Iran, US trade strikes as Trump dismisses report of deal
Iran's Revolutionary Guard targeted a US airbase today after the US military carried out what a Washington official said were strikes on an Iranian drone operation near the Strait of Hormuz.
Former Highlander appeals sex offence conviction
Former Highlander appeals sex offence conviction
Public prosecutors say they will fight an appeal by a former Highlander and Manu Samoa head coach, following his recent conviction for multiple sex offences.
$48m boost for Māori broadcasting
$48m boost for Māori broadcasting
Pokere Paewai of RNZA boost for Māori broadcasting is the one main highlight for Māori in this year's Budget.
Money to shore up South Is state highways
Money to shore up South Is state highways
Budget 2026 contains funding for just one Road of National Significance and will help ensure state highways are resilient due to severe weather events.
Funeral held for mum and daughter who died in fire
Mum and daughter who died in house fire farewelled
Hundreds of people have farewelled a mother and her young daughter who were killed in a Christchurch house fire earlier this month.
Opposition: Govt making Kiwis' lives harder
Opposition: Govt making Kiwis' lives harder
The Opposition says this year's Budget leaves Kiwis to fend for themselves, with more spending for prisons and more children in poverty.
Willis' superannuation comments an 'unfortunate mistake': Peters
Willis' superannuation comments an 'unfortunate mistake': Peters
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the Finance Minister made an "unfortunate mistake" when she made comments about superannuation during the Budget-lock up.
Spending on Pacific aid and defence
Spending on Pacific aid and defence
Budget 2026 will see more foreign aid to the Pacific region, while defence and customs spending rises with an eye towards crime and security.
Govt creates $450m stash to address fuel crisis
Govt creates $450m stash to address fuel crisis
The government has announced it is holding $450 million in reserve to address further shocks caused by high fuel prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Boost for trades training as tertiary subsidies frozen
Boost for trades training as tertiary subsidies frozen
The Budget boosts spending on curriculum changes and trade training for teens, freezes nearly all tertiary subsidies and fast-tracks a modest boost for early childhood services.
Big boost for health
Big boost for health
Health gets $5.8 billion of new spending, including a $5.5b increase to frontline services over four years.
Country 'digging its way out of the post-Covid hole'
Country 'digging its way out of the post-Covid hole'
An end to the Middle East conflict, financial discipline and a return to solid economic growth are being relied on to deliver a quicker return to budget surpluses.
Budget 2026 at a glance
Budget 2026 at a glance
As promised, the Finance Minister has delivered a bread-and-butter Budget 2026, with few big surprises and no sign of a lolly scramble.
Students march to Octagon in protest of scrapping fees free
Students march to Octagon in protest of scrapping fees free
Students protesting the government’s decision to scrap fees free have told supporters that nothing short of a ‘‘legitimate mass movement’’ was needed to effect long-term change.
No 'sugar hits' as Willis battles to balance books
No 'sugar hits' as Willis battles to balance books
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has used her election-year Budget to preach prudence and discipline, with the books now forecast to be back in black a year earlier than picked.
'Grand Designs' castle in Canterbury up for sale
'Grand Designs' castle in Canterbury up for sale
A luxury "post-modern castle" in Canterbury that appeared on 'Grand Designs New Zealand' in 2022 is on the market.
Luxon, UK PM talk war, cost of living in call
Luxon, UK PM talk war, cost of living in call
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke with his British counterpart Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday night to discuss the Iran and Ukraine wars, as well as the cost of living.
13 cases of hantavirus from cruise outbreak
13 cases of hantavirus from cruise outbreak
The number of cases of hantavirus linked to a cruise ship at the centre of an outbreak has increased to 13, the head of the World Health Organisation has confirmed.
11 feared dead in chemical vat rupture
11 feared dead in chemical vat rupture
The search for nine people missing after a chemical tank imploded and ruptured in Washington state has moved from a rescue to a recovery effort, likely brining the death toll to 11, authorities say.
PA who injected Matthew Perry with lethal dose jailed
PA who injected Matthew Perry with lethal dose jailed
The personal assistant who injected Friends star Matthew Perry with a fatal dose of ketamine has been jailed for 41 months, the last of five people who admitted to playing roles in the actor's death.