it safely.

6:07am

1:30

A person working in an office (file image).

Here's where there are thousands of new jobs

More than 4000 new jobs were added to New Zealand's total between March and April, but there's a warning that momentum might not last.

6:00am

1:30

King's Birthday weekend weather: Rain, wind and a surprise warm-up

A Tasman low is set to end one of the driest Mays on record, bringing rain, strong winds and unseasonably warm nights to much of the country.

6:00am

3:16

Stargazing with the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy as the backdrop.

Kaikōura targeting winter tourism as visitor numbers drop

Visitor numbers to the northern Canterbury town have dropped as the cold season sets in and fuel price hikes begin to bite.

8:01pm

A train in the Karangahape Station tunnels

Trains given boost in Budget with $1.1bn KiwiRail plan

A further $107 million was set aside to continue critical renewals on the Auckland and Wellington metropolitan rail networks.

7:30pm

Gulf Harbour body trial: 'Very thin' women seen at house victim stayed at

Shulai Wang, 70, travelled to New Zealand from China to seek religious instructions from one of the accused in August 2023.

7:00pm

A BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid which the council has tested ahead of a bulk purchase.

Council eyes hybrid ute that broke down during test

Environment Southland committee approves the replacement of up to four vehicles with the intention of adding three BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrids to their fleet.

6:30pm