Ben Tomsett is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, based in Dunedin.
Prior to joining the Herald, Ben Tomsett wrote for the Otago Daily Times and Southland Express out of Invercargill. He grew up on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Tapanui, West Otago. Following his high schooling at Blue Mountain College, he went on to complete a diploma in Film and Television Production and a Diploma in Journalism at Aoraki Polytechnic. Post-studies, he put writing on the back burner and set out abroad to make a few stories of his own. Snowboard instructing was a cost-efficient and highly enjoyable avenue to see the mountains of the world while working odd jobs such as fruit picking in British Columbia, Canada, and making soap on an organic donkey farm in Midi-Pyrénées, France, gave him decent journal fodder. On the coattails of the global pandemic, Ben returned to New Zealand in 2020 and later took his first job as a journalist close enough to his old stomping grounds. He quickly found telling the stories of New Zealanders was more rewarding and exciting than writing his own. He has a broad range of interests, though he tends to lean towards local politics, farming, the environment, and tales of the bizarre. In 2022, Ben was named runner-up for best junior news journalist at the New Zealand Community Newspaper Awards. You can contact Ben at ben.tomsett@nzme.co.nz.
‘Clearly preventable’: Company, director sentenced over timber yard death
Fines and reparations of $450,000 have been ordered after the death of 23yo Ethyn McTier.
'David and Goliath': Australian gold mine company makes $25m Central Otago land deal
Santana Minerals announced last week a binding agreement to purchase Ardour Station.
‘Tragic’ death of 10yo tourist witnessed by family leads to sweeping DOC safety upgrades
Tegan Chen tragically died during a family holiday to New Zealand in January last year.
Tradie's remarkable revival of long-lost NZ clothing brand from his backyard shed
Nikolai Solakof had never sewn before reviving Oscar Eide from his shed.
North Island detectives appointed to take fresh look at Gore toddler Lachie Jones' death
A coroner has slammed the previous two investigations, and directed a third to take place.
'He’s dealing with so much': Family of brave Connor, 8, cherishing final moments
Connor Coster's fight with cancer began before he even started school.
'Hysterics': Pet dog Shiva swept into drains during flooding found safe 24 hours later
The pet dog was sucked into the drainage system during the weekend's heavy rain event.
Four level boutique hotel and wine bar planned for prime Queenstown location
The hotel will replace a character building that has been on the sight since the 1960s.
Body found in Auckland river after failing to return from dinghy trip
The alarm was raised when the man failed to return on a trip to shore from a moored boat.
'Uber in the sky': Can competing gondolas fix Queenstown's traffic woes?
Two $200m-plus aerial transit proposals are promising a unique fix.
Evacuations under way as South Island lashed by heavy rain and flood threats
A state of emergency has been declared in Nelson and Tasman as rain batters the region.
'Mumma bear' of six mourned after fatal ATV farm accident
The all-terrain vehicle rolled on farmland near Millers Flat on Thursday.
Top secret prototype sports car being tested in NZ crashes near Queenstown
Staff in AMG-branded gear worked to conceal the damaged car at the scene.
Aoraki/Mt Cook alpine rescue team suspended for winter after staff departures
Police will co-ordinate rescue operations via other SAR teams and helicopter providers.
'Shambles': Coroner slams police probe, calls for fresh inquiry into Gore 3yo’s death
The coroner blasted police for their initial investigation into Lachie Jones' death.
Lachie Jones: Coroner to deliver findings six years on from toddler's death
The coroner's findings are to be released in Invercargill today.
'Views, location': Section overlooking Lake Wanaka sells for $3.5m
The agent behind the sale says the result reflects a growing trend.
Police allege mum used meth before crash causing 7yo son's death
O'Siah Prasad was described as a bright, loving, and adventurous little boy.
BB guns, assaults, and abuse: Bus hub’s security struggles one year after teen’s death
Despite extra security, fear and uncertainty remains.
On The Up: 'Boys don’t really talk about it' - Scarfies run marathon to raise mental health awareness
The group of 50 Otago students are out to destigmatise mental health.
Dunedin school recovers $365K in misappropriated funds
The school pursued the matter through a civil employment route, and won't seek charges.
'Cat-shaped hole': Call to include feral cats in predator strategy
Some groups warned of the need to draw a clear line between feral and domestic cats.
Popular Dunedin Irish pub risks losing alcohol licence over padlocked fire exits
Two of three fire escapes were found to be locked shut during a visit by inspectors.
Public and private South Island inland ports battle for billion-dollar logistics business
Two major inland ports are set to game-change the South Island's freighting challenges.
Lachie Jones inquest: Coroner delays release of findings
Coroner Ho said the delay was related to police announcing further investigative work.
Rare moth discovery could derail gold mine plans
The endemic and threatened moth species is only found in parts of Otago.
Gore police follow 'positive leads' in suspicious Waikaia house fire
Police have appealed to the public for more information.
Families win transtasman holidays as Dunedin welcomes back international flights
Transtasman flights have returned to Dunedin after a five-year absence.
'Glorious views': Bare lakefront section sells for $6.8m
The land had been in the vendor's family for nearly 80 years.
Peters and Jones reopen $127m railway workshops amid protests and political jabs
The rebuild marks a major boost for local jobs and NZ's rail industry.
Watch: Thieves ram-raid Temuka service station with stolen vehicle
The vehicle was later located abandoned, police say.
On The Up: Fans rally to help Kiwi death metal band hit by theft on European tour
Thousands of euros in gear and cash were stolen from their tour van while the band slept.
Watch: Idling ambulance stolen, taken for brazen 20-minute joyride
Dashcam footage shows theft of ambulance awaiting patient transfer.
Police refer case of fishing boat death to coroner
Police say the death is not suspicious.
Search for missing British hiker Eli Sweeting resumes in Milford Sound
The search was temporarily halted on Thursday due to bad weather.
Rice to the occasion: How a Queenstown brewery snagged gold at Tokyo Sake Challenge
Zenkuro was one of two non-Japanese breweries to be recognised at the challenge.
Fire at Dunedin homeless camp injures one, destroys shelter at Kensington Oval
A fire broke out at a Dunedin homeless encampment this morning.
'We just want him home safe': Light spotted on route where hiker went missing; family speaks
A family member says the search is concentrated on the area the light was spotted.
Missing hiker: Family of British man to join search in Fiordland
Eli Sweeting was reported missing late on Sunday.
'Daddy's girl': Te Anau character crushed in fatal workplace accident
Lynda Kelly, 63, has been remembered for her care and compassion.
Search for missing hiker in Milford Sound
The man failed to return home yesterday evening, police say.
'Favourite place on Earth': Hollywood star Jason Momoa makes moves in Queenstown
Aquaman actor has bought into a bar and is reportedly looking for a house.
Kiwi influencer dies at 21 after documenting cancer battle
'My life may be short, but I genuinely think I’ve squeezed every bit out of it.'
'Don’t make the mistake I made': Uninsured family lose everything to fire
Chirag Shah says he didn't realise insurance payments had lapsed until after the blaze.
Auckland Civil Defence Centre closed, 27 people displaced today
The thunderstorms were expected to be accompanied by 'torrential rain'.
Lachie Jones: Coroner to deliver findings into Gore toddler's death
Coroner Alexander Ho has completed his provisional findings.
Dunedin hospital: Construction on inpatient building to resume mid-year
Simeon Brown announced the update as part of a nationwide infrastructure plan.
On The Up: How a pub in a remote town at the bottom of the country became NZ’s best
Te Anau's Fat Duck Gastropub – a quacking good pub.
Is Ashburton's water supply a health risk to babies? Council denies Greenpeace claims
Greenpeace tests have shown high nitrate levels in Ashburton's drinking water.
On The Up: Rural doctor shortage - how one medical programme is solving the crisis
West Coast GP plays key role in University of Otago's Rural Medical Immersion Programme.
Watch: Tension with Peters over trade messaging a 'media beat up' says PM
Peters has criticised use of the term 'trade war', which the PM has consistently embraced.
'It’s not for everyone': Life on the world’s steepest street
Herald journalist Ben Tomsett visited the residents of Baldwin St, Dunedin, to find out.
High-profile Dunedin man facing multiple sex charges keeps name secret for now
The man will reappear in court next month.
‘A delightful person’: Community mourns loss of prominent businessman after plane crash
Ivan van de Water was a respected member of the Gore community.
Why there’s no public transport between two of NZ’s top tourist towns - yet
ORC says no plans for a Queenstown-Wānaka bus.
One-armed golfer sinks second hole-in-one
Erasmus Theron lost his right arm during pilot training when he was 19 years old.
‘Wow, that’s a moose’: US tramper claims rare sighting, DoC workers have doubts
The department pours cold water on the claim, saying it was probably a red deer.
Couch fires, booze, and burned wallaby: Police investigating student celebrations
Many of Dunedin's students began celebrations before 6am.
Dunedin bus hub stabbing: 14-year-old guilty of manslaughter
The jury took more than two days to come to its verdict.
Self-defence or murder? Jury to decide 14-year-old alleged killer’s fate
'It was a David and Goliath situation,' defence argues.
Prominent Dunedin man pleads not guilty to sex charges
The man has been granted interim name suppression.
Teen adopted ‘gangster ways’ in lead-up to fatal stabbing at Dunedin bus hub, court hears
A forensic psychiatrist said the teenager adopted the mannerisms as a form of protection.
‘I feel horrible with myself’: 14yo recalls horror at realising he had stabbed older boy
The young defendant told the court he only intended to scare the older boy, not harm him.
‘I wanted others to see me as tough’: 14yo accused of Dunedin bus hub murder addresses court
The defendant told the court he began carrying a knife for protection from bullies.
Lake Hāwea homicide: Trial date set for husband accused of killing wife
Police launched a homicide investigation in November.
Complaints over student’s clothing halts bus safety campaign
The local council said it did not take a position on any political issue.
Watch: Beachgoers attempt rescue of mako shark at Christchurch’s Sumner Beach
The shark washed ashore at Sumner Beach on Thursday night, prompting a police call out.
NZ music icon Martin Phillipps honoured in museum display
The acclaimed New Zealand songwriter died age 61 last year.
‘I saw a stab wound’: Teen bystander tried to stop fatal Dunedin bus hub fight
The teenage witness held his hoodie to the other boy's stab wound.
‘A scared child’: 13yo fatally stabbed teen at bus hub after being told to pull down his socks
Enere McLaren-Taana was fatally stabbed at Dunedin's bus hub last year.
‘Can we afford this?’: Patients shocked by $1000 after-hours medical fees
Fees as high as $1000 have been quoted for after-hours appointments.
Four people hospitalised after chemical incident on ship at Lyttelton Port
Emergency services are at the scene treating the men.
Otago Uni students evacuated after construction site gas smell causes emergency callout
Emergency crews are working to determine the source of the smell.
'Absolutely devastated': Queenstown burger joint fires employee after racial slur receipt
Staff members would also undergo cultural sensitivity training.
‘Unacceptable’: Popular burger joint apologises after racial slur on customer receipt
Fergburger says an internal investigation has been launched.
One of NZ’s largest solar farms on hold after tiny village fights back
The farm would house 560,000 solar panels with the capacity to power 70,000 homes.
Armed stand-off over: Man found dead
It's understood the man was wanted over a series of firearms offences.
'One-of-one' signed Jonah Lomu card hits US auction, owned by Kiwi collector since 1996
The card was brought in 1996, and signed by Lomu two weeks before his 2015 death.
Man spotted luring, beating then capturing swan at Auckland's Western Springs
The penalty for killing protected species is up to two years' jail or a fine up to $100k.
New Dunedin hospital going on old Cadbury factory site; costs ‘under control’
The Health Minister admits the site brings with it construction challenges.