Business journalist Christopher Adams, 34, who died on holiday in Cambodia this week, was a star reporter from the moment he walked into the New Zealand Herald offices as a student intern.
His first big story, on the impact of Chinese demand for New Zealand infant formula, hit the front page of the Weekend Herald in January 2010.
It lifted the curtain on an issue which would snowball to the highest levels of New Zealand Government and business.
Adams' work uncovered evidence that soaring demand for New Zealand infant formula in China was driving illegal exports and unsafe practices which were causing official concern in Beijing.
His dogged contact work and old school reporting was able to shed light on growing concern among Chinese officials which ultimately led to the restructuring of the industry in this country.