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Fire clouds: The ominous new threat looming over wildfires in Europe

Fire clouds can form above volcanoes, large-scale wildfires, and nuclear explosions.

Starbucks hit in ram raid, two youths in custody

The pair face charges including aggravated burglary.

'Left carrying the cost': Architects blame light rail axe for financial trouble

High Court hearing set for this week. Design work includes Taumata o Kupe, Pt Chevalier.

Russia accuses New Zealand of spying after claim man fed info to Five Eyes

It's being reported a 55-year-old Russian man leaked sensitive information to NZ agencies.

Why daughters become unpaid carers for ageing parents, and how to share the load

OPINION: Family carers are propping up an ageing system.

Man found hiding under shed after 'dangerous' high-speed boat chase

When told he was being arrested he said "what for?" before driving his boat away.

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Russian security services arrest man accused of spying for NZ

The Russian Federal Service said the man is a Russian citizen and proactively established contact with the NZ Security Intelligence Service.

'Students will be harmed': teachers react to Government's new curriculum

As the Government rolls out the biggest overhaul of New Zealand's school curriculum in nearly two decades, five high school teachers explain why the reforms have them very concerned.

Another cold and frosty start to the day, as one spot records -7C

Meteorologist John Law told Breakfast said some areas in the North Island overnight recorded their coldest night of the year.

All Blacks: Joy for three new caps – and Beauden Barrett too

The All Blacks' squad of 44 for South Africa contains three uncapped players and some overdue good news for the most experienced of the lot.

Lewis Clareburt wins NZ's first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow

The 27-year-old, who had qualified second for the final, looked well out of the running at the halfway mark - before storming home to defend his title.

Minor injuries after bus crashes near Queenstown

Emergency services were called to Glenorchy Queenstown Road at around 9am.

Rapist who blamed arson on local Māori released on 10th parole attempt

Prominent Northland farmer and anti-Treaty activist Allan Titford has been granted parole on his 10th attempt, after serving almost 13 years behind bars.

Baby missing as mum, toddler found dead in water off SA coast

Emergency services rushed to the state's southernmost coastal town yesterday and encountered the horrific and tragic scene.

Will lozenges or medicated hot drinks make my cough go away?

There are few things more irritating than lying in bed exhausted, ready to settle in for a good night’s sleep, only to be kept awake by a cough that won’t quit.

'Forever home' found after three-plus years in transitional housing

An elderly woman spent three-and-a-half years waiting for social housing to become available in Gisborne.

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Ryan Fox repays All Blacks gesture with beers from the Claret Jug

After drinking from the Bledisloe last year, Ryan Fox brought golf's most famous trophy to All Blacks camp.

Carly Simon has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, treated for skin cancer

Singer Carly Simon has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and was recently treated for skin cancer, the singer shared in a statement provided to The Associated Press.

Mother, toddler found dead in waters near Australia border, as police search for second child

Police hold grave concerns for a missing baby after the bodies of a woman and toddler were pulled from the water near Mount Gambier.

‘Disappointed’ Kiwi world champion fails to fire in Commonwealth Games final

For once at a major athletics championships, Kiwi upset specialist Geordie Beamish could not find the finishing kick when he needed it.

Two pōhutukawa trees poisoned at popular Coromandel beach

The Department of Conservation is investigating the suspected deliberate poisoning of two pōhutukawa trees at Hahei Beach after evidence of “drill and fill” holes was found around their bases.

Watch: ‘Mop Man’ becomes Commonwealth Games star with Queen dance routine

Volunteer goes viral after breaking into performance to ‘I Want to Break Free’ while cleaning a netball court in Glasgow

Company behind gourmet burger chain placed into liquidation

Burgerburger Ltd has been placed into liquidation just a week after efforts were being made to find a buyer for the gourmet burger chain.

Watch: All Whites star pipped as stunner against Argentina voted World Cup’s best goal

Cape Verde made more World Cup history on Monday when Sidny Lopes Cabral won the public vote for goal of the tournament.

Night before she was killed, teen girl texted singer D4vd: 'i will end ur career and ur life'

Prosecutors on Monday gave a moment-by-moment account of the last night of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, showing that after a stream of text messages with singer D4vd, her phone went permanently silent when she arrived at his home.

Major hurricane Genevieve roars in the Pacific as Hurricane Fausto nears Hawaii

MIAMI (AP) — Major Hurricane Genevieve was roaring in the Pacific Ocean far from land Monday morning at the same time that Hurricane Fausto was bringing large surf to Hawaii.

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Free Speech Union attacks reporter for asking minister questions

The Free Speech Union - which exists to defend free speech - has attacked a journalist for asking a minister questions over email.

Doctor at centre of free speech row appointed to Medical Council

Dr Manoja Kalupahana, the anaesthetist whose anonymous social media account sparked a high-profile Free Speech Union campaign, has been appointed by Health Minister Simeon Brown to the body responsible for regulating doctors.

Luxon: Bracket creep tax cuts ‘not on our radar’

Christopher Luxon says he will look at income tax cuts again at some point in the future.

Shane Jones makes the right call on hoiho

EDITORIAL: Protecting the endangered yellow-eyed penguin is the right decision, but it also highlights the broader challenges facing New Zealand's fisheries.

Man arrested in Russia for allegedly spying for New Zealand

In a statement on its website, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had “identified and stopped the illegal activity” of a Russian citizen suspected of “committing terrorism”.

‘Relentless accumulation of pain’: Why we feel so grim about jobs and the economy

ANALYSIS: People are feeling the worst about their employment prospects in two decades, despite headline unemployment having been far worse.

The law that everyone who buys things should know about - but too many don’t

OPINION: A chair, a wet suit, a microwave oven: three examples which suggest both the public and in some instances the retailer do not know, and certainly do not apply, the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Hoiho win permanent fishing protections after year-long fight for survival

A collapse in nesting numbers have pushed the Government into stronger protections for one of New Zealand’s rarest birds.

Saving our conservation land means looking beyond controversies

OPINION: The conservation estate is one of New Zealand’s most prized assets. But owning an asset is not the same as looking after it.

Damp dominates healthy homes standards disputes

All rental properties have had to comply with the healthy homes standards since July 1 2025. In the first year after that date, one in 12 tribunal decisions involved the standards.

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Night-time ram raiders again strike Christchurch shopping mall

Two young people were arrested in a car with four deflated tyres after a ram raid at a Christchurch mall.

Bill Hammond painting expected to sell for up to $1.8m at auction

Zoomorphic Lounge III was painted by Lyttelton artist Bill Hammond in 1999.

Award-winning baker puts down rolling pin after 40 years - and hands the apron to one of his own

Michael Meaclem was 23 when he bought a Christchurch bakery from a retiring baker.

Cold snap fuels all-time record electricity demand

Transpower NZ said the cold weather this week was leading to record electricity demand, with Monday morning's peak demand of 7141 MW an all-time record.

It was her first solo hike. Then she slipped on a rock and heard a snap

When Bernadette Mulders set off on her first solo overnight hike last December, she almost didn’t bother hiring a personal locator beacon.

Work from home mandate for hundreds of council staff as building’s quake-prone concrete panels removed

Hundreds of staff working at Christchurch City Council’s Civic Building have been told to work from home as earthquake strengthening work intensifies.

Eight applicants for every entry-level job: Students squeezed in tight market

One recent graduate has applied to 100 jobs since April, and only landed two interviews.

Man arrested in Russia for allegedly spying for New Zealand

In a statement on its website, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had “identified and stopped the illegal activity” of a Russian citizen suspected of “committing terrorism”.

'We don’t need wi-fi': Plans for rustic park raises questions

A planned million-dollar wi-fi-enabled park has Marlborough’s mayor questioning if the council can take on any more building projects.

‘Underground Canterbury car dealer’ has theft, fraud charges dismissed

Paul Hoeper, who has been linked to a string of high-profile vehicle sale disputes, has had two criminal charges dismissed.

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‘The wheels have come off’: Hamilton amalgamation gets speed wobbles

With just days left before a Government deadline, it seems nobody wants to play the amalgamation game with Hamilton.

'It was heart-wrenching': Neighbour recalls desperate escape from burning home

A Dinsdale resident woke to horror scenes as two neighbours fled their burning home into the icy air on Tuesday, leaving one person critically injured.

Temperatures plummet to -4.4C in Hamilton

Residents woke up to another freezing start, with temperatures across the region plummeting well into the minuses overnight.

Demand ‘skyrockets’ as urgent care helps struggling ED

A Hamilton doctor has highlighted the role urgent care clinics play in taking pressure off overstrained EDs amid a spike of winter flu virus.

Cockies dump on Opportunity’s ‘really bad’ land tax policy

A proposed land tax policy is being described by Federated Farmers as ‘really bad policy’ that could cost farmers five times more than Labour’s proposed methane tax.

Meridian secures consent to build solar farm in Morrinsville

Solar power could be coming to Morrinsville after the country’s largest generator secured consent to build a solar farm on the town’s outskirts.

Thames-Coromandel’s 100% strike rate for youth employment initiative

The local taskforce turned 30 accepted referrals into 30 employment placements, to the excitement of many.

Waikato River Authority warns against weakening Plan Change 1

The Waikato River Authority says farmers' concerns over Plan Change 1 are valid, but warns the river's long-term recovery must not be compromised.

‘Senior leader’ prosecuted for $32K spend-up on ailing uncle’s account

But the woman, who works for a government-owned entity, cannot be named - even though she has owned up to her misdeeds.

Push for extra fire station gets 'disappointing' response

Hamilton’s leaders will have to keep working the corridors to get the city a fourth fire station.

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Amazing: National have finally discovered women exist

A groundbreaking discovery that could change everything.

What we know about the Opportunity Party vote, in six charts

Where supporters come from, the government they want, and how a tiny sliver could completely change the election outcome.

The one thing I’d never given my kids

‘I am the family’s main source of income. What if that income were to disappear? What if I were to disappear?’

Does the economic case for moving to Australia still stack up?

Shamubeel Eaqub crunches the numbers.

The Opportunity Party knocks

A look inside the policy and pronouncements of this weekend’s Green Party AGM.

Coming soon to a concert near you: poo

A disgusting overseas concert trend just landed on the floor of a Dunedin moshpit.

New To Streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week

Including one of the unmissable releases of the year… and The Devil Wears Prada 2

‘I’m so cold’: Dunedin dances in the light of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights

What makes a group of strangers dress all in red and dance together in public on a freezing winter’s day?

With contentious fisheries reforms on hold, should NZ rethink bottom trawling?

It’s time to step back from the immediate political debate and consider what balance to strike between seafood production and the long-term health of the oceans.

One MP, One Pint: Willow-Jean Prime on juggling basketballs, babies and big issues

She had dreams of being a train driver, a basketball player and a te reo teacher, but MP isn’t a bad plan B – even if she hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in a decade.