John Weekes
Senior Business Reporter
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and court. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and court.
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and court. He has covered some of New Zealand and Queensland's most high-profile court cases and trials, as well as politics, breaking news and consumer affairs. He covered transport disasters at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and soon after reported on the Antarctic adventurer Busby Noble. John's work since has assisted abuse survivors, fraud victims and people suffering from rare illnesses. He rejoined the Herald in 2020, previously working at Stuff and News Corp, Australia.
Check out John’s latest content
Indian aviation’s close connection with NZ and student pilots
Hundreds of student pilots will need support after the crash, aviation leader says.
Air NZ-drone investigation: Operators ‘gutted’ and warn of potential disaster
'Russian roulette': Drone operator says airport incident shows need for oversight.
NZ's next big export? Medicinal cannabis mission off to Europe
Big overseas markets for medicinal cannabis spur a Kiwi trade trip.
Jetstar ditches Singapore-based operator for more NZ, Australia focus
Aircraft will be redeployed to New Zealand and Australia from Asia.
Overseas visitor numbers up in April but still lagging behind pre-Covid levels
Stats show a Covid catch-up persists, as millions are poured into tourism campaigns.
Tourism: Luxon, Upston hope more money gets more attention from China, Australia, US
More bounce needed to get tourism numbers back to pre-pandemic levels, PM needed.
Victims wonder if the ‘Glib Huckster’ can ever change
The clean-cut man with an alias greased his way into their lives and wallets.
Con artist property developer who ‘financially disemboweled’ victims gets more jail time
Victim says 'narcissist' fraudster Aaron Coupe ruined lives and was nabbed on skiing trip.
Rolls-Royce responds after Air NZ complains, airline group blasts manufacturers
Airline chief says Christmas promises he gets keep going unfulfilled.
Singapore Airlines bringing giant jet to Auckland
A double-decker Airbus is to fly to Auckland as visitor numbers from the city-state grow.
Don Brash v Matthew Hooton: High Court hears Brash wants 'unreserved apology'
The columnist wants the lawsuit thrown out in the defamation case.
Air NZ announces Christchurch-Adelaide service after getting planes out of ‘the sin bin’
New Airbus A321s and leased engines allowing for more flights, CEO says.
Air NZ to use bigger jet on some Auckland-South Island flights
All Blacks test in Dunedin, Queenstown winter holiday trips get more seats.
Airline group IATA slams ‘unacceptable’ engine problems, delays
And 'outrage' over sustainable fuel also emerges.
Pilots say lessons learned after Air NZ plane smashed into runway edge lights
Five tyres were damaged after wild weather impacted the plane's approach.
Auckland Airport says regional airfield upgrade could allow for more local jet flights
Extreme weather events and possible jet upgrades influence a $147m project.
Facebook NZ says profit and revenue down as it sends $159m to Ireland
Facebook NZ releases result soon after Google, and after digital tax bill ditched.
Rocket Lab to join satellite payload segment with $462m takeover of US company Geost
Missile warning and tracking, tactical intelligence, surveillance among US firm's skills.
Air NZ gets robot-tethered drone in Spark private 5G warehouse project
The airline and the telco say the networked robot is a first for NZ business.
'Act of terrorism': Kiwi mum whose son died in MH17 disaster wants Russia held accountable
Rob Ayley was the only New Zealand citizen on flight MH17.
'Inspire the next generation': Boeing's new push in Kiwi schools
Giant exporter hopes students in regions can be part of the next generation of aviators.
Wellington Airport boosts income but faces festering fleet problems
Airport performance improves but chief warns fleet issues could linger for a year.
Greg Foran says NZ too slow out of the blocks with tourism
Foran says nothing stopping new airline making moves, but they'll see how tough it is.
Airfares: Commerce Commission explains why it doesn’t want a competition study, but tells airlines to watch out
Is the system 'broken' or is NZ just too tough for more aviation players?
Airlines, airports welcome visa change for foreign language speakers
Airline supply issues, bevy of charges could be dragging down tourism recovery, some say.
Auckland Airport regulation risk overhyped: Analyst
Could the airport lose its 'dual till' model and become a victim of Nanny State rules?
Airfares too high? Take the bus, InterCity says ahead of new electric bus launch
A new electric city bus is coming. Long-haul EV buses may be viable in a year or so too.
Up in Smoke: Why NZ's medical cannabis industry is struggling to make ends meet
After tragic cases, a new industry touted as a potential saviour has run into roadblocks.
Air New Zealand's 787-9 Dreamliner retrofit: CEO Greg Foran on big investment, top job
Advances in the digital world will be replicated in the flight experience, Foran says.
Air New Zealand’s 787-9 Dreamliner retrofit revealed
The CEO says every class has tailor-made features after the years-long retrofit project.
Auckland Airport to get new cargo precinct as fruit and vege freight booms
Airport outlines cargo precinct plan. Meanwhile, a US duty-free ban takes effect today.
Air NZ overhauls emission targets: How more sustainable fuel could power future flights
Airline says overseas turmoil doesn't change its goal to slash emissions.
NZ fogcaster start-up signs deal with British Airways subsidiary
A Kiwi inks a new deal as she aims to cut hassles fog inflicts on passengers and pilots.
Man used fake passport to swindle nearly $1m in Covid wage subsidy fraud
The case is believed to be the largest scam of its kind.
Airports say passengers face 'significant' pressure from multiple price hikes
Don't be in a rush to be too plush, Air NZ tells the air traffic outfit.
On The Up: Defence lawyer on gender gap, work-life balance in legal field
Stereotypes, gangs, AI and workaholics: Is the law really worth it?
Job hunters facing fraud, AI-powered deepfake video interviews
More than one million 'bots' blocked every hour.
New streamlined bag check service for Sydney; Most punctual airlines and airports named
Global airfares have dropped - here's why.
Air NZ expects at least $50m less in compensation for engine troubles
Air NZ highlights Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce engine dramas.
Kathmandu scam: Company using 'digital brand protection platform' against fraud
Platforms profiting from scams should be liable, consumer group says.
Glad owner fined millions after some recycling claims a load of rubbish
Millions in penalties ordered over bags partly sourced from Indonesia.
Overseas visitor arrivals down in February but US tourists break record
Change in Chinese New Year cited as February still can't pip pre-pandemic tourist numbers.
Hawaiian Airlines bringing back frequent Honolulu-Auckland flights
Airline says free Starlink Wi-Fi will be included, as Alaska deal opens up more routes.
Qantas digs out the archives for 60 years of jets to New Zealand
Qantas marks a milestone from the early years of the Jet Age.
Engineering firms lose 1200 people in a year
Hundreds laid off but most firms confident things will improve this year.
Tariff turmoil: How will airfares be impacted?
Five key factors could influence airfares, economist says.
BA-Qatar airline alliance gets extension from NZ Government
Three airlines in new deal as big changes roll out for civil aviation rules.
Public Defence Service overhaul raises concerns about miscarriages of justice
The PSA questions how many lawyers will replace those potentially being laid off.
Insurer IAG admits fair dealing breaches
Insurance giant says it's sorry for mistakes and will make repayments by June 30.
Auckland Airport charges: Global airline group IATA calls for ‘urgent change’
A blame game over prices isn't good enough for Kiwi flyers, a consumer group says.
Olivado liquidation: Seeka boss explains why they bought the company
New boss hopes to keep jobs, liquidator says claims still coming in.
Business travellers want more face-to-face action
Video calls not cutting it for companies wanting to build strong bonds, travel firm says.
Auckland Airport trims airline charges after ComCom found its forecast revenue was ‘excessive’
The watchdog releases its findings after an airport pricing probe.
Trump car tariffs may increase cost of some car parts, lead to more Chinese vehicles in NZ
Car industry groups are keeping a close eye on potential tariff impacts on NZ.
Supermarket security extortion claims: Trio in court, one faces indecency charge
One has already indicated he will plead not guilty.
The PM’s next jet? Dassault makes a pitch for its Falcon 8X
Jet and helicopter companies jockey for spotlight as huge airshow starts Downunder.
Bleisure? Young workers in survey keen to blend business with leisure trips
It may sound nice, but how achievable is the 'bleisure' trend for most?
Qantas’ Auckland lounge to close for rebuild next month
Overhaul to make room for 100 extra seats as airline promises better dining options.
Insurance: Big companies ditch multi-policy discounts
Consumers urged to shop around.
Pilots with cancelled or suspended licences will have new appeal rights
Industry responds to new appeal system.
Watch: How Auckland Airport’s runway rejig will work
Biggest runway change in decades as airport tackles two major projects.
Air NZ to deploy fog-casting tech in new trial
Air NZ is deploying a local innovator's technology across its entire network.
IRD says time running out for Small Business Cashflow loan repayments
About 10,000 loans are in default after the Covid-era scheme was launched.
Love rat on the big screen at Fraud Film Festival
Pig butchering and spy dramas: Fraud film festival explores dark arts.
Olivado owes more than $3 million, liquidators say
After oil company's troubles, demands made for 'unpaid debts'.
Overseas visitor arrivals edging up to pre-pandemic numbers
An earlier Chinese New Year tilted January travel numbers up.
Qantas eyes rivals with boost to top-tier loyalty programme
Competition heats up as airlines battle for loyalty card business.
‘A country we can no longer trust’: New Canadian PM blasts Trump
'Dark days brought on by a country we can longer trust,' next Canadian PM says.
The remarkable career of Greg Foran
'No easy feat': Greg Foran joined Air NZ just before some unprecedented challenges.
Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran resigns
Foran has said the time is right for him to step down.
Construction sector likely to pick up, but not immediately
The construction sector had a tough end to 2024, so when might things improve?
Airfares: Airways proposes 7.7% price increase, Air NZ concerned
Air traffic services costs likely to rise from July, impacting a wide range of customers.
Ellerslie takes on the Melbourne Cup with richest-ever local race day
NZ's richest-ever race day should have close races - and the industry faces rivals too.
The EV summer road trip is an exercise in joy and techno-tantrums
A cranky driver's quest to see if the EV can ever make for a great Kiwi road trip.
‘The nuns stole me’: Man’s decades-long search for birth family truths
It took 36 years to meet his parents – and is taking almost as long to get answers.
Kiwis drinking more strong beer, less wine
New stats show rise in popularity of drinks stronger than 5%.
Look inside Auckland’s new 4223sq m Mormon temple
'The best we can humanly achieve in construction and design': Inside the LDS Temple.
Tony Gibson sentenced for stevedore’s Auckland port death
'Critical risks' to workers were not addressed, prosecutor says,
Kiwi man’s retreat into dark web and vile images revealed by FBI-led probe
The 29-year-old paid to access a marketplace where hackers sold stolen identities.
Scams inspire Valentine’s Day stinky florist pop-up shop
The average romance scam victim is losing about $13,500, bank says.