Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking news.
Benjamin joined the NZ Herald in 2022 after completing a Bachelor of Communications degree, majoring in Journalism at Auckland University of Technology. You can contact Ben at benjamin.plummer@nzme.co.nz.

Three club rugby players suspended, assault charge laid for coward punch
The victim suffered a seizure on the field after he was allegedly hit in the jaw.

'Wrecking ball': Ex-All Blacks midfielder signs with Moana Pasifika
It comes as the Auckland-based side announced the mass departure of 15 players.

Mental Health Minister condemns backyard 'run it straight' event
The organiser of the underground event claimed it would raise awareness for mental health.

'Run it straight' event held in backyard after stadium blocks Auckland organisers
Group said the event was raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.

Watch: 'Disgraceful' – Ex-Wallaby blasts Kiwi ref after Crusaders star's knock-on missed
The mistaken call in the game's dying minutes resulted in the Crusaders stealing the win.

Auckland Museum to lose more than $450k in revenue from asbestos closure
The museum estimated it was losing an average of $19,000 a day.

Police probe 'aggravated assault' after club rugby player elbowed, punched in head
The victim appeared to suffer a seizure on the field after he was assaulted.

‘A dumb thing to do’: Luxon blasts ‘run it straight’ as Govt seeks advice on action
It comes after a Palmerston North teenager died after participating in a copycat event.

'Overwhelming concern': 'Run it straight' final blocked from Auckland stadium
'This activity presented safety considerations that we could not overlook.'

'Tragic news': RUNIT responds to teen's death in private 'run it straight' tackle game
The man suffered a serious head injury when tackled and later died in hospital.

Golfing prodigy among teens picked to represent NZ at junior world cup
The tournament has produced some of the world's most prestigious golfers.

Crusaders win southern derby after overtime penalty miss from Highlanders
The Crusaders have shot to the top of the Super Rugby ladder.

'It means heaps': Winner of 'run it straight' event says prize 'gives us a head start’
The rugby league semi-professional says the new collision sport has a 'massive future'.

Opinion: Runit League a difficult watch as two competitors knocked out cold
Eight athletes ran full tilt at each other in a game like bullrush on steroids.

'Deeply distressing': Pupil airlifted to hospital with critical injuries
The Ministry of Education's traumatic incident team is actively supporting the school.

'Run it straight' explained: The combat sport condemned by top doctors that's hit NZ
'Victory belongs to the one who dominates the collision.'

Capewell to captain Warriors as Fisher-Harris banned, Barnett on NSW duty
The overlooked Queensland forward will lead the Warriors for the first time on Sunday.

Ex-rugby league star heads controversial new 'run it straight' comp ahead of Auckland arrival
At least two competitors were knocked unconscious during the inaugural event in Melbourne.

Warriors hold off late comeback from Dolphins for nail-biting win
The Warriors have survived a late second half comeback for a fifth consecutive win.

'Severe body blow': Historic Auckland rugby club ousted from senior comps after bylaw breach
'This is probably the most serious crisis that the club has been through in its history.'

Young boy told he can't play rugby with friends due to his weight
The young boy is now hesitant to go to school out of fear of what his friends will say.

Blues back into playoff spots after bonus-point win in Suva
Vern Cotter's men are back into the top six on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.

Highlanders rugby gear worth $38k stolen in Auckland from parked car, man arrested
Stolen items included laptops, tablets and 'specialised rugby equipment'.

Injury-hit Warriors welcome back star winger to face Dragons
The Warriors have been hit with a string of injuries after a thrilling Magic Round win.

Moana Pasifika beat Highlanders in Dunedin thriller to keep playoff berth alive
Moana edged the Highlanders 34-29 in a nine-try heartbreaker for the hosts.

Sullivan scores four as Hurricanes topple Chiefs in big win
All the action as the Hurricanes host the Chiefs in Wellington.

Māori All Black, Blues youngster rediagnosed with rare form of cancer
'In March this year, I got the news nobody wants to hear, that my sarcoma is back.'

Indian Panthers suspension: Companies allegedly owed thousands of dollars
One company claims it has an unpaid $20,000 bill for supporter T-shirts.

Indian Panthers suspended for remainder of NBL season amid pay allegations
It comes after a turbulent tenure off the court since announcing they would join the NBL.

'Tough calls': Star Black Fern omitted from first squad of the year
Three experienced Black Ferns have been left out of the Pacific Four Series squad.

'Significant risk': NZR and former ABs star on dangers of new collision sport
Former rugby star emphasises need for safety measures to avoid head trauma.

'Dumbest game ever': Man knocked unconscious in new 'combat sport' coming to NZ
The activity, touted as a new combat sport, is set to come to New Zealand next month.

Chiefs put Highlanders to sword after dominant second half
The Chiefs have run rampant in Hamilton, scoring five unanswered second-half tries.

NRL or All Blacks? Manu shaky on French future, leaves both codes on alert – report
Manu has previously outlined his interest in wanting to represent the All Blacks.

Masters 2025: All you need to know ahead of tee-off
The 89th edition of the Masters is set to tee off tonight.

Pair’s desperate bid to pull unresponsive paddler to safety
'It looked like a bag floating at first, but then I knew it wasn’t a bag,' a rescuer said.

Victim of Manurewa stabbing mourned by family
It's understood the incident occurred during a party at a social housing complex.

Director of Mental Health probes mistaken identity after 11yo restrained, injected
The young girl was handcuffed, restrained and injected with antipsychotic medication.

'Significant failings': Health NZ apologises after 11yo injected twice in mistaken identity case
'This particular case cannot happen again,' said a health boss.

'Wonderful human beings': Tribute to British couple found dead in Wellington home
The owner said they were 'incredible parents, friends, and members of many communities'.

'I want the ball': Metcalf stands tallest when Warriors need a hero
The 26-year-old halfback had the final say in Sunday's win in Campbelltown.

Black Caps star out of Pakistan ODIs in latest hit to batting unit
It is the latest hit to the Black Caps' batting unit.

'Could be similar': How a photo mix-up led to 11yo girl's injections with antipsychotic
A carer for a 21-year-old saw the photo and mistook her for their patient.

Warriors lose star player for up to eight weeks as side hunt third consecutive win
The superstar winger is set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

PM slates failure to inform ministers of 11yo misidentified by police, handcuffed, and drugged
One minister described the incident as 'every parent's worst nightmare'.

‘He’s still struggling’: Filipino man badly injured in crash not told best mate dead
'I’ve just been telling him that he’s in another room at the hospital.'

11yo misidentified, handcuffed, given antipsychotics at mental health clinic
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey slammed the mistaken identity incident as unacceptable.

Two arrested after report of gunshots closes major Auckland highway
Witnesses reported seeing 'about 20 police cars' and armed officers on the rural road.

Air New Zealand 'closely monitoring' major English airport closure after fire
Blaze at an electrical substation causes havoc at one of Europe's busiest airports.

Body found in search for missing 79yo man
The man was reported missing after his car was found on February 21.

Three security guards at Akl supermarket arrested after alleged extortion attempts
The first report was made to police in late January.

School lunch provider in liquidation owes over $14.3m
Libelle Group went into liquidation last week, leaving more than 500 jobs in limbo.

Second Auckland funeral director charged with one count of interfering with human remains
The police investigation centres on bodies at Waikumete Cemetery mausoleum.

‘Really good man’: Filipino father identified as innocent crash victim
The victim's flatmate describes how he spoke to him only a few hours earlier.

Warriors assistant coach faces three-game ban after Vegas throat grab
Agar and the Warriors have five business days to respond to the breach notice.

Driver, 22, charged after fatal Auckland crash during alleged police pursuit
A man was killed after the car crashed into him on a busy city street.

‘United in our commitment’: Saviour found for school lunches after Libelle Group liquidation
The Herald is aware of at least seven schools that closed their tuckshops today.

'No prior notice': School tuckshops close across NZ amid lunch provider's liquidation
The Herald is aware of at least seven schools that have closed their tuckshops from today.

Pair taken into police custody over email threat to Auckland schools, charge laid
Police said further charges are likely to be laid as a result of a search warrant.

Police target remote settlement only accessible by boat in hunt for fugitive dad Tom Phillips
Police said they will be active in the wider Marokopa area over the coming days.

Four arrested over Destiny Church-linked protest at Auckland children's event
Police said there were further arrests to be made.

‘They came from nowhere’: Man attacked in ‘violent’ Auckland robbery days after moving to NZ
The man was punched in the face and chased with a baseball bat in the late-night attack.

Man, 52, arrested after six electric vehicles vandalised with spray paint in Auckland
Some vandalised vehicles were towed after spray paint damage left them undriveable.

‘Absolutely gutted’: Electric vehicles targeted with spray paint in Auckland
The incidents come after Molotov cocktails were allegedly thrown at a US Tesla dealership.

Experts reveal why Goff’s comments cost him UK diplomatic role
A foreign relations expert says Goff overstepped in his comment although he was "right".

‘Last longer’: Fears Cyclone Alfred’s delayed arrival could worsen impact
'We’ve done everything we can, so now we’re just having to wait.'

Man who led police on chaotic 28km chase given bail, then allegedly sexually assaulted
The man was on bail after a chaotic 28km chase through Auckland.

Watch: Man confronts armed police with metal pole in Ōrere Pt, tasered before death
Police confirmed the weapon the man had was a metal pole, not a samurai sword.

'Unforgivable': Students consume melted plastic after school lunches overheat in oven mishap
David Seymour had called this incident 'unacceptable' as a review is under way.

Police call for new information to solve violent home-invasion killing
Brett Fraser, 51, died from blunt force trauma to the head during the attack in Kelston.

Outrage as university says AI tutors will run lectures in course
Three AI programs are set to replace lecture slides in a university course this semester.

'Now worse than ever': Locals outraged as new Bombay traffic lights cause long queues
NZTA says queues will improve as the software adapts and motorists adjust.

Top businessman pulled face-down from surf ahead of TV appearance
Rescuers performed CPR and used a defibrillator before the man was airlifted to hospital.

Health NZ apologises for sharing social media post depicting sex act
'I apologise to anyone who was upset by that.'

Restrictions in place after Oriental fruit fly discovered on North Shore
Legal restrictions are in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area.

How fresh sighting of Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips and kids fits into timeline
Tom Phillips has been credibly sighted only a handful of times since disappearing in 2021.

Police detain Du Val founder outside Remuera home after run-in with photographer
Images have emerged of Clarke being escorted away in handcuffs.

Police warn against vigilantism after alleged child-snatcher outed on social media
It comes after reports of a man allegedly trying to pull kids into a car in West Auckland.