Body washes up on Māhanga Beach, Hawke’s Bay; investigations underway
A member of the public made the discovery on the beach at about 1pm on February 14. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Body washes up on Māhanga Beach, Hawke’s Bay; investigations underwayA member of the public made the discovery on the beach at about 1pm on February 14. Photo / Google MapsInquiries are underway after a body washed up on Māhanga Beach, near Wairoa. Tuai Senior Constable Tony Mault said a member of the public called police after discovering the body yesterday at about 1pm.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 03:42 UTC
‘Germaori’ claim over Chatham Islands waka rejected by Māori appeal court
Sixtus identified herself as an interested party and applied to the Māori Land Court in September 2025 for an interim injunction preventing any removal, conservation, or handling of the artefacts. The Māori Land Court dismissed her application, finding they lacked jurisdiction because her claim did not fall within the statutory definition of taonga tūturu. Sixtus appealed that decision to the Māori Appellate Court in December 2025, but her paperwork was rejected from the outset. “In our view, none of these sections is relevant to the Māori Land Court decision or the appeal before this Court,” the decision said. She also went into her interpretation of the word “Māori”, claiming the word was an invention.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 03:32 UTC
Mainstream media back to using whaleoil for story ideas
You would have thought that after the exposure of the ease of manipulation Cameron Slater exerted over the mainstream media, that they would steer clear of him like a radioactive ebola victim exhibiting the first symptoms of the bubonic plague. Nicky Hager’s smashed evidence from an illegal search has barely been swept from the steps of the High Court, and here are the media once again using Slater as a source for an attack on a Labour MP. The manner in which ‘news’ in NZ has descended into click bait using social media as the source is lazy, vacuous and under funded journalism at best, but allowing a crypto-facist who’s been on his best behaviour while under numerous legal defamation cases to once again lead the mainstream media is dangerous. For those in the media who seem to have forgotten……which makes using whaleoil for story ideas to ping Sue Moroney on twitter is so 2013. It’s like Jason Ede never existed.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 03:29 UTC
Hamilton travel guide: How to spend 12 perfect hours in the city
Lunch at Hayes Common33 Jellicoe Dr, Hamilton East, HamiltonIn East Hamilton, neighbourhood favourite Hayes Common delivers seasonal, locally sourced fare. Photo / SuppliedIt’s time to head to East Hamilton, to one of the best neighbourhood spots in the country, Hayes Common. A Visit to Hamilton Gardens300a Grey St, Hamilton East, HamiltonHamilton Gardens is a must-see, with 18 themed spaces spanning 4,000 years of garden design. Uncover Lovegrove Lane394 Grey St, Hamilton East, HamiltonWith fingers full of green inspiration, you must now check out Lovegrove Lane. Explore Made401 Grey St, Hamilton East, HamiltonA three-level spot for food, fashion and good finds, all under one industrial roof.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 02:46 UTC
Without healthcare, the US would have nearly 400,000 fewer jobs than it did a year ago
Healthcare wages grew by 1.3% in 2025, after adjusting for inflation, more than double the overall rate of 0.5% for all jobs, according to analysis by Mahoney and Caleb Brobst at Stanford. Many jobs in healthcare require specialised training and certifications, leaving employers with a limited pool of candidates. Still, economists say it’s likely that healthcare workers will remain highly coveted, even if other parts of the economy begin slowing. “We’re likely to see some acute labour shortages in healthcare, especially as immigration falls to zero,” said Sam Kuhn, an economist at the recruitment software company Appcast. “But is demand for healthcare workers going to continue?
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 01:39 UTC
State of emergency declared for Tararua District ahead of incoming severe weather
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Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 01:12 UTC
Two-year ban on taking shellfish and seaweed from rockpools north of Auckland
The ban will take effect from March 12 and will be enforced by fishery officers. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced the Government is imposing a two-year ban on taking shellfish from rockpools north of Auckland. Fisheries worked with the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Jones said, to enact a traditional rāhui. “My decision excludes some of the species and areas requested by Ngāti Manuhiri where existing closures and restrictions apply.”All seaweed, invertebrate and shellfish were covered, he said, as well as sponges, starfish, anemone and sea cucumbers. “I decided to allow kina to continue to be taken as managing kina barrens is a priority for me.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 00:56 UTC
Police investigating after woman assaulted at Hamilton home after confronting intruders
NZ Herald Morning News Update | Wellington Water board chairman steps down, one dead in crash, more serious weather on way for eastern North Island. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Police investigating after woman assaulted at Hamilton home after confronting intrudersPolice are investigating an “appalling” incident in Hamilton, where a woman was assaulted in her home. Two men tried to enter the woman’s property on Clarkin Rd, Fairfield at around 9pm yesterday and assaulted her after she confronted them, Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson said. The duo fled the address towards River Rd, leaving the victim with injuries requiring hospitalisation.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 00:37 UTC
Tauranga man imprisoned for strangulation and assault of ex-partner
It was June 2023, and the man had been texting her all day, asking to see her at her home in Tauranga. The man was sentenced in the Tauranga District Court in late January, following a trial heard last year. The woman acknowledged that while the man had some good qualities, his bad qualities had been more “prominent”. When it came to the jury trial, she was relieved the man was found guilty on the strangulation charge. The Crown had submitted any good character discount was “utterly off the table”, as the man had 29 previous convictions.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 00:31 UTC
Ōtorohanga flooding: Father dies after car swept away near Puketotara
Passionate angler Brent Knowles died in Friday night's floods in Ōtorohanga. Ōtorohanga District Mayor Rodney Dow today activated the Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund, aimed at helping individuals, families, small businesses, community organisations and marae facing hardship after the flooding event. As the district grapples with the loss, local leaders say the tragedy has shaken the tight-knit community. The fund can receive contributions from the council, businesses, community groups and members of the public, with donations able to be made to the Ōtorohanga District Council – Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund (account number: 02-0392-0018241-003). He previously worked as a journalist in Canada for Black Press Media and won a fellowship with the Vancouver Sun.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 15, 2026 00:10 UTC
SailGP Auckland: French reaction in Black Foils crash might have saved a life, says British sailor Freddie Carr
There is nothing that anyone on board the Kiwi boat in that split second can do, and it’s horrible, and you’re waiting for the regrip,” Carr explained. “We all saw what happened when the boat regripped. It was a super-scary situation.”In response to Saturday’s crash, SailGP made the call to race in a split-fleet format for Sunday’s racing. The Black Foils and France were drafted into group A, but neither will be sailing on Sunday. And it’s probably an appropriate reaction to what we saw out on the racecourse yesterday,” Carr said of the decision.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 14, 2026 23:48 UTC
Act will campaign on cutting number of Government departments from 41 to no more than 30
Seymour himself floated the idea of capping ministers and departments in a speech last May. “The Ministry for Regulation has been trying to count the number of regulatory agencies in New Zealand. “Labour appointed a Minister for Auckland without any actual budget, department or responsibility. “Reducing the number of ministers will save money, but it will also change the point of being a minister. “Instead, one minister will be solely accountable for getting results for their budget of taxpayer money from their department,” he said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 14, 2026 23:42 UTC
Person dies after being thrown from vehicle in late-night Whangārei crash
Emergency services were notified of the single-vehicle accident at about 10.50pm yesterday. Person dies after being thrown from vehicle in late-night Whangārei crashEmergency services were notified of the single-vehicle accident at about 10.50pm yesterday. A person has died after being ejected from a vehicle in a Whangārei crash. Emergency services were notified of the single-vehicle accident on Knight Rd, Ruatangata West, at about 10.50pm yesterday. The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit undertook a scene examination but has since reopened.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 14, 2026 23:41 UTC
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford speaks about holding his wedding amid tragedy following Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa slips
Rutherford, 29, spent Thursday on the ground at the Mount Maunganui slip site. He spent the day before his wedding there too, alongside Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, as well as making a visit to the site of the Pāpāmoa landslide. “I did find it really conflicting, but I knew that my priority needed to be my community, and then on the Saturday, my priority being Hannah and our marriage. “I think that’s one of the reasons why we make such a formidable and strong team, her support for me, her love. The pair were married in an intimate affair at the popular wedding venue, Black Walnut, in Whakamārama, a 30-minute drive from Tauranga.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 14, 2026 23:02 UTC
Taking shellfish from Auckland rockpools banned
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. Photo: RNZAfter a public outcry, the government is imposing a two-year ban on taking shellfish from rockpools north of Auckland - and the minister in charge is blaming migrant communities. Fisheries worked with the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, Jones said, to enact a traditional rāhui. "My decision excludes some of the species and areas requested by Ngāti Manuhiri where existing closures and restrictions apply." The closure did not apply to any aquaculture activities such as marine farming or the collection of spat (small juvenile shellfish), Jones and Marcroft said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 14, 2026 22:58 UTC