Reporter, NZ Herald
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
!['Our hearts are breaking'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Our hearts are breaking'
'We are stronger than this evil criminal act." That was the message delivered to shocked Victorians after a rampage that left four people dead in Melbourne.
![Bomb low: Severe gales expected today](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Bomb low: Severe gales expected today
The summer "bomb low" is expected to continue to bring wild weather to the country today.
!['Bomb low' - Rain, thunder, wind](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Bomb low' - Rain, thunder, wind
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are hitting the West Coast in the latest wild weather to hit the country.
![The travellers stopped by border control](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
The travellers stopped by border control
A new report has revealed some of the bizarre reasons travellers have given for visiting New Zealand that didn't fly with border control.
![Troubling teen suicide rate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Troubling teen suicide rate
The suicide rate among young Kiwi men aged 20 to 24 in recent years was double the rate of Australian men of the same age group, a study has found.
!['Once rudder broke, wind blew us to Oz'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Once rudder broke, wind blew us to Oz'
Kiwi yachtie Alan Langdon says Australia was the "best target" after a broken rudder sent his catamaran off course.
![Sailor's family: 'We are very worried'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Sailor's family: 'We are very worried'
Alan Langdon, 49, and his daughter, Que, 6, haven't been seen or heard from since they sailed from Kawhia Harbour 11 days ago.
![Lost in the mail: NZ Post's $2m bill](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Lost in the mail: NZ Post's $2m bill
NZ Post pays out hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash compensation each year to customers whose mail goes missing.
![Woman 'disgusted' by Christchurch tattoo job](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Woman 'disgusted' by Christchurch tattoo job
A $400 Cinderella and Snow White tattoo which left the recipient "utterly disgusted and embarrassed" was only partially done, according to the tattoo store.
![Kiwi mum pins hopes on in-utero surgery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Kiwi mum pins hopes on in-utero surgery
A pregnant Auckland woman is set to become the first Kiwi to have in-utero surgery to reduce the severity of spina bifida in her child.
![Drug cheat rider Lance Armstrong in NZ](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Drug cheat rider Lance Armstrong in NZ
Lance Armstrong has arrived in New Zealand, touching down in Auckland early this morning.
![Mum: 'She didn't deserve to go like that'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Mum: 'She didn't deserve to go like that'
The devastated mother of Lois Tolley who was murdered in Upper Hutt says her daughter was a "very caring person who loved life".
!['Everything he did was done with passion'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Everything he did was done with passion'
Fisherman Fred Marsters who died in the Kaipara tragedy has been remembered for his passion, enthusiasm and love for life.
![Earlier Francie trip made 'scary' crossing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Earlier Francie trip made 'scary' crossing
The boat which is believed to have capsized near the treacherous Kaipara Harbour bar killing at least seven crossed the bar in "scary" conditions the day before.
![NZ sailor faces Pearl Harbour charges](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
NZ sailor faces Pearl Harbour charges
A junior naval sailor allegedly left a trail of blood, his wallet including Navy ID, and a Chicago Bulls hat when he broke into a US Navy house while stationed in Pearl Harbour.
![Trump attempts to call Key after quake](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Trump attempts to call Key after quake
Prime Minister John Key said several world leaders had contacted him about the earthquakes, including an attempt by US President-elect Donald Trump.
![Partner dead at 20, now pregnant](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Partner dead at 20, now pregnant
Ellie Otineru learned she was pregnant with her third child two weeks after her partner's sudden death.
![School charges for pre-schoolers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
School charges for pre-schoolers
An Auckland primary school is asking parents to fork out up to $100 for a transition-to-school programme for under 5s.
![Unique way to immortalise pets](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Unique way to immortalise pets
Auckland woman Andie Page is designing custom-made pet pillows for animal-loving Kiwis.
![Serious crash: Instructor may lose leg](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Serious crash: Instructor may lose leg
The Bay of Plenty woman has spent two decades advocating road safety.
![Siblings battle rare disorder together](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Siblings battle rare disorder together
Gendi, an Otago University student whose condition is more advanced than her brother's, is fundraising to go to America to see specialists.
![Vows and ows! NZ wedding-day injuries](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Vows and ows! NZ wedding-day injuries
Auckland wedding DJ Stephen Buckley said he occasionally saw people hurt themselves on the dance floor, fall off tables or crash into things.
![Fashionable cord ties soft on babies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Fashionable cord ties soft on babies
Kiwi parents are getting behind a growing trend - using colourful knitted or crochet umbilical cord ties instead of medical clamps.
![Teen's drink death: Parents forgiveness](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Teen's drink death: Parents forgiveness
The mother of a 17-year-old boy who died after drinking heavily says she has no resentment towards his older friend who supplied him alcohol.
![Kiwi stabbed: 'I almost bled to death'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Kiwi stabbed: 'I almost bled to death'
A former Rotorua man has spoken about surviving a random attack in Melbourne in which he was stabbed six times by his attacker.
![Rugby player Losi Filipo quits squad](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Rugby player Losi Filipo quits squad
The rugby star who was discharged without conviction for assaulting four people is "hugely apologetic".
![PM weighs in on rugby player case](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
PM weighs in on rugby player case
News of rugby player Losi Filipo being discharged without conviction for the assault of four people has left victims horrified.
![Crash victim 'an example to most parents'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Crash victim 'an example to most parents'
A victim of the horrific crash at Huntly and his Kiwi partner who survived the crash were "an example to most parents", their neighbour says.
![Top violinist mourned](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Top violinist mourned
A victim of the horrific crash at Huntly was First Violinist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
![New entrants struggling to speak](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
New entrants struggling to speak
EXCLUSIVE: Some children are starting school without the ability to speak in sentences, sparking a government investigation.
![Praise for family violence law revamp](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Praise for family violence law revamp
An overhaul of family violence law which includes flagging all offences on criminal records and making victim safety the priority has been applauded.
![Glitch leaves customers without cash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Glitch leaves customers without cash
MasterCard refuses to say how many people were affected by the error, which resulted in some customers being charged more than once for a single purchase.
![Why you should meditate before eating](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Why you should meditate before eating
Holland did a four-week introduction to mindful eating course run by Mindfulness Works.
!['My 12-year-old tried to end her life'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'My 12-year-old tried to end her life'
Kiwi mum said she had no idea how affected her daughter was by a classmate's taunts until it was almost too late.
!['We're all absolutely disheartened'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'We're all absolutely disheartened'
About $300 of firewood a Decile 2 Auckland school football team had planned to sell to pay for tournament fees has been stolen from the school's grounds.
![Watch: Eliza surprises kids at school](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Watch: Eliza surprises kids at school
NZH Focus: Pupil: "We measured how high she jumped - it was about three people, which must've been pretty scary to jump over."
![Partner's death not first loss for Czech](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Partner's death not first loss for Czech
The Czech tourist who watched her partner fall to his death on the Routeburn Track has been touched by tragedy in the mountains before.
![Sword-wielding man: so what happened?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Sword-wielding man: so what happened?
David Rankin's version of events that he and Don Brash were threatened differs from TVNZ's head of news.
![The man who cleans Auckland streets](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
The man who cleans Auckland streets
Auckland man Ishmael Musa has been acknowledged for spending more than a decade voluntarily cleaning the streets in his local community.
![Pistol Club fears closure after noise complaints](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Pistol Club fears closure after noise complaints
The Auckland Pistol Club fears it could face closure after a new neighbour made numerous noise complaints about the sound of firing weapons.
![Young Kiwis seek mental health help](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Young Kiwis seek mental health help
The Mental Health Foundation believes there is an "urgent need" to investigate why a significant number of young people aren't coping.
![Kiwi 'very genuine' and 'gracious'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Kiwi 'very genuine' and 'gracious'
WATCH: New Zealand distance runner Nikki Hamblin's show of sportsmanship at the Olympics overnight was of no surprise to those who know her.
![Recidivist sex offender jailed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Recidivist sex offender jailed
A recidivist sex offender has been jailed for six years for 10 counts of sexual conduct with a 15-year-old girl he met through Tinder.
![Teen's big dreams, tragic death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Teen's big dreams, tragic death
Rotorua teen Moana Matthews, 17, was an "amazing young girl" who had hoped to travel the world.
![Polar blast leaves winter coat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Polar blast leaves winter coat
New Zealand last night hunkered down for the big chill - with rugby fans battling sub-zero temperatures at the Super Rugby final.
![Weta's hair-raising task](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Weta's hair-raising task
Knotting human and yak hair with a tiny crochet needle through holes almost invisible to the naked eye might sound like an odd job description.
![Calls to escalate Chiefs investigation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Calls to escalate Chiefs investigation
The Chiefs have called upon NZ Rugby to escalate the investigation into the team's stripper scandal after allegations a second stripper was mistreated by players.
![When Hollywood came to town](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
When Hollywood came to town
Robert Redford says Tapanui taught him that New Zealand is a country with "a smile on its face".
![Autism learning tool thrills parents](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Autism learning tool thrills parents
Thanks to a learning technique, 10-year-old autistic Becky can communicate her understanding of multiple subjects aimed at her age level.
![Heartbroken parents: 'Who killed our girl'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Heartbroken parents: 'Who killed our girl'
Parents of a 14-year-old girl killed in a hit and run have spoken of their anguish that no one has been held accountable for their daughter's death.
!['I didn't think about my own safety'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'I didn't think about my own safety'
A Maori warden who risked his own safety to assist a man who was shot at an Auckland train station credits a first aid course he did the day before the incident.
![Poi E star reveals depression battle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Poi E star reveals depression battle
After his father's death in 2004, Poi E star Maaka Pohatu often felt down, struggled to sleep and overanalysed the smallest of interactions.
![Half-price puppies need loving homes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Half-price puppies need loving homes
Thinking about getting a new family pet? Auckland SPCA is offering 50 dogs and puppies for adoption at half their normal price for the next two weeks.
![Sam and Bill's amazing adventure](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Sam and Bill's amazing adventure
Sam Olley, 21, didn't hesitate when her "young-at-heart" grandfather invited her on the Southeast Asia trip he'd hoped to share with his late wife.
![The man who said NZ would disappear](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
The man who said NZ would disappear
Conspiracy theorist David Icke is visiting Auckland for a one-off show.
![Lotto millions remain unclaimed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Lotto millions remain unclaimed
Three Kiwis who are $13.3 million richer this morning have yet to come forward to claim their prize.
![Slow drivers cruising for tickets](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Slow drivers cruising for tickets
Heading out on a Sunday cruise? Beware: police are increasingly ticketing slow and inconsiderate drivers.
![Sky Tower's Iraqi lights 'show compassion'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Sky Tower's Iraqi lights 'show compassion'
Why Rania believed there should've been no excuses for the Sky Tower to be lit in the colours of the Iraqi flag to support the Baghdad bombing victims.
![Big Sleepout participants deal with night of extreme weather](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Big Sleepout participants deal with night of extreme weather
Participants in Lifewise's annual Big Sleepout, which raises awareness and money for homelessness, battled a night of extreme weather.
![Young mum had 'heart of gold'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Young mum had 'heart of gold'
The families of the four young people who died in a horror crash near Hamilton are beginning to pay tribute to their loved ones.
![Travellers hit hours before flight leaves](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Travellers hit hours before flight leaves
Two young Germans have had an unhappy end to their NZ travel after their backpacks were stolen just hours before they were due to leave the country.
![Drug find 'incredible' says gene carrier](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Drug find 'incredible' says gene carrier
For 27-year-old Tessa Hopson, finding out medication may prevent breast cancer was "incredible".
![Pack the umbrella for trip to work](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Pack the umbrella for trip to work
Take the umbrella to work today: most of the country is expecting rain.
![Chateau's fancy furnishings could be yours](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Chateau's fancy furnishings could be yours
One of the country's most prestigious properties is believed to have sold - and now its luxurious interiors are up for grabs.
![NZ Navy staff stood down over drug allegations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
NZ Navy staff stood down over drug allegations
Three Royal New Zealand Navy staff have been stood down after the alleged use of illegal substances while on deployment overseas.
!['Thank you for your honesty'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Thank you for your honesty'
When Samson Faulafo and his friends pointed out to a family they'd dropped a $10 note at Denny's, they didn't expect anything in return.
![Sold for a gobsmacking $1m+](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Sold for a gobsmacking $1m+
A brick and tile unit has sold for more than $1 million - a new benchmark, according to a realtor.
!['She wanted to live for her boys' - Dad](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'She wanted to live for her boys' - Dad
Jessica Trotter was pregnant with her second child when she received the bad news.
!['I was retching - I could see bare behinds'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'I was retching - I could see bare behinds'
Portaloos will be reinstated on the summit of Auckland's Mt Eden after two men were caught defecating in the bush within metres of the footpath.
![Parents oppose use of dead son's testes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Parents oppose use of dead son's testes
The parents of a New Zealand man who had his testes removed after he died last month will oppose any attempt by their son's fiancee to use his sperm.
![She tried to free friend from croc's grip](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
She tried to free friend from croc's grip
Cindy Waldron was snatched by predator while she went for late-night swim at remote Queensland beach.
![Icy wintry blast about to bring snow](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Icy wintry blast about to bring snow
The stormy weather which struck the bulk of the country yesterday should largely lift today but as the week progresses an icy blast will bring snow to both islands.
![North Island to get burst of heavy rain](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
North Island to get burst of heavy rain
More heavy rain is expected over the North Island tonight, after a day of wild weather across the country.
![Wendy Petrie takes up challenge for niece](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Wendy Petrie takes up challenge for niece
Sweating and panting in full firefighter get-up, One News host Wendy Petrie climbed the 1103 stairs of Sky Tower to support her niece who is battling leukaemia.
![Brave mum was one 'in a zillion'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Brave mum was one 'in a zillion'
An Air NZ hostess who went public about her courageous fight for international cancer treatment has been remembered as a devoted mother of three and beloved colleague.
![The mum who fought for more time](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
The mum who fought for more time
Air NZ hostess Amanda Ferreira made headlines last year when she went public with her cancer fight. She died this week, with her family saluting her bravery.
![Driver crashes after medical event](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Driver crashes after medical event
A driver who suffered a medical event this morning, crashed his car into a building.
![Heavy rain to return with a vengeance](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Heavy rain to return with a vengeance
MetService has a heavy rain warning in place for parts of central New Zealand from this evening to tomorrow morning.