James Pocock
Chief Reporter, Gisborne Herald
James Pocock is the chief reporter for the Gisborne Herald.
James always knew he wanted to be a journalist and went straight to university after finishing school. He graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Media Studies and Journalism in 2020 and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism in 2021. He returned to his home region to write for Hawke's Bay Today. During his time there, he covered breaking news and was on the ground through Cyclone Gabrielle. He also wrote features, with a focus on the environment, local government and post-cyclone issues in the region. In 2024 he moved to Tairāwhiti and became chief reporter for the Gisborne Herald. He has a passion for writing and hearing people's stories, from highlighting local success to battles with bureaucracy, authority, disaster and tragedy. You can contact James at james.pocock@nzme.co.nz.
Check out James’s latest content
Residents stop contractors' work on 15-metre cell tower in Gisborne
Residents are peacefully protesting a cell tower in their neighbourhood, blocking work.
SH2 Gisborne to Ōpōtiki closed for hours after slips
Slips closed the road for hours on Thursday after more than 100mm of rain fell in parts.
On The Up: Gizzy Kai Rescue and Tairāwhiti Environment Centre teaching food waste reduction
The initiative builds on the work that the organisation has done for nearly seven years.
Police investigating after Gisborne family cat reportedly shot dead
Ticker was found at his Valley Rd home with what looked like bullet entry and exit wounds.
‘Bringing everybody together’: Expert aims to put mirimiri on the world stage
'I have seen the impact it has made for our people and people of different cultures.'
Hikurangi Enterprises liquidation: Directors cite economic environment, limited resources
The business, founded in Ruatōria, cited limited resources and economic factors.
School lunch provider collapses owing $600k to IRD
Loss of contracts, Covid and cyclone blamed says the liquidators' report.
No plans yet for site of demolished 107-year-old Anglican church in Gisborne
The Church of the Resurrection reached the end of its life and was demolished in November.
'Ready to go': Community prepared for another Gabrielle
Flood preparedness has become part of the local school's curriculum.
Gisborne home could be uninsurable if not raised on stilts
Lizzy Burns has decided not to lift her property so her family can continue to live there.
'Special place in my heart': Labour MP moves to Gisborne
She plans to engage with locals, including meeting the Gisborne mayor.
'Significant investment': Sawmill reopening to create hundreds of jobs
Former key employees have been approached with job offers.
‘A servant of her people’: Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi farewelled
'Iritana had a very, very firm belief that we can be better.'
‘Waitangi for our Rangatahi’: Waitangi event in Gisborne for the youth
Waitangi is looking relatively quiet in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa and Tairāwhiti
Gisborne drowning rates fall, data shows major safety improvements
One death was Gisborne's official 2024 drowning tally, but the region was hit hard.
Thriving by driving and diving: Tairāwhiti youth getting the skills to succeed
Parents said the week-long programmes had been great for their children.
East Coast supporting Wairoa-based Pork Pie Charity team
Vaughan and Erin McNabb are on track to smash their charity target in their red Mini.
No marlin but plenty of yellowfin at Gisborne’s Bay Bonanza fishing competition
The winners were announced at the Tatapouri-Gisborne Fishing Club on Sunday.
Gisborne’s most stolen car still has fans
AMI insurance data shows Toyota Aqua is the most stolen in the country, Corolla is second.
The multi-million dollar mountain of wood removed from Gisborne waterways and beaches
330,301 cubic metres of wood was removed from beaches and river catchments in 2024.
Celebration of pilot Denis Hartley’s life later this month
Pilot was a significant force behind the Eastland rescue helicopter.
New model for Supergrans addressing causes of food scarcity and food insecurity.
There will be a limit on food parcels, with a new kai navigator and two financial mentors.
Tairāwhiti after-hours care tender delayed, ED faces daytime pressure
A process to direct people from ED to primary care during the day will start next month.
‘Keep pushing myself forward’: Gift of first car huge motivator for young woman
Aroha won the car after local charity SuperGrans applied on her behalf.
Ruatōria community offers cash and labour after kura hit with vandalism
Te Puna Reo o Raparapaririki was hit with extensive vandalism overnight on Monday.
Makaraka tavern owner grateful no one hurt after car crashes into building
The driver hit the side of the Roseland Tavern in Makaraka on December 29.
Bottles, bongs and condoms: R&V organisers pledge to keep a lid on litter this year
A local figure was concerned about litter in Gray's Bush as the festival approached.
Data reveals Tairāwhiti crash trends, police give safety warning for holiday drivers
NZ Transport Agency data reveals the worst places for crashes in Tairāwhiti 2014-24.
Decent weather to open festival but rain likely for New Year’s Eve
Many sites north of Gisborne were hit with 100mm of rain over a 24 hour period.
‘Champion for the Coast’: Bill Burdett remembered by friends, colleagues and whānau
The former councillor and East Coast Rugby Union life member died on Thursday.
'Steady sales': Gisborne retailers hopeful for Christmas boost
Large retail spending growth for Gisborne may not carry forward into Christmas.
'Absolutely unacceptable': Investigation after firearm threat against road worker
Police believe the firearm was an air rifle and are working to find the person involved.
Student-built house will home East Coast Kāinga Ora tenants
Over three years, students worked on building a home that will now be put to good use.
Drinks and dogs at hairdressers: Proposal to remove restrictions
MP wants to trim an absurd law with her member's bill.
Food sovereignty for all: TV host's mission for her community
Tui Keenan and Waikirikiri School are building food sovereignty for their community.
Trust Tairāwhiti seeking survey respondents to end ‘information gap’
Trust Tairāwhiti's data and information lead Malcolm Mersham speaks on past findings.
'Sweet', 'glamorous' or Harry Potter: The reasons behind Gisborne's most popular pet names
Residents share why names like Bella or Luna were best for their furry friends.
Collaboration not competition: Concern raised at after-hours healthcare tender process
Some local clinics are critical of Te Whatu Ora's tender process for a gap in services.
All accounted for in large house fire near Gisborne Central School
All occupants have been accounted for as firefighters battle the blaze.
Man pleads guilty to manslaughter after 10yo son fatally shoots hunter
The defendant did not have a current firearms licence.
Ritchie Civil owners purchase Allied Concrete plant
Derek and Rebecca Watson did not want Gisborne to lose one of two concrete plants.
Vehicle thefts hit Gisborne residents hard
Police say about 10 vehicles were stolen over two nights in Gisborne.
‘Hatred and division’: Rainbow crossing vandalised twice in a week
Vulgar graffiti has been spray-painted across the pedestrian crossing.
'Horrific': Dog attacks leave more than fifty animals dead in one night
'There were bits of chicken down Nelson Rd.'
'Look, it’s too late! Get out!': Mum's desperate plea to son as house burns
‘When we got out it would have been only 30 seconds later when windows started blowing.'
Locals question Gisborne’s top economic growth rank
Locals have highlighted the challenges of Gisborne's economy.
'Urgent' review after hospital security cameras not working for three months
All CCTV cameras were not operating since June this year after months of technical issues.
Hospital investigates claim staff member swore at woman, left collapsed man
The hospital says the review is ongoing and its communications could have been better.
Gisborne family home shot: ‘We have done nothing to invite this event into our lives’
Investigation ongoing into who fired bullet into family home in Gisborne.
Touched many lives: Whanau celebrate Midge's life
'Let’s carry on Mum’s legacy by striving to work hard, care for others and smile more.'
Third generation Gisborne plumber aims to match older brother's national win
Cleaning up the regional event hasn't left Seth Hall drained- he wants the top prize.
'Poor drafting' of tenancy agreement and 'harassment' costs landlord thousands
A long tenancy dispute on a lifestyle block ended with an order for $8300 in compensation.
German newcomer sees potential in Gisborne apples
A German-owned company is investing in Gisborne's apple industry with an orchard purchase.
A question of safety in Oak Ave: 'I just see the tree and I just want to cut it down'
Peleti Oli's brother died when an SUV hit a tree in 2021.
Marine Parade fruit vendor unable to see feathered friends without car
'They have been waiting there every day for me', says Merrin Fairless.
Police swoop on homeless encampment in Napier, trespass 10 people
The former backpackers site on Marine Parade suffered an extensive fire in 2023.
Regional emissions fall: Cyclone Gabrielle and other factors at play
Hawke’s Bay was one of the 13 regions where emissions fell last year.
'Flawed': $1m pool set aside for thousands of Hawke's Bay residents, but only if they ask for it
Neil Kirton said he would advocate for council to send letters to all affected ratepayers.
'Amalgamation by stealth': Regional deals could reopen Hawke's Bay debate
Hawke's Bay wants a regional deal with the Govt, but is it "amalgamation by stealth"?
Firefighter's warning after acid spill shuts down Hastings road for hours
A 5-litre container of muriatic acid fell off the back of a vehicle and on to the road.
More than 100 people interested in Wairoa flood class action
Lawyer Grant Shand says funding for the Wairoa case is still to be finalised.
'Perfect storm': The multiple origins of a boutique dairy company's closure
'Predatory pricing', customer payment lag, and a rent increase all hit Origin Earth hard.
Lena Ormsby named as one of 25 'changemakers' by YWCA
The high-achieving ex-Karamu High School student is passionate about race relations.
'Really pleased': Hawke's Bay growers welcome raft of RSE scheme changes
An increase to the cap, changes to pay and accommodation costs are among the changes.
Van offering washes for Hawke's Bay's homeless launched
The name of the laundry waka serving Hawke's Bay is 'Piki'.
Neighbours watched 'ball' of flame engulf Napier home
A woman was arrested after the 'well-involved' fire, police inquiries are ongoing.
Don't try this at home: 79-year-old woman's cooking fire warning
Siua Malota threw flour and salt at the flames, and against all odds, the fire went out.
'Absolute nightmare': Parking changes causing issues near Napier school
'There were cars constantly up and down doing u-turns, double parking, it was chaos.'
No plans to trial chemical additives in Hastings to stop hot water cylinder failures
A report last year recommended adding chemicals to water to neutralise the issue.
Restaurant fire at new site weeks after reopening
The cause is understood to be similar to the fire that destroyed the restaurant last year.
Landlord ordered to pay Hawke's Bay cyclone victim $7000 over flood-hit rental dispute
The woman was offered a home, then told to leave after noticing issues on her first day.
'I can walk': Hawke’s Bay boy with cerebral palsy taking first steps after surgery
The community raised over $200,000 for 7-year-old Rocco Green. It's paid off.
Building fire extinguished on rural school grounds with help from public
Members of the public used a hose on the ceiling fire before firefighters arrived.
'It is a treasure': Prolonged closure of hot springs
Supply chain issues and poor weather continue to plague the septic system replacement.
A town reeling: The community fighting to turn around flood-stricken Wairoa
Flooding, climate change and gradual decline in primary industry are hitting Wairoa.
Family of killed toddler say Oranga Tamariki gave them $300 in an envelope
Trish Puna says by the time she found out where Casino was, she was dying in Starship.
Keirunga Park Railway expects to reopen after bridge damage, cause unknown
Hastings District Council said the cause of the damage had not been determined.
Gateway to self-determination: Iwi-led support hub to keep tamariki out of state care opens
Te Ara Mātua Hub in Heretaunga will let whānau to access health, home, and youth support.
'Riddled with deer': Rural group arranges feral deer butchery classes
Solving a problem and getting a feed at the same time
Hawke's Bay Regional Council says growers' call to pause water consents creates environmental risk
Growers warn of harm to the region if a pause on new water consents does not remain.