The jewel is Tiwai Island, a “sanctuary of rare flora and fauna”, largely untouched by humans, a Unesco World Heritage Site and top of Intrepid Travel’s Not Hot List. That’s their “call to action to curious travellers”, highlighting 10 places ready to welcome travellers in 2026. Mostly because you’re into nature, culture and adventure, with mountain trails, wildlife safaris – including gorilla trekking – and unforgettable beaches. Adventurous travellers should add gorilla trekking in Cameroon and Rwanda to their travel wish-lists for 2026. Uzbekistan is the most tourist friendly due to its ancient cities, such as Samarkand and Bukhara (Unesco World Heritage sites), but each stan offers a unique experience.

The Te Huia train from Hamilton to Auckland was another customer, and Inter-Weave also did business with a customer supplying Cessna. Some of what was being produced was a combination of Australian and New Zealand wool, while other products were 100% New Zealand wool. The campaign promoted the use of New Zealand wool. Kara Biggs, Campaign for Wool NZ general manager, said the group wanted more New Zealand wool in homes, offices and aircraft. “The largest order we ever got was for the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

Police are investigating an unexplained death in the suburb of Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Police are investigating an unexplained death at a Devonport property, which has left neighbours shocked. The death occurred in the suburb of Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore late on New Year’s Day. Multiple neighbours told the Herald they understood the home’s owners were a couple in their 60s who were not at the property at the time of the incident.

This drains precisely the cohort needed to renew and lead New Zealand’s mid-market businesses. When succession planning fails at this level, it represents not isolated outcomes but a systemic erosion of locally owned enterprise. Succession planning cannot be treated as an end-stage exit exercise. And for advisers, it means challenging clients earlier and more directly about succession readiness, even at the risk of uncomfortable conversations. Every capable manager who leaves the mid-market, every business that defaults to consolidation because internal transition was not viable, and every founder who delays succession planning until options have narrowed contributes to a broader pattern.

On Thursday, there were no such mitigating factors, just a stubborn Jets resistance and an Auckland team that couldn’t find an answer, with only Jesse Randall’s free-kick goal to show for their 22 shots. The two-week break between matches wouldn’t have helped after their away clash with Sydney FC was postponed due to an unsuitable pitch but Corica refused to make any excuses. But from there, Auckland FC had ample time for a comeback. It’s not always easy against 10 men – and the Jets sat deep and stayed compact– but Auckland were wasteful. “We didn’t move the ball quickly [enough], we didn’t create, we didn’t hurt them,” said Corica.

A cyber data breach on the ManageMyHealth app, used to connect patients with clinicians, was revealed on New Year's Eve. A cyber data breach on the ManageMyHealth app, used to connect patients with clinicians, was revealed on New Year's Eve. Photo / 123RFHealth officials have confirmed that a major cyber data breach on a patient portal app has not impacted Health New Zealand systems. As a result, it had activated its own incident management team after more than 108,000 ManageMyHealth app users were affected in a cyber data breach confirmed on New Year’s Eve. The app - said to be the country’s largest patient information portal - connects patients with clinicians and gives them access to medical records.

BNZ chief economist Mike Jones said house prices might rise 4 percent over 2026, about the same as the Reserve Bank's forecast. "We've had three years in which house prices basically went sideways - we think the trend will bend upwards." "We still have house prices going sideways or potentially drifting slightly down through the next year. Rental marketJones said what happened with the rental market would depend on population growth. Kiernan agreed the rental market was likely to be flat too.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for Northland and Auckland, extending to a line roughly corresponding to the boundary with Waikato, south of Pukekohe. Severe thunderstorm warnings on Northland and Auckland have been lifted but watches remain in place for both regions. “We’ve got our ingredients y’all!” MetService wrote on X about the severe weather watches issued for Auckland and Northland. The severe thunderstorm warning for Auckland affected those in Auckland City, Waitākere, Rodney, Gulf and Albany. ⛈️🟡Northland and Auckland: Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued🟡⛈️🧑‍🍳We've got our ingredients y'all!

Henwood said repeated instructions given over a loudhailer to leave the park were ignored by those gathered, forcing officers to intervene and move the crowd on. In nearby Pāuanui, police encountered another large group of about 300 youth near the Surf Club Reserve. While officers were arresting a person for lighting fireworks in a dangerous manner, a number of those present became physically obstructive, further escalating the situation. Seven youths were arrested in Whangamatā and one in Pāuanui. “Not only does this behaviour put my team at risk – it also puts other attending youth at risk.

"The number of referrals we are receiving is greater than the number of clinical appointments we can make available. Mr Van Kempen, a tractor driver from Kurow who works in Oamaru, said that was not good enough. Or just carry on and wait till I can’t walk any more. "Altogether the system can’t get much worse for me. Have you been affected by excessive surgery wait times?

Acting Area Commander Manawatū, Ashley Gurney, said officers spotted the Holden Captiva about 7.15pm – about five minutes before the crash with the van – on Queen St.“But when signalled to stop, the driver failed to do so. A section of the highway was closed until shortly after 11pm. Police investigating if alcohol a factor“We want to thank the first responders to what was a challenging scene, with three injured people and two extensively damaged vehicles. Police are appealing for members of the public who may have witnessed the Holden Captiva driving south through Levin prior to the crash. Anyone who has dashcam footage or any other video that may help investigators is being asked to contact police.

Two people were seriously injured after falling from a Ferris wheel at the Rolling Meadows music festival in Christchurch last night, the New Zealand Herald is reporting. The Herald reported Hato Hone St John as saying two men were taken to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition, after falling at about 2.10am on one of the final rides of the night. It had been reported the incident involved three men who were swinging the bucket they were in, and were told to stop immediately. As the operator began stopping the ride to unload occupants, the bucket the men had made swing tipped, and they fell out, Event Hire director Phil Anderson was quoted as saying. It was reported WorkSafe had been notified of the incident and a full technical review of the equipment would be carried out by an independent engineer.

Its use alongside New Zealand does not rewrite history. “Aotearoa” signals something different: whakapapa, prior authority and an unresolved Treaty relationship. The argument centres on recognition: recognition of a name rooted in place, recognition of a culture foundational to the nation. Aotearoa does not compete with New Zealand. The sharper question remains unasked: why does a word older than the state still trigger outrage among people who call this place home?

Neighbourly has been taken offline while claims of a data breach are investigated. Website Neighbourly taken down after claims of data breachNeighbourly has been taken offline while claims of a data breach are investigated. Photo / ScreenshotWebsite Neighbourly has been temporarily taken down following claims of a data breach. A Neighbourly spokesperson said on Thursday it became aware of claims of a breach of its members’ data. The spokesperson said Neighbourly and an external data security team are investigating the claims.

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