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.
Lachie Jones inquest: Detective would have done things differently
David Kennelly said 'In hindsight, we should have locked the scene down'.
'These animals need to die': Controversial cat hunting contest returns
Nationwide, it is estimated feral cats kill up to 100 million birds each year.
Man hit by car in Dunedin's Octagon may have been lying on road
Police are investigating the incident.
Arrests made after up to $30,000 of items stolen from tourist bus
Three people were arrested just 40 minutes after theft reported; items have been returned.
Lachie Jones inquest: Brother calls accusation he helped dispose of body 'disgusting'
His mother and younger brother also gave evidence earlier in the inquest.
Neighbour of Lachie Jones says she heard toddler in her laundry on night of disappearance
Neighbour reveals she looked at the gate to the oxidation ponds but did not go over it.
Half-brother of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones denies involvement in his death
The half-brother of Lachlan Jones gave evidence on day three of the inquest.
'I wish I was with my wee boy': Mother of Gore toddler Lachie Jones breaks silence
The court heard of the toddler's last moments before he disappeared from his family home.
'Unimaginable': Inquest into death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones begins
Today is the first of 15 days in the inquest.
What happened to Gore toddler Lachlan Jones?
Inquest into the death of Lachlan Jones begins today.
'I'm a Muslim, ask me anything' campaign sparks conversations across South Island
The group’s primary objective was to promote the message of peace.
Reclusive photographer's body went undiscovered for months
Police say case remains unexplained one week on.
The glitz and the glamour of Dunedin’s Hyde St party
Unofficial festivities kicked off slightly earlier than 10am for some.
Truck leaves trail of destruction in Dunedin's Octagon
The driver of the truck sustained moderate injuries, no one else was injured.
Queenstown construction blunder costs $100,000 to repair newly paved street
Buses scraping against a newly-paved section of Duke St alerted authorities to the issue
Dunedin house raided in 2009 hostage drama now scene of mystery death
Neighbours say they haven't seen anyone at the property for six months.
Police investigating unexplained death in Dunedin
Initial indications suggest the deceased may have been at the scene for some time.
Topp Twins cafe closes its doors for the last time
The popular entertainers are moving on to 'new adventures'.
Dunedin woman's alleged police scanner hijinks leads to arrest
The 48-year-old woman was partying with friends.
NZ stabbing survivor sends condolences to Sydney mall victims
Dallas Wilson was stabbed four times while working at a Dunedin Countdown in 2021.
Cosmetic giant Mecca coming to Dunedin as city upgrade continues apace
The store is planned to open on Dunedin's George St in the second half of this year.
Communities on standby with heavier rain to come; North Island in for a pummelling
The North Island will get the worst of the weather tomorrow and into Friday.
West Coast residents without power as rivers rise, fresh warnings for North Island
There are rain and wind alerts for Tasman, Taranaki and Wellington.
Deluge hits - parts of NZ to be doused with 62 hours of rain
Orange weather warnings have the potential to be upgraded to Red.
Total solar eclipse: Dunedin, Queenstown best spots to observe rare event in 2028
The eclipse’s path of totality is a narrow area but southern New Zealand is included.
Invercargill mayor calls public meeting over 'inappropriate' youth crime
Some youngsters feel "bulletproof", mayor says.
Supermarket rats: Two caught at store in five weeks since reopening
The store reopened on February 28 after weeks of closures due to an infestation.
Queenstown woes: Four eateries close in quick succession amid CBD rebuild
The adventure capital continues to bounce back from the Covid-19 global pandemic.
Two cars of drink-driving teens botch their attempts to flee Police
One of the two vehicles wound up crashed on its side, trapping an occupant.
Naked man, 79, arrested for indecent act at Dunedin beach
Police found the man "still naked" in a bushy area above the beach.
Authorities won't say what penalties supermarkets will face for breaching Easter trading laws
The supermarkets involved will not disclose their earnings over the weekend.
Sounds to Town: Dunedin ultra-marathon runner to tackle 617km non-stop over five days
Glen Sutton will undertake the colossal challenge for charity
World’s most detailed study of human health and development enters next stage
The Dunedin Study is the most detailed study of human health and development in the world.
Central Otago bunny hunt called off for another year due to fire risks
Following the last three cancellations of the annual event, its future is up in the air.
Waitaki serious crash: Emergency services rushing to scene
Initial reports indicated that there are serious injuries.
Watch: Search on for NZ's 10th meteorite after crash landing in remote SI site
A search party has embarked on a hunt for a fresh meteorite after a fiery explosion.
Potty-mouthed non-students dominate Paddy's Day arrests
Of the seven people arrested for antics on St Patrick's day, only one was a student.
Fire fought at Cornwallis, Auckland
Cornwallis is south of the Waitākere Ranges, Auckland.
Weather: Coldest morning of the year heralds week of chilly nights
The sun has shone for St Patrick's Day festivities, but cool nights lie ahead.
Partying on MDMA and ketamine: Inside NZ's student drugs scene
As alcohol consumption drops, the use of drugs is on the rise.
Flat initiations, live eel, burglaries, couch fires: Otago Uni proctor calls for culture change
There were 47 students referred for serious misconduct matters.
Four Otago Uni students excluded, dozens punished over 'concerning' hazing rituals
Host flats' attempts to outdo what occurred the previous year are being blamed.
“Föhn wind” sees temperatures in Timaru soar to 27C at 6am
The event was due to a “Fohn wind," says MetService.
Person dies following water incident at Omaha Beach
Attempts to resuscitate the person were unsuccessful, police say.
Person hospitalised following assault in Manurewa
One person has been transported to Middlemore Hospital.
Pink concert 'carnage': More buses scheduled as AT admits track issues led to delays
Fans left fuming at struggles to get home after the first of Pink's Eden Park concerts.
Dunedin eatery's liquor licence bid challenged over links to previous troubles
Links to a since-closed establishment are causing headaches for management.
Armed Offenders Squad callout at Christchurch motel
Armed police are currently attending an incident in Christchurch.
Lightning reflexes by photographer captures spectacular strike over sea
Photographer Paul Le Comte captured the images during dramatic storm.
Motatapu marathon competitor airlifted to hospital following medical event in Arrowtown
The Allpress Espresso Trail Marathon, which ends in Arrowtown, is taking place today.
'A lost opportunity': Just one major live act booked in 18 months at covered stadium
Pink's performance next week will be the final major act for over a year.
Tarras airport: Plans put on hold
Christchurch Airport bought 750ha of farmland in Tarras in 2020.
Countdown store plagued by rats reopens, shoppers return to free chocolates
Customers return after 18 days of closures due to rat infestation.
'Concerns': Alcohol companies give uni students free booze in exchange for social media shout-outs
One company allegedly provided a student party with over 100 litres of free alcohol.
Toga party marks the start of student life at the University of Otago
The party is the first major event on the student calendar in Dunedin.
Private drone flown near Port Hills fire grounds helicopters for up to an hour
The private drone presented a safety risk to firefighting crews.
Drones identify hotspots in Port Hills fires ahead of forecast winds
86 firefighters and other personnel are working on the fire today.
'Crisis contagion': Expert weighs in on supermarkets rats and mice problems
Crisis management expert says industry is at risk of 'crisis contagion'.
'No one’s forgotten about him': Playground built in honour of young child who died suddenly
Zeke King passed away at just 14 months old from Sudden Unexplained Death in Children.
Oh, rats: Dunedin supermarket closed for fourth day as pest control continues
Around 21 rats had been caught in the store over the past week.
One dead in single-vehicle crash on Bluff Highway, Southland
A section of Bluff Highway remains closed as a scene examination takes place.
'Horror movie': Irish farm worker who lost arm in NZ accident wins $6m court battle
But Kiwi farm boss says he will review Irish judgment; claims worker accepted fault.
Boy, 9, caught driving with two adults and baby as passengers
The incident has been reported to Oranga Tamariki.
Google Maps leads travellers to cow sheds
Confused navigators looking for a lake end up at dairy sheds.
Man arrested after police alerted to crash by iPhone feature
The autonomous crash detection feature was introduced with the iPhone 14.
Dunedin homicide: Man appears in court charged with murder; keeps name secret
Man charged with murder of Gurjit Singh remanded in custody.
Gurjit Singh killing: 33-year-old man charged with murder, to appear in court
Gurjit Singh's body was found outside his Dunedin home with multiple stab wounds.
Police pursue 'persons of interest' after Dunedin man's violent death
Investigators are scouring a Dunedin neighbourhood to try to solve the brutal killing.
Dunedin death of Gurjit Singh confirmed as homicide, died from multiple stab wounds
Police have confirmed Gurjit Singh died as a result of multiple stab wounds.
Large team of investigators deployed in Dunedin mystery death probe
A significant probe has been launched into the mysterious death of Gurjit Singh.
Wanted man attempts to avoid arrest by providing name of another wanted man
The deception was discovered by police following the man's arrest.
Dunedin mystery death: Concerned wife phoned friend from India after calls went unanswered
A friend went to check on Gurjit Singh and found him dead in pool of blood.
Man found dead in Dunedin suburb was recently married, had concerns about home security
Police officers are treating the Dunedin man's death as 'unexplained'.
Person found dead in Dunedin suburb as police seek public's help
Officers currently treating the death as 'unexplained'.
Knife pulled on man protesting abduction of seagull
Police located the occupants of the vehicle and recovered the knife involved.
From food truck to franchise, RE Burger's exponential growth
RE Burger began as a food truck in Dunedin in 2016.