David Fisher
Senior writer
David Fisher is a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald who has twice been named New Zealand’s Reporter of the Year.
David is based in Northland and has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years, winning multiple journalism awards and being selected as one of a small number of Wolfson Press Fellows to Wolfson College, Cambridge. He joined the Herald in 2004. You can contact David at david.fisher@nzme.co.nz
Check out David’s latest content
Trevor Mallard sued by child over use of ‘bad music’, sprinklers during protest
Police leaders advised former Speaker not to play music or use sprinklers on protesters.
Magic man: Meet the one psychiatrist approved to prescribe magic mushrooms
Minister David Seymour says no 'reefer madness' over psilocybin because it works.
Inside the facial recognition inquiry - and when it’s coming to a shop near you
Latest developments in supermarket facial recognition explained - and what happens next.
Fresh inquiries: Posh doggy daycare Pets and Pats' new base lacks resource consent
Fresh from court, Pets and Pats is facing new questions as neighbours let loose.
Posh doggy daycare owner faces sentencing after 'repeated breaches'
Day of reckoning for doggy daycare owner Angela Beer.
'Think twice about US travel': Woman's warning after being detained, questioned
Kiwi woman pulled aside - twice - at US airports and quizzed over her name.
Watch: Redundant on maternity leave - the One NZ manager taking the telco to court
IT manager claims sacking unlawful - One NZ says redundancy process was followed.
Defence Force quietly shelves SAS elite unit trained for terrorism response
NZSAS counter-terrorism team gone - as attrition bites into elite military regiment.
Du Val property developer Kenyon Clarke called to court over phone fracas
Car dealer John Murphy claims the phone he used to photograph Clarke was found in a pool.
King Kronic out of US jail, clear to return to NZ and $40m property empire
Matthew Wielenga was King Kronic when jailed in the US. Now he's out and bound for NZ.
Lawsuits, rigged votes and bad behaviour: RSA scrap ratchets up ahead of Anzac Day
Breakaway rebel group threatens as RSA row enters Anzac Day.
'Vigilante violence': 15-25% chance of attack on MP Benjamin Doyle - security report
A security report warns the Green MP faces increased stalking and violence risks
Lest we forget: Afghan war hero finally honoured with public memorial
Rory Malone died in 2012 and a memorial has finally been held for him in Riverhead today.
‘Extreme’ call from veterans’ group: Boycott Anzac Day until politicians listen
No Duff support NZSAS veteran Willie Apiata over who is called a veteran.
‘He grabbed me’: MP Shane Jones and wife in airport altercation with ‘angry’ man
Dot Jones says a member of the public grabbed her shoulder.
Winston Peters to deliver ‘roast’ at Cameron Slater’s blogging party
Defamation losses, awards and bankruptcy - 20 years of 'Whale Oil' blogging celebrated.
How blogger’s clue led to Golriz guard sacking after leak revealed
The detective leading the case spotted the clue that exposed the leaker, police say.
Anatomy of a scandal: Green MP Benjamin Doyle’s case explained
Winston Peters says police must step in. Here are the claims and where they came from.
‘We want her done too’: Supermarket security guard’s texts on Golriz Ghahraman
Police OIA reveals inside story on Golriz Ghahraman and the Pak'nSave shoplifting claim.
‘Inappropriate and offensive’: Auckland RSA president axed from national body
Auckland RSA president Graham Gibson axed from national body after three women complained.
Du Val owner may face private criminal case, accused of snatching phone
Car dealer John Murphy claims his phone, used to photograph developer, was tossed in pool.
‘He would have been so angry’: Partner and mum’s grief at losing NZSAS soldier
NZSAS soldier killed in training - the whanau inquiry raises questions over his death.
‘Soldier fell’: WorkSafe alleged Defence Force failure killed SAS elite soldier
‘Soldier fell’ - inside the NZSAS training fatality and the prosecution NZDF blocked.
Russian disinformation sites target NZ with te reo Māori content
'Pravda' sites in New Zealand are part of a global 'hybrid war' campaign.
Focus on ‘combat-readiness’: Military aviators’ requests to grow mullets rejected
Aviators were told a focus on mullets-for-charity could blunt their fighting edge.
Veterans' agency says it can’t build suicide database
Veterans' group – 'the cost of waiting is simply too high in terms of lives lost'.
Three veteran suicides in three weeks but no way to track how common it is
A veteran group plan to crowd-source suicide data to build database the Government didn't.
Fresh child abuse charges for disgraced NZ businessman Ron Brierley
Aged 87, Brierley appeared in the Waverley Local Court in Sydney this afternoon
Fallen soldier’s memorial to go ahead - call for country to remember veterans
Threatened red tape avalanche was big misunderstanding - Rory Malone memorial to go ahead.
Red tape ties up memorial for slain veteran
They shall grow not old and age shall not weary them – but no one escapes bureaucracy.
‘Sorry’: Foodstuffs admits staff leaked photo of ex-MP as new breach emerges
Guard sacked over leak as new case emerges of political privacy breach at the checkout.
Beer jug bashing case: Arrest made 19 months after assault in bar
Militini Vaotogo, 34, faces a maximum 14 years in prison if convicted of the 2023 attack.
Image leaked of Ghahraman during Pak’nSave shopping incident
Ex-MP says blogger's urging to put images on 4Chan is 'like trying to get me killed'.
Watch: The brutal bar attack police didn't investigate
Bashed but where's the justice? Police launch fresh investigation into jug attack in bar.
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‘I just gave them $10m’: Shane Jones threatens to stop funding for Waitangi National Trust
It came after David Seymour had his microphone taken off him twice during his speech.
Golriz Ghahraman and Auror: Inside NZ’s privately-owned retail surveillance network
Police can search vast retail database - is this how they found ex-MP's alleged incident?
‘I’m relieved’: Golriz Ghahraman speaks as she avoids charges over Pak’nSave ‘shoplifting’
The police decision on charging Golriz Ghahraman is out – and she's speaking.
‘Surveillance state’: Privacy Commissioner inquires into Golriz Ghahraman shopping incident
Police stay silent about how they learned of shoplifting claim against ex-MP.
Teen stranded in LAX after flight home from student exchange cancelled
Airline and exchange programme apologise, offer compo, after student stranded.
Ghahraman’s $150 shopping incident: Pak’nSave never complained so how did cops find out?
Police wanted Golriz Ghahraman's new alleged shoplifting claim in her High Court appeal.
They lost their land over $221 of unpaid rates – then the new owners gave it back
Documents show a historic pā was taken from Māori in the 1970s for 'European hands'.
'Particularly unfair': NZSAS soldier’s compo taxed higher because he was hurt offshore
Veterans left paying more tax if they were injured in disaster and war zones.
Teen navy cadet died unable to access Defence Force health experts
Inquiry released into the death of Navy cadet Sacha Piper in India.
Cheating husband’s ‘terrifying’ jail stretch after spurned lover faked assault claims
He ended a 15-month affair - and then his lover told police he threatened to kill her.
SH1 open to the North: Mangamuka Gorge ready for summer traffic
Mangamuka Gorge has opened again after years of closure after rain caused multiple slips.
RSA rebel group threatens to quit national body
'Slow death' solution to RSA woes threatens to split the veterans' body.
Reviews expose Army training, health & safety, shortfalls after soldiers killed and injured
Serious injuries and deaths in the Army exposed failings in new reviews.
Exclusive: How much a Thai cop was paid by Kiwi brothers after holiday assault
Court judgment says cop asked that brothers get light sentence after compensation payment.
‘The cop needs to be held accountable’: Mum of man killed by 'unjustified' police shooting
Whānau of man killed by police speak out on 'unjustified' fatal shooting.
Fatal shooting of unarmed Kaoss Price by police was not justified, says IPCA
His family have slammed advice to not lay charges over his unjustified fatal shooting.
'Deeply disappointed': Lady Hekia Parata slams Veterans' Affairs
Veterans' agency seeks new High Court ruling to overturn Sir Wira Gardiner claim
'It's been a wild ride': Rebecca Russell quits Auckland rugby league after reforms
Russell reveals the changes she's made since uncovering fraud and mismanagement at ARL.
Grieving dad’s plea to WorkSafe to investigate rugby links between head knocks, brain injuries
An autopsy of John Guyton's son Billy found brain damage linked to rugby concussions.
Granddad's tragic and 'unnecessary' death after driver's licence suspended
Questions over police alert to NZTA about 86-year-old driver.
'Similar to concussion': New brain injury warning to NZDF troops over explosives
Brain damage links to blast waves prompt a warning to military personnel.
Released: Megaupload programmers who cut a deal are out of prison after 13 months
Parole granted for programmers who went on to build world-class business.
Sports star's brain damage fix that NZ Rugby won’t allow to be made public
A letter from NZR tells a star ex-player he can't speak on any brain injury solutions.
‘She wasn’t real’: Mother’s anguish when son’s suicide followed catfished love affair
A mother's grief exposed – new catfishing brings back the horror of her son's death.
The Puppeteer — inside the fantasy world of a woman who has catfished for 23 years
'Facebook predator' Natalia Burgess is again creating false identities online.
‘I’ve given my heart and soul’: League stalwart stripped of life membership
Former ARL chairman Cameron McGregor says the game should dump new chief executive.
'Didn’t smell right’: Rugby league's financial probe, ‘The Duchess' and battle for control
A new chief executive was appointed - and what she found left her astonished.
Exclusive: Auckland league CEO blows whistle on $7.2m spend
Probe into finances prompts CEO to speak out as battle for control of sport looms.
New SAS documents: Military lifts lid on elite combat unit
New document details NZSAS role with stories of the missions it carries out.
Inside the space school collapse: Where millions and Kiwi parents' money went
Debt of $19m for Australian parent company; director shifted assets before collapse.
'Can’t believe how stupid I have been’: Kiwi Kronic king jailed for 51 months in US
The Auckland millionaire businessman sent to prison after telling judge of regrets.
NZ's ‘King of Kronic’ in US jail
Matthew Wielenga is accused of a conspiracy involving 170kg of a substance designed in NZ.
Police Commissioner responds to criticisms over investigations into Aussie Malcolm's alleged abuse
The Police Commissioner says there was insufficient evidence to charge after initial probe
Aussie Malcolm: Victim of alleged sex abuse urges police to keep investigating
The former Cabinet minister was accused of sexually abusing boys.
The extraordinary life of a Kiwi who was accused of killing his wife
Alex Lang, also known as Donald McPherson, also featured in a $35m bank swindle.
'Enough of the corruption': Kim Dotcom teases a return to politics
Facing extradition to the US, the entrepreneur promises 'direct democracy'.
NZSAS training in the spotlight as soldiers injured
One suffered frostbite, the other 'severe' lacerations to the face.
On the run: Champagne-and-oyster fugitive James Bryant accused of harassment
Maverick James Bryant is believed to have harassed his housemates.
Revealed: The 1992 police inquiry into prominent alleged paedophiles
Royal Commission's suspicions echo those raised in 1990s.
They lost their land over $221 of unpaid rates – then the new owners gave it back
Documents show a historic pā was taken from Māori in the 1970s for 'European hands'.
Kiwi brothers out of Thai prison, back in NZ after roadside struggle with cop
Hamish and Mattson Day express 'sincere gratitude' to everyone who helped get them home.
David Seymour’s special envoy in medicines is dumping his drug company investments
Act MP Todd Stephenson labels Labour slur as 'outrageous'.
Pharmac minister David Seymour met new Act MP’s former drug company employer
Todd Stephenson has links with two of the three companies Seymour met.
MP advising minister on Pharmac has investments in pharmaceutical companies
Act MP Todd Stephenson's long links with pharma industry - and plans to shake up Pharmac.
Military justice? Navy recruits caught with obscene sex, torture, violence images
US-based agency busts Navy recruits who had the worst kinds of obscene material.
'You are an elevated risk': How police tried to predict who could kill
Police developed project amid concern road toll not budging with conventional approaches.