What Russia wants for peace and why some countries are pushing back

Russia is apparently ready to go to war with Europe, according to its President. Vladimir Putin met with the US negotiators this week for about five hours to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. He has accused European leaders of trying to scupper his peace talks with the US, saying that their twea…

Local government shake-up explained: Rate caps, mayors board and services

Regional, territorial, unitary, wards and boards. Local government in New Zealand is made up of 78 different councils that make decisions we encounter daily. The roads, air, rubbish, waters, environment – it's all local government. So, why has central government announced a need for change? And …

How a new report says we can modernise laws on consent and sexual harm

There are calls for urgent changes to modernise our laws to better protect victims of sexual violence. A new Helen Clarke Foundation report identifies several gaps in our laws that need closing and changes to our justice system to reduce underreporting. Ministry of Justice data estimates about 20…

Nau mai Ikea: What to know before Sylvia Park store opens

It’s the moment anyone looking for a conveniently packaged, Swedish designed kitchen cabinet is waiting for. Ikea opens in Auckland this week at Sylvia Park – and it’ll be the company’s largest store in the Southern Hemisphere, about the size of three rugby fields. You’d be pressed to find someon…

The Fall of the House of Du Val: inside the saga behind the new podcast

It has been a tumultuous time since the collapse of the Du Val property development group. It was August last year we saw police raid a Remuera property – leaving with a number of assets owned by Charlotte and Kenyon Clarke. Since then it’s been a tsunami of court hearings, social media posts, an…

From villain to icon: Why the Grinch is everywhere this Christmas

The mistlestoe's hung, the bells are a'ringing  And all through the malls Mariah Carey is singing  It's the same old story, told year after year  Of Santa and reindeer and widespread good cheer  But look a bit closer, and you might see a crack  In the stronghold St Nick has had since way back …

Chris Penk promises overhaul of mould‑ridden Defence housing in new plan

The Government’s released its plan to get our Defence infrastructure up to scratch – some of which hasn’t been touched in decades. The Defence Estate Portfolio sets out how $2.5 billion will be spent over the next 15 years. At the same time, the Future Naval Base Programme is pinned at $4b over 3…

How Cook Islands‑flagged ships became tied to Russian and Iranian oil trade

The Cook Islands’ flag has flown from more than a hundred oil tankers implicated in illicitly trading Russian and Iranian oil. A special Herald investigation has revealed that it’s sparked alarm from foreign governments – with New Zealand diplomats fielding concerns from Helsinki and London. Our …

Inside Parliament’s property portfolio: Who owns what, and why it matters

Our MPs have stakes in a combined $379 million of property in New Zealand. A Herald investigation has found that’s an average of $3.16 million across each of our 120 Members of Parliament. And despite the rumours, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon doesn’t top the list as the most lavish. Today on…

Exclusive: Michael Wood confirms political return

Former cabinet minister, Michael Wood, will be running for the Labour Party in next year’s general election. He’ll be running for the Mt Roskill seat. The former MP’s career came crashing down in 2023, after he was forced to resign as Minister for Transport after it was revealed he failed to disc…