Anna Leask, specialist in crime and justice reporting for the New Zealand Herald, has covered some of New Zealand’s biggest events, incidents, tragedies and disasters.
Anna Leask is a senior journalist and crime and justice specialist for the New Zealand Herald. From a young age, Anna was an avid storyteller and writer so it was no surprise to anyone when she chose journalism as a career. Anna studied Mass Communications and Sociology at Canterbury University before completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism in 2005. This led her to her first job at The Star in Christchurch. She spent two years there covering all things crime and court and then made the move to the Herald on Sunday. In 2010, Anna became a police reporter, a role that soon came to be much more about broader crime and justice issues, particularly the people involved. Anna has covered some of the most high-profile crimes and events New Zealand has seen. To name a few, the Pike River mine disaster; the Christchurch quakes; and the unprecedented four-day sentencing of the gunman responsible for the 2019 terror attack. Alongside her daily reporting Anna writes, hosts and produces monthly episodes for the chart-topping podcast 'A Moment In Crime' which won a silver award in the true crime category at the inaugural New Zealand Podcast Awards in 2021. You can contact Anna at anna.leask@nzme.co.nz.
Breaking 'Bad': How could New Zealand curb its youth crime crisis?
Herald senior journalist Anna Leask investigates youth crime initiatives in Australia.
One dead after stolen ute flees police, crashes head-on with innocent motorist
Police investigating after late-night incident on SH1 in Ōtaki.
Not murder: US cop who shot NZ man dead during mental health 'crisis' cleared of serious charges
Former deputy found guilty of reckless endangerment after 2022 shooting in Colorado.
Pensioner held hostage, violently assaulted before alleged offender shoots at police
A man is in custody after a firearm was discharged at police in the Bay of Plenty.
Mum of 9-year-old boy who took his own life: 'Why couldn't I have saved him?'
Sage Ross was just 9 when he took his own life. His mother still cannot fathom why.
Where is Pauline Parker? Strange, isolated new life for 'Heavenly Creatures' killer
A new name meant murderer could live abroad in seclusion.
Brother of 'Heavenly Creatures' teen murderess shares 'real' story of her life
Brother of infamous 'Heavenly Creatures' murderer speaks about crime and aftermath.
My sister was insane: Brother of 'Heavenly Creatures' teen murderess shares story on Herald podcast A Moment In Crime
Jonathan Hulme wants to get his sister's trial outcome altered.
Coroner probes driver’s rare eye condition, ‘sub-optimal’ police work at scene of fatal collision
Coroner examines death of man whose bike was struck by a house bus near Timaru
'Indefinitely mothballed': Quake-hit cathedral's dire future unless $30m found by August
Landmark post-quake rebuild in dire trouble after $114m funding gap emerges.
'Horrifying': Mum who fled overseas forced to return kids to 'abusive' father
Hague Convention orders mum must return kids to NZ after fleeing overseas.
NZ police officers 'struggling to put food on the table'; food donations urged
Canterbury police officers are collecting food donations for struggling colleagues.
Coroner dismisses 'heartbroken' parents' suspicion car fall victim was pushed
Nicole Morris died of a head injury after falling from a car seven years ago.
Christchurch man behind porn sites jailed for 14 years in US
Christchurch sex trafficker gets 14 years in American prison.
Mum's mysterious death: Alcohol-induced fall led to fatal head injury
Police and a pathologist say Heather Foote's death was an accident.
'Hell in a handbasket' - Retail industry begs for action as assaults on workers spike
Figures show six retail workers a day are reporting assaults to police
Body in bag case: One week on, where is the investigation at?
Investigators are hunting for fresh leads in mystery case.
Body in bag case: What police know so far
Police are still hunting for information about this week's grisly discovery.
Triple-murderer mum Lauren Dickason's fate to be handed down in June
The Herald previously revealed taxpayers footed her $700k - and rising - legal aid bill.
A Moment In Crime: The callous murder of Marice McGregor
He was charged in 2017, but it took until this year to tell his story.
Mum of man fatally stabbed by partner speaks of 'horrible' loss
Kia-ara Richardson has been found guilty of killing her partner more than four years ago.
Where the wild things are: Locusts, crickets and balls of all kinds on the menu
Explore the crunchy, wriggly, bizarre kai at this year's Wildfoods Festival in Hokitika.
Korean driver sentenced after admitting he caused crash that killed beloved school librarian
'Often the defendant, as here, is an otherwise responsible citizen,' the judge said.
Fatal street race: Cousin of killed and injured men sentenced after horror crash
Ricky Nicholl has been sentenced for his part in a fatal street racing crash.
'I have lived with the shame': Women tricked into porn by Kiwi stand up in court
Christchurch sex trafficker now faces life in American prison.
Number of jobs lost could be even higher in Newshub closure
A source told the Herald freelance workers weren’t invited to this week’s meeting.
Don't you forget about us: Matchbox Twenty's first-ever Christchurch gig a musical spectacular
A nostalgic night with 90s power bands Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls in Chch.
'Deliberate and gratuitous': Jail for man who abused youngster
The court heard he 'blamed' the boy for the offending and had shown no remorse.
Murder accused claims partner stabbed himself in head during fatal argument
A woman is on trial after allegedly murdering a man in Ashburton in 2019.
Gone forever? NZ’s most mysterious missing people
The Herald takes a look at all the people currently listed as missing in New Zealand.
Wife killer released on parole to 'oceanfront luxury' home
The Matamata horse breeder Greg Meads' release has shocked one local who lives nearby.
Kiwi sports star back in court after Christchurch incident
He is accused of wilful damage and taking a $10,000 car but has name suppression.
Christchurch park homicide: Police drop charges against accused man
A 36-year-old man was found at the scene and taken into custody.
Behind the Port Hills lines: Inside the cordon as crews battle ‘grunty’ blaze
The Herald visits the fire field and a property inside the official cordon.
'70 per cent contained': Port Hills still burning, but overnight threats 'nullified'
Lead firefighter says blaze will be 'long-duration incident'. Probe into cause continues.
Dwelling destroyed in Port Hills fire; blaze still not contained
'It seems to be a fast-moving thing,' Fenz tells evacuated Christchurch residents.
Port Hills fire: Helicopters grounded for night; blaze still burns
"It seems to be a fast-moving thing," Fenz tells evacuated Christchurch residents.
Killer mum Lauren Dickason could be sentenced in March
The Herald previously revealed taxpayers footed her $700k - and rising - legal aid bill.
'Serious concerns' over claim mental health worker paid addicted, bipolar patient for sex
Patient disclosed she was a sex worker, mental health staffer later made booking with her.
'Nothing encapsulates the terror': Survivor of serial rapist speaks
She survived a vile serial rapist - now Rhonda McHardy is releasing a powerful memoir.
The murder trials of George Gwaze revisited in Herald podcast A Moment In Crime
He was charged in 2017, but it took until this year to tell his story.
Police investigating alleged assault at greyhound race meeting
Police called after trainer and official allegedly assaulted at greyhound racing track.
King Cobras gang members plead guilty to vicious attack outside gay bar
One of the victims suffered a fractured skull in the attack outside a gay bar.
Murder or self-defence? Details of housing complex murder, violent crime spree revealed
Motu Smith is on trial for allegedly murdering his neighbour, a former gang member.
Missing without a trace at Piha: Six people lost forever at West Auckland paradise
Six people have vanished from the Piha area - who are they and what are their stories?
Overseas visitor charged with causing death of school librarian following Canterbury crash
Driver admits careless driving but is granted name suppression until sentencing date.
Police reveal details of highest breath alcohol readings for 2023
Police reveal who had the highest excess breath alcohol reading in 2023
Sex assault charge for Christchurch singer-songwriter
The musician is facing one historic charge of raping a woman over 16.
Overseas visitor charged with causing death of school librarian following Canterbury crash
Driver admits careless driving but is granted name suppression until sentencing date.
The Patron: Inside the crimes of sex offender James Wallace
He was charged in 2017, but it took until this year to tell his story.
Who killed Jane Furlong? Baffling cold case still unsolved
Jane Furlong was murdered in 1993; police appeal again for info on those responsible.
Great - and terrible - escapes: How Kiwi inmates breached the perimeter
High-profile crim Arthur Taylor reflects on his bolt from prison to a millionaire's bach.
Watch: Dirt biker’s violent attack on Auckland cyclist - can you help track him down?
The cyclist was injured when kicked off his bike by man on illegal dirt bike.
'Watching you like a hawk': Judge's message for domestic abuser
Judge's scathing words to strangling abuser - people have died in less time.
Man charged with assault after fatal stabbing in Christchurch park
The man has been charged following a fatal stabbing in Wycola Park, Hei Hei.
‘Transphobic bigot': Judge throws out student's 'weak' defamation case against academic
Academic rejects claims they defamed student suspended after 'aggressive' exchange.
How Christchurch mum died in Aussie detention centre - Coroner probes mental health care
Leah Porter was awaiting deportation from Aussie after prison sentence when she died.
Cop's murder 'evil, ruthless, and incomprehensible' - but no inquest
The Hunt family wanted a full probe into the murder but the Coroner says it's not needed.
'All consuming': Farming family's 20-year battle with Govt over land error
Fifth-generation farmers at wits' end over long-running boundary botch up.
Grandmother's heartbreaking fight to save grandson from life Oranga Tamariki describes as ‘grim’
Grandmother speaks out about heartbreaking custody battle for 'neglected' grandson.
Court rules Gloriavale top 'shepherd' liable for any breaches against former workers
Employment Court Chief Judge very clear on who is the employer of former sect workers.
Sex abuse victim says high profile businessman who assaulted her is a 'monster'
The man groomed and abused his partner's daughter - but can never be named
Kiwi sports star charged with stealing car keeps name suppression
He is accused of wilful damage and taking a $10,000 car but has name suppression.
In Grace's honour: Five years after she was killed, charity run marks birthday
Millane would have turned 27 this month so her friend ran 27km in her name
Tributes flow for 'beautiful' students killed in roadworks crash
The teens have been named as Trinity Vemoa and Corey-Leigh Tobin of Kaitāia College.
Killer mum Lauren Dickason's sentencing date moved to 2024
The Herald previously revealed taxpayers footed her $700k - and rising - legal aid bill.
‘Clean slate’ for Devast8: Judge tells infamous tattooed offender to quit crime
Notorious offender with Devast8 facial tattoo back in court after violent offending.
Legal aid: How much Kiwi taxpayers are paying for defendants' lawyers
The Herald reveals that since 2019 almost $1 billion in legal aid has been granted.
'Joe deserves better': Friends desperate for answers in Auckland teen cold case
Joanne 'Joe' Chatfield vanished without a trace after leaving 1988 concert.
Kiwi sports star faces 7 years jail after taking car, wilful damage at Christchurch home
He is accused of wilful damage and taking a $10,000 car but has name suppression.
Schoolboy badly burned at camp out of coma, talking again
The 9-year-old was on a school camp when the incident happened.
'Transphobic bigot': Judge blasts student's 'scandalous' defamation claims against academic
Academic refutes claims they defamed student suspended after 'aggressive' exchange.
The life and death of notorious offender who sexually abused own daughter for 20+ years - crimes revisited in Herald podcast
Herald podcast tells story of a man who violated his own daughter for almost 30 years.
Road to the Cup: An inside look into training a champion
The Herald heads to the beach at dawn as harness-racing hopefuls train on sand and surf.
Second Kiwi pensioner facing life in prison in Aussie after heroin found in suitcase
A 70-year-old New Zealander was stopped at Melbourne International Airport on Wednesday.
Cup Day fashion: A top judge reveals what's hot and what's not
Fashion in the field judge gives tips and trends ahead of Cup Day in Christchurch.
'Absolutely gutted': Nelson homicide victim remembered by loved ones
Whiri Barton died after an incident on Friday night, police are investigating.
Police converge on Christchurch stadium after man found with severe injuries
Police and paramedics are responding to the incident.