Jared Savage
Investigative Journalist
Jared Savage, an Investigative Reporter for New Zealand’s Herald, has reported on some of the most high-profile and controversial cases in recent New Zealand history.
I’m Jared Savage and I’ve been a reporter since 2004 where I landed my first job at an Auckland suburban newspaper after completing a Bachelor of Communications at AUT. Journalism has allowed me to travel the country, and the world, to report on ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I’m constantly amazed at the generosity of those who have invited me into their homes. Often, they are sharing the most traumatic moments of their lives, and their trust is something that cannot be taken for granted. I’ve covered the natural disasters of the Samoan tsunami and the Christchurch earthquakes, dodgy political donations, a mayoral sex scandal, two Rugby World Cups, but somehow keep gravitating towards the drama of the courtroom. I’ve reported on some of the most high-profile and controversial cases in recent New Zealand history; the Kahui twins, Scott Guy and Chris Cairns’ perjury trial in London to name a few. Lately, I’ve taken a special interest in the evolution of organised crime in this country, in particular the millions of dollars made from the lucrative meth trade and the devastating social and health impacts of the ongoing crisis. It’s my firm belief that sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Check out Jared’s latest content
Child sex exploitation, bestiality material allegedly found on work devices of ex-top cop
Media can now report nature of material that led to resignation of deputy police chief.
200 dodgy visas granted for businesses linked to Vietnamese cannabis houses
Investigation revealed how Vietnamese crime groups exploited hundreds of migrant workers.
FBI sting: Kiwi gang member to face years in US prison, then 70 charges in NZ
Shane Ngakuru, 45, was a key distributor of ANOM network photos secretly controlled by FBI
Auckland gun shop owner caught in undercover police sting
The gun retailer told the unlicensed buyer to not tell anyone. He was an undercover cop.
Alleged Auckland drug kingpin hiding in Mexico, police believe
Andre James faces new drug charges after skipping NZ before he could be arrested in 2019.
Police raid Greazy Dogs gang: Claim 'significant blow' with five arrests, $1.5m assets seized
Five members and associates of motorcycle gang charged with meth offences.
Charge withdrawn in family feud murder case
Tensions erupted in the courtroom in April when the shooter pleaded guilty.
'Militant, paranoid': Comanchero 501 deportee sentenced after record drug bust
Gang associate kicked out of Australia for arson became truck driver for 613kg drug bust.
'Insider threat': NZ and Pacific being corrupted by organised crime - experts
Experts recommend a national anti-corruption agency to investigate reports of bribery.
Jared Savage: Who are the top cop contenders to replace Jevon McSkimming?
Analysis: There's a few clues which hint at the favoured candidate to be next deputy.
New witness in Kiwifruit scam: $10m went through student’s accounts in 6 months
Second witness in Herald investigation shows $10m of deposits and cash withdrawals.
Ex-top cop's 'super injunction' lifts but media can't report details of allegations
Former deputy police commissioner fighting to stop publication of new allegations.
'Frightened all the time': Inside a $3m kiwifruit tax evasion scam
'Money mule' was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted after threatening to blow the whistle.
IPCA to investigate how high-ranking police handled allegations against Jevon McSkimming
IPCA to investigate potential 'neglect of duty' by police after misconduct complaint.
Drugs and gangs: Research reveals messaging apps used to sell cannabis, MDMA
Survey of nearly 11,000 users reveals most popular social media apps to purchase drugs.
Alleged porn on police deputy's PC probed over 'objectionable material' concerns
Deputy Commissioner resigned suddenly after confronted by 'very serious' allegations.
Police deputy quits after porn allegedly found on work computer - sources
Pornography allegedly found while high-ranking officer suspended in separate inquiry.
Cryptocurrency ATMs and 'high risk' cash wages should be banned, experts warn
Police could be given power to monitor bank accounts in real time, experts say.
Influential gang member returns to NZ for funeral, police arrest him at Auckland airport
Social media posts show the gangster driving flash cars and shopping for designer clothes.
Tribesmen gang member released after shooting Killer Beez leader Josh Masters
Okusitino Tae was released from prison this week despite potential risk of gang conflict.
'That's what happens when you f*** with family': How a family feud ended in gang murder
Rebel MC member gunned down at close range by Head Hunter after five previous incidents.
Ferrari-driving gang member admits importing 613kg drugs, faces losing $7m in assets
The main target in Operation Weirton has pleaded guilty on the eve of High Court trial.
Comancheros bust: Influential gang member charged with 200kg drug import
The Comanchero was charged months after two men allegedly broke into a shipping container.
NZ is ‘losing the fight’ against organised crime; new report urges bold changes
Report by experts says information-sharing between government agencies is 'deficient'.
Rare life sentence for meth haul: Gang mastermind imported nearly 200kg from behind bars
The 'revered' gangster known as 'Plata o Plomo' was already serving a long prison term.
Revealed: Auckland construction figure charged with importing 515kg of meth
The 52-year-old denies any knowledge of the drugs hidden inside 42 steel beams from the US
Police too slow to perform CPR on gang member who died in cells – watchdog
The Independent Police Conduct Authority release report into death of Taranaki Fuimaono.
‘We’ve got a big problem': Meth use in NZ spikes to record high
Consumption doubled in the second half of 2024, according to wastewater testing.
NZ gang member pleads guilty to FBI charges, facing lengthy US prison sentence
Shane Ngakuru, 45, was a key distributor of ANOM network secretly controlled by FBI
Mongrel Mob boss jailed after he was found with $68k in Louis Vuitton handbag
Mathew Karetu was dealing drugs as the national president of the Barbarians chapter.
Funeral for father of high-profile gang boss set to disrupt Tauranga traffic, police warn
Expected influx of members of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle club could clash with locals.
‘Hunger Games’: Inside the proposed restructure of NZ's most senior police officers and staff
Leaked proposal reveals which jobs are disestablished among the highest levels of police.
Hells Angels boss jailed for 25 years as Kiwi pair on run for 400kg cocaine plot
Hells Angel and meth cook escaped from Romania after DEA sting and are still fugitives.
‘Global Kingpin’: Inside the US crackdown on alleged Lithuanian drug ring with history in NZ
A recent US sanctions notice has put the spotlight on Rokas Karpavicius' business empire.
What happened to Tracey Ann Patient in cold case murder 49 years ago?
The death of the 13-year-old on January 29, 1976 led police to investigate 670 suspects.
‘We’re a different kettle of fish’: Inside the three-year police investigation that busted the Comancheros gang
Jared Savage pieces together four different covert investigations which targeted the gang.
NZ’s second-most powerful cop suspended amid criminal investigation
Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming was suspended before Christmas.
Summer reads: A look inside New Zealand's gang scene
A behind-the-scenes look at NZ's criminal underbelly.
Auckland bail facilities under scrutiny after raid finds drugs, AK-47 and ammo - again
It's the second time drugs and guns have been found at an Ahikaa Trust bail property.
Inmates in NZ's toughest prison start three fires over the weekend
Corrections say there is 'no information' to suggest the fires were co-ordinated.
Inside the 10-year police probe to bring down Wayne Doyle and the Head Hunters
Special report: Inside the labyrinthine case which led to $15m forfeiture.
The drug-dealing Mongrel Mob boss who had $68k cash in a Louis Vuitton handbag
The gang leader was seen in a pub carpark buying 1kg of meth for $140,000.
How a church-going businessman was caught smuggling 30kg of drugs for King Cobras
Ronnie Kivalu's double life was exposed when he was caught red-handed with the meth.
It started with a $1.2m money drop: King Cobras and the Air NZ baggage handlers
Inside the police investigation which uncovered corruption at Auckland Airport.
Gang members arrested after alleged 200kg meth heist at Port of Tauranga
Two men allegedly broke into shipping container and pulled out five suitcases of drugs.
US sanctions freeze assets of international drug dealer linked to NZ
Rokas Karpavicius was extradited, convicted, then deported back to Lithuania in 2016.
Death of Mongrel Mob boss after $2m asset seizure ruled as suicide
The captain of Notorious chapter in Hawke's Bay had 'not been coping well', says wife.
NZ's second-most powerful cop under investigation, on leave from police
The IPCA is investigating Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
Operation Reach: Senior Head Hunter charged over plot to smuggle 50kg cocaine from Brazil
The 60-year-old appeared in court yesterday, nine months after Operation Reach co-accused.
Alleged boss of Mongrel Mob drug ring is son of gang’s slain president
Steve Taiatini was vocal about dangers of meth before his death. His son has been charged.
'Unmasking monsters': Meet the Customs team intercepting child sex abuse material
New documentary goes inside the elite Customs team investigating child sex material in NZ.
'It was really tough': New Police Commissioner on the challenge of his career
The new head of the police talks to Jared Savage ahead of his first day on the job.
Richard Chambers is the new Police Commissioner - who is he?
The son of a criminal barrister was always destined for high things, says former mentor.
Boy, 8, killed in suspicious circumstances can now be named
'Monster', was shouted in court as a 25-year-old woman appeared in relation to his death.
Why gang member who shot Killer Beez leader Josh Masters didn't get parole
Parole Board had safety fears for a small NZ town if Okusitino Tae was released there.
Police cancel staff leave ahead of nationwide protest
Police expect peaceful march but plan to avoid ugly repeat of Parliament Covid protest.
Revealed: The two candidates interviewing today for NZ Police Commissioner role
Shortlist of candidates down to Jevon McSkimming and Richard Chambers.
How a gang member masterminded 200kg meth import from behind bars
Operation Brewer cracked encrypted phone messages to unravel the ingenious plot.
Guns, drugs and gang violence: Major organised crime probe ends in seizures, arrests
ANALYSIS: Operation Highwater reminder of problem of gangs in NZ's small towns.
Major police probe prevents tangi shooting and attempted murder of rival gang member
Police seized illegal drugs and firearms and restrained assets worth $800k.
Construction and oil industry pair granted bail after steel beam meth bust
More than 500kg of meth was allegedly smuggled inside some of 42 steel beams.
'Greed can't come before safety': Mum of dead worker on boss' $4m deal with police
Lawyers negotiated a deal after police opened case in seven-week trial earlier this week.
Auckland construction, oil industry figures charged in major meth bust
The pair are among five men before the courts over the seized drugs.
High Court ruling on Wayne Doyle sparks lengthy appeal process for Head Hunters
Longest running criminal proceeds case set to be re-litigated in Court of Appeal.
Parole Board deports Aiyaz Mohammed Musa Umarji after drug importation sentence
Aiyaz Mohammed Musa Umarji released by Parole Board after 14 months in prison.
The meth lab, the gang taxing and a murder charge
Five years after a meth lab was found in bush, the chaotic fallout can be revealed.
Police, Customs swoop nets 515kg of meth in one of NZ's biggest drug busts
Two men from Australia arrested while 'deconstructing' the beams to get drugs inside.
Revealed: Why WorkSafe dropped prosecution against police over Head Hunter's death
Death of Taranaki 'Ardie' Fuimaono will be investigated by IPCA and Coroner instead.
'Hugely respected': Head detective on infamous Mr Asia drug case dies
Detective Brears Basham doggedly pursued Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark in the 1970s.
Police seize Comancheros' $3.8m mansion where gangster's wife lived
Five-bedroom, three-bathroom property in Half Moon Bay recently sold at mortgagee sale.
Gangster’s Paradise: Inside Head Hunters’ luxury overseas trip
Social media posts show gang members living it up in dream destinations.
How cops seized $2m of assets from Mongrel Mob boss before his death
Gangster had properties, classic cars, expensive Harley Davidsons and a $32,000 holiday.
Analysis: New job for top cop Andrew Coster win-win for National
ANALYSIS: The dignified exit gives a chance to appoint top cop in time for anti-gang laws.
Inside the two-horse race to be New Zealand’s next top cop
Analysis: Two frontrunners for Police Commissioner after early departure of Andrew Coster.
‘Ghost Team’: Police allege former US marine trained Comancheros in military tactics
Comanchero spotted in camouflage 'ghillie suit' as part of alleged military drills.
'You'll be put in a body bag': Police warn of Comancheros' extreme violence after crackdown
Police allege Comancheros hired military trainer, set up 'Commission' to fund activities.
Queensland toolbox murders: Acquitted Kiwi deported to New Zealand
Waylon Walker thought the victims were being taken on a 'boot ride', not to their deaths.
Mass arrests as Comancheros targeted in new police raids
The arrests in Auckland come less than a week after similar raids in Christchurch.
Inside the 10-year police probe to bring down Wayne Doyle and the Head Hunters
Special report: Inside the labyrinthine case which led to $15m forfeiture this week.
What arrest of every Comanchero in Christchurch reveals about NZ’s gang underworld
Operation Avon is the latest in long list of investigations into the Comanchero gang.