Newspapers from New Zealand

Too hot for hops

hawke’s Bay’s sizzling weekend weather that peaked at 37C was hot enough to close walking tracks and even shut a brewery. According to MetService, the region baked through one of its hottest days of the season, with Hastings reaching 36.5C and Napier...

‘Left to disappear’

Overgrown footpaths are pushing pedestrians onto a busy Far North highway, after the council confirmed vegetation control in parts of pononi and māpere is not covered by its maintenance contract. Residents in pononi and māpere said they have raised...

Body found after man goes missing at lake

Aman has died at Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) near Rotorua, in the second water death in the Bay of Plenty over the weekend. Police were called about 10.30pm on Friday to a report of a man who had not returned from a swim. The man’s body was found...

Overgrown paths push walkers onto road

Overgrown footpaths are pushing pedestrians onto a busy Far North highway, after the council confirmed vegetation control in parts of pononi and ma¯pere is not covered by its maintenance contract. Residents in pononi and ma¯pere said they have raised...

Fundraising push to revive Fordell pool

Acommunity is rallying to secure the future of its pool. The Fordell Community Pool is closed this season because the pump is not able to circulate the water, which posed a health and safety risk for users. Sarah Thompson, of the Fordell Community...

Renter power is rising

It’s not often housing policy expert Stuart Donovan sees the housing market in action in person. But he and his partner are in the process of moving after asking for a rent reduction and being told no. So by the end of the month they will be moving...

You may have noticed a few changes to your Sunday Star-Times over these summer holiday weeks.

Sunday magazine and the Travel lift-out are enjoying a well-deserved summer break and will return next week for our January 18 edition. In the meantime, we have boosted our pages of quizzes and puzzles, and will run our Pitch Perfect series on the...

Anglers still baiting up

Callum McFarlane picks his way down the narrow track to Papanui Point knowing exactly what has happened there before. More than 20 people have died on the jagged west coast outcrop, yet on a clear, blue-sky day early in the new year, he was back —...

Probe launched into school exorcism claims

An investigation is under way into claims “deliverance and exorcism” rituals to rid students of “demonic serpents” were performed by staff at an embattled Auckland school. Two staff members at Wesley College have been suspended amid concerns the...

Skin cancer is a ‘huge issue’, doctor says

A skin cancer clinic opens in Invercargill this week, for a community its founder says has a “huge issue’’ with the disease. Dr Sophie Sharpe, a GP with a significant surgical background, will be providing skin cancer checks and minor surgical...

Here’s the most popular reads of 2025

The Timaru District’s libraries’ boss was heartened to see some Kiwi titles crack their top 10 issued list in 2025. Michael Priest, the Timaru District Council’s general manager gallery, libraries, archives and museum said the popularity of A...

Monkey bars’ reign of pain

Bumps, scrapes, and breaks happen every day in the playground, but it’s the monkey bars that are head and shoulders above the rest for causing injuries. Data from ACC shows the number of injuries relating to playgrounds across New Zealand has been...

Uses sought for old nacelles

The imminent dismantling of the Te Rere Hau wind turbines above the Palmerston North skyline has posed a recycling conundrum the community is asked to help to solve. When Meridian takes the wind farm’s 97 twin-bladed turbines apart later this year to...

More new homes than post-quake

More new homes are going up in Christchurch now than during the peak of the post-earthquake rebuild. In the year to November, more than 6400 homes were consented across Christchurch city and the Selwyn and Waimakariri districts, according to the...

Kiwi fighters targeted by Russian intelligence

Kiwis considering joining the Ukraine International Legion have been told to stay off social media — and insist family and friends don’t post anything suggesting they’re going — amid widespread online targeting of foreign fighters. That includes...

Region tipped to hit 33C

Gisborne residents might be looking for ways to cool down this weekend as temperatures soar. MetService has issued a heat alert for the region tomorrow, which is expected to reach 32C, and a “muggy” 19C overnight low. Heat alerts are issued the day...

Police officers’ links to gangs spark concerns

An Auckland police officer was living with a gang member who was suspected of drug dealing and money laundering, the Weekend Herald can reveal. Police raided the property where the King Cobras member was living with his partner and her daughter from a...

Royal recognition for Lorraine and Gerald

Two Marlborough leaders have been recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours list, each appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Dr Lorraine Eade received the honour for services to Māori, governance and the community. She has held a...

BLACK CLASH!

KIERAN READ AND DANIEL VETTORI’S CELEB TEAMMATES FOR EPIC CRICKET BATTLE

FROM FLUFFY TO FIERCE!

How cute snowy owl chicks grow up to become powerful predators

HOMEGROWN CUT FLOWERS

Fabulous flowers (especially dahlias!), fantastic upcycling & a flying fox off-the-grid in Eketāhuna • A quirky & creative Oamaru garden full of art & colour • Meet the volunteers replanting native trees along Ōtaki River • Brewing peach-flavoured...

ON THE COVER

Colourful design enlivens this home on Waikanae Beach – see page 24. Photograph by Paul Mccredie

Blueberry banquet Savoury ways with summerʼs sweetie

SUMMER STYLE ESSENTIALS

CHORIZO EMPANADAS, CHIMICHURRI VERDE, CHICKEN FLAUTAS, KINGFISH PASTRAMI, PRAWN QUESADILLAS, SNAPPER CEVICHE, TUNA TOSTADA, STRAWBERRY & TOMATO SALSA, PORK KEBABS, SMACKED CUCUMBERS, STEAK LIKE TARTARE, ROASTED PRAWNS, PLUM & MANGO MOCHI, STRAWBERRY &...

HOW WE TRAVEL

Because it is important for our journalists to have first-hand experience, it can be necessary to accept assistance from travel operators. However, we never promise positive coverage in return.

Summer hacks for happy pot plants

Plants add life and charm to a home, making spaces more appealing, but they can suffer in the heat. To keep your pot plants lush over summer to impress prospective buyers, or enjoy a stress-free break, these simple strategies will help ensure they...

CHRISTCHURCH CENTRAL

Price: $ 899,000 Open home: Sunday 21, 1.45pm-2.15pm Just steps from Victoria Street’s cafés, Hagley Park, and the city’s dynamic dining, retail, and cultural scene, this property represents the best of modern urban living. Expansive open-plan living...

Easy living, elevated outlook in Fitzroy

Fitzroy’s lifestyle options of beach and surf, walkway, cafe, and golf are enviable, and an address in this New Plymouth seafront suburb has long been sought-after by property buyers. Add an easy-care, elevated setting to those lifestyle attractions,...

Quiz

1 Formula One driver Oscar Piastri comes from which country? 2 Where does a traditionally dressed Scot wear their sgian dubh? 3 What does a cetologist study? 4 The Bride pursues the Deadly Vipers in which movie? 5 Adipose tissue is another name for...

Beautifully renovated bungalow

Architecturally designed in the 1960s, this home balances classic character with modern family convenience. Flooded with sunlight and framed by iconic 60s feature windows, it exudes warmth and timeless style. Multiple living areas include two upstairs...

Christmas magic comes to the Arts Junction

Katikati’s Arts Junction has become a festive hub this December, with ‘Christmas in the Junction’ – a reimagined Santa’s Grotto from previous years - bringing movies, music, stories, festive displays, and of course Santa, all under one roof. Running...

Parade was a real cracker...

Feilding’s Christmas spirit was on full display over the weekend as one of the most well attended Christmas carnivals and parades took over the streets. Feilding & District Promotion (FDP) work with the Manchester Lions to deliver the programme of...

New festival puts music centre stage

IAN ALLEN Fruit Loop is going to be big. “We’re not just going to throw up a stage with a DJ and a little bit of lighting, we’re going to go big with the production and even dress the space to feel like a festival,” organiser Jesse North said. Think...

Family haven with space for every occasion

For John and Raewyn, the decision to buy 101 Clifton Terrace back in 2000 was driven by a need for space. With teenage sons, they were looking for a home that could grow with their family. What they found was a 1970s design masterpiece layered over...

SOLD

Amazing spaces! Buyers, we've listened. After time on the market and plenty of feedback, we're changing the game - 17 Donegal Crescent is seriously for sale. The vendor is making the next move to a retirement village, and this opens the door for you....

FROM THE EDITOR

If you need your footy hit over summer, then watch some sevens, either live or on the box. As I write these words, we are rejoicing that both our national sevens team have, for the first time since early 2024, both won the same tournament. The All...

Wow Factor On Waitoetoe Road

Welcome to 78a Waitoetoe Road. This beautifully presented property offers a diverse mix of flat-to-rolling coastal land, providing both excellent usability and impressive visual appeal. A central race system forms the backbone of the farm layout, with...

Wellington Market Update

Chris describes this year as “a gradual burn” - a market that has reacted quickly to both positive and negative news, but is now beginning to pull through. The recent OCR cut has also provided a welcome lift for buyers. “Every little bit helps,” he...

The smart home seller’s guide:

Selling your home now means navigating A Buyers’ market. With more properties listed than there Are Active Buyers, the power shifts. Buyers can Be more selective, And homes may take longer to sell. In this climate, your choice of real estate company...

What does the market want?

Fonterra, NZ Merino, Atkins Ranch and more weigh in on the changing customer demands and farmers’ efforts to match them

50+ HOMEGROWN RECIPES

• Vibrant salads • Outdoor cooking • Sharing plates • Dips & nibbles • Sweet treats • Cordials, mocktails & cocktails

RICK STEIN

Rick Stein may have opened his first eatery, The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall, England, more than 50 years ago, and he may be preparing to celebrate his 79th birthday on 4 January. Yet get him onto the subject of his upcoming restaurant...

HOMES Rhythm and soul

A hand-built home near Raglan embodies the spirit of manaakitanga.

Fonterra brands gone

Farmer shareholders have said yes to selling off iconic brands to French dairy giant.

DYNAMIC DUO

Universal Cranes recently took delivery of New Zealand’s first two 10x4 S-Ways – one rigid and one tractor unit. A factory-built configuration with competitive tare weight, fitted with Fassi cranes, they are a strong addition to the company’s...

WHAT'S INSIDE?

Rethinking the urban dream What liability law changes mean for landscapers Environmental impacts of compacted soil

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR CHRISTMAS

Winter a strategic time to buy, sell

When the temperature drops and the days shorten, many buyers and sellers assume the property market hibernates, so they wait for spring to look or list. But for the savvy, winter offers unique opportunities for both buyers and sellers in the real...

Winter a strategic time to buy, sell

When the temperature drops and the days shorten, many buyers and sellers assume the property market hibernates, so they wait for spring to look or list. But for the savvy, winter offers unique opportunities for both buyers and sellers in the real...

Robur Hire

Attachment specialists

Melanie Bracewell

Beyond the punchline.