Retail embarrassment, great walks, the c-word and more – fill your browser tabs with this year's most popular reads.

Expectations were repeatedly raised and dashed, but 2025 ended up being another frustrating year in the desert for many New Zealanders.

Love made Yawynne Yem self-conscious about living in a Wellington council house. But now she wishes she could take her boyfriend to see where she once covered black mould with One Direction posters.

From West End Girl to Te Whare Tīwekaweka, these are the music moments that stopped us in our tracks this year.  

A subjective list, just in time for summer.

Billionaires, secrets, conspiracy theories, denials of racism, contempt of court and twists at every turn. This case had it all.

With Tova O'Brien's move to Breakfast and changes ahead for Herald Now and RNZ, the AM is set to heat up in 2026. 

A smorgasbord of wisdom for almost every possible situation.

By focusing on how hard or how smart we work, all this talk about productivity is completely missing the point.

Jim Grenon suggested to controversial evangelist Julian Batchelor that he should sue TVNZ, according to evidence given in court.

What’s worked, what’s gone madly wrong and what’s now brewing in Aotearoa.