Kurt Bayer is NZ Herald's South Island Head of News based in Christchurch, covering the South Island and stories of national interest.
Kurt Bayer is South Island Head of News for the NZ Herald based in Christchurch, covering the South Island and stories of national interest. He has been with the Herald since 2011. Prior to being at the Herald, Kurt spent a decade working with a national news agency providing coverage for regional, national and international publications including The Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, Sun, The Times, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian, and Scotsman. Since 2011 post the Christchurch earthquake, Canterbury has provided a busy beat, with more quakes, royal commissions of inquiry, long-running insurance wrangles, plus the ongoing fallout from the Pike River mine disaster, the March 15 terror attacks, and high-profile murder cases like the ‘Black Widow’ Helen Milner, the Ashburton WINZ slayings, and dozens of others. While often reporting on live and breaking stories, Kurt also has an interest in covering military history, leading the Herald’s WWI centenary coverage and ghost-writing the Sunday Times number one bestseller, The Forgotten Highlander, as well as antiquaries, cricket, and quirky human interest stories. In 2021, he was named Voyager Media Awards Crime & Justice Reporter of the Year while also winning Regional Journalist of the Year. In 2017, he went to write about the South Island Gumboot Throwing Championships and came away with the longest throw of the day and an invitation to compete at the national championships, finishing fourth – behind Dame Valerie Adams. You can contact Kurt Bayer at kurt.bayer@nzherald.co.nz.
Kiwi adventure camp operator charged after boy severely burned on school trip
Charges against the trust have been laid at Christchurch District Court.
US authorities eye $1.2m crypto from Kiwi pornographer awaiting trial
Michael Pratt has been extradited fropm Spain to the States.
Exclusive photos: Mark Lundy seen in community after 23 years' jail
The Herald spotted a bespectacled Lundy in an oversized hoodie, trackpants and jandals.
Released: Double killer Mark Lundy walks free after 23 years
Lundy has spent more than 23 years behind bars for killing his wife and daughter.
'Coward' father who killed son, 6, in fiery crash freed from prison
Niklas Gebhardt was jailed in 2022 after being convicted of manslaughter.
‘Disgusted’: Exponents frontman Jordan Luck escapes drink driving conviction
The high-profile entertainer was over the limit in December.
Whodunnit? Homicide cops probe multiple suspects in Tyrone Munns' killing
Multiple persons of interest as cops say they have their ‘eyes wide open’.
Exclusive photos: Brad Pitt spotted filming in Queenstown
The Hollywood A-lister has kept a low profile since coming into NZ for his latest movie.
Brad Pitt filming near Queenstown: Hollywood A-lister’s latest blockbuster under way
Town bustling with movie hype while megastar actor stays under radar.
Apocalypse now: Doomsday bunker secretly installed in NZ
Underground shelter clients sought the ‘beauty, isolation, security’ of NZ.
Touchdown: Crowds flock as legendary Air Force Hercules lands for final time
One of the last RNZAF C-130H Hercules touched down at its final resting place today.
‘I am not an oligarch’: Russian millionaire on coming to NZ
Alexandre Germanovich sits down with Kurt Bayer after a decade of being miscast.
Inside the mission to free a Kiwi pilot kidnapped by armed rebels
Newly-released papers show how negotiations helped free pilot after 594 days of captivity.
Mother accused of neglect named for first time after baby's death, pleads not guilty
Two-month-old Kevin Chen died on August 5.
Killer confession: A prison yard bombshell and the jailbirds’ crusade to find a body
Kurt Bayer reports on a dramatic twist to Christchurch real estate agent’s horror murder.
Watch: Slain agent's partner says justice has been done after Chinese national found guilty of murder
The case against Tinjun Cao was described by the Crown as an ‘absolute slam dunk’.
Oxford baby death: Woman charged with neglect after infant's death
Two-month-old Kevin Chen died on August 5.
Mongols MC gang members blocked at border ahead of NZ anniversary event
Police and Immigration NZ keeping close watch ahead of outlaw bikies' get-together.
'Grave concerns': Partner describes unfolding horror when Yanfei Bao never came home
A Chinese national denies killing and is standing trial in Christchurch.
Yanfei Bao case: Estate agent lured to house and murdered, high-profile trial hears
A Chinese national denies killing and is standing trial in Christchurch.
Who killed Christchurch estate agent Yanfei Bao? High-profile trial starts today
A Chinese national denies her killing and will face trial in Christchurch.
A NZ spy, massacres, and a daring rescue - a tiny nation's bloody road to peace
A violent backlash killed hundreds and left thousands displaced.
‘I know bugger all about it’: Mayor on LIV Golf coming to Christchurch
The controversial tour has visited a Christchurch golf course as it looks to branch out.
'Blood on their hands': Father of baby who died suddenly warned OT infant 'not safe' before tragedy
Police investigating the death of a 2-month-old boy say the death is 'unexplained'.
Release of captive NZ pilot in Papua remains ‘top priority’ for Government after killing of fellow Kiwi
NZ Government seeks answers over how separatist rebels killed chopper pilot.
'No more bloodshed': Liberation leader's plea after Kiwi pilot shot dead in Papua
His family say he was 'the most caring and loving husband and dad'.
Christchurch missing real estate agent Yanfei Bao believed found
Yanfei Bao had been missing for more than a year.
What old-school motorcycle gang is making a comeback?
Patches spotted in city streets have caught the attention of police.
'I can still shoot around par': NZ's greatest on why golf is the best sport ever invented
Sir Bob Charles on playing well into his 80s and giving something back.
Missing Chinese woman found alive in 'company of somebody she knows'
Ping Lyu had last been seen in Christchurch on Saturday.
US tip-off leads to Christchurch man's arrest for allegedly owning child sex material
Customs raided the man's home this morning - he was allegedly uncooperative.
Gunman takes taxi to evade police; arrest made this morning
A 24-year-old man is due to appear in court today.
Play it again, Sam: Our most famous actor on home, Hollywood friends, wine, and ageing
Sam Neill speaks to Kurt Bayer during wine harvest at his Central Otago vineyards.
Portrait of a killer as a young man: How David Hawken nearly got away with 1995 murder
Former hardman spoke to Kurt Bayer in a series of interviews while awaiting trial.
Sold: Rare deed revealing Britain’s first attempt to colonise NZ fetches six figures
Islands were bought from Māori for 'one double barrel gun... eight muskets’.
Self-made multimillionaire 'Spud King' farmer dies
Allan Pye passed away at the weekend, aged 83.
An avalanche of grief: How two young Kiwis perished on a Japan mountainside
Pierre Nixon and Kurt Bayer report on a double tragedy.
‘Eight muskets and one barrel of powder’: Britain’s first attempt to colonise NZ revealed
Rare document shows sale of four islands in Hauraki Gulf years before Treaty of Waitangi.
Collapse of an empire: How a South Island gang boss was brought down from inside
Kurt Bayer reports on the fast rise, and even faster fall, of an underworld kingpin.
Meet the 'Spud King': Millionaire says farming 'better than sex'
Herald journalist Kurt Bayer meets a quiet, self-made millionaire who just loves farming.
Shock resignation: Christchurch city council chief executive steps down
It comes after behind-closed-doors talks last week.
Pike River movie production starts on West Coast
New film aims to tell story following explosions which killed 29 men.
McCaws' mansion: All Blacks legend builds luxury home in Wānaka
Planning documents show the scale of the multi-million dollar riverside development.
'Less than three months for each kid': Father of teen killed by mate furious at parole decision
'The system is about the living, not the dead,' father says after driver serves 16 months.
'Vibing along': Mum's tribute to teen fatally struck by train while listening to music
Shaun Reynolds, 18, died while 'vibing along to his music dancing along the train tracks'.
Deadly love triangle: The woman at the centre of fatal dispute between two best friends
A former prison guard's been found guilty of murdering his estranged partner’s new lover.
Big read: No body, no gun - the murder of Mike McGrath
The full story of the former prison guard who killed his old mate.
Notorious gang pad property still for sale
Old bikers sold the clubhouse land to council for more than $1m.
The Nixon files: Secret papers reveal Richard Nixon’s visit to New Zealand
'Tricky Dicky' was 'not a man of any great humour', declassified documents say.
The Eagle has landed? National considering bringing police helicopter to Christchurch
The party's Dale Stephens says he's backing calls for an Eagle in the city.
Winston Peters accuses Labour of 'dirt campaign' amidst racism stoush
Peters says his candidate Rob Ballantyne was referring to "the disease of co-governance".
The Big Read: Christchurch mayor on Commonwealth Games, fast cars, and dreaming big
The mayor sits down with Kurt Bayer to reflect on his first year in office.
Lachie Jones tragedy: Police admit missing steps probing toddler’s mysterious death
The 3-year-old was found face up in a small town’s oxidation pond 1.2km from home.
Gang land: Old Devils Henchmen property hits the market
The prime industrial land is expected to fetch big money.
Yanfei Bao's employer speaks of 'very heavy hearts' as search efforts ramp up
Teams will be looking for the missing woman from the air, on land and in the water.
'Throwing them in jail not the answer': Hipkins defends ram raids response
Business gathering told 'don't underestimate how seriously we’ve been taking this'.
Behind bars: Prisoners put to work building new social housing
The Herald goes behind the wire for a tour of a busy prison construction yard.
Missing real estate agent: Colleagues helping with search as concerns mount
Police are appealing for information regarding the disappearance.
‘Help us find my beloved wife’: Husband’s plea as fears rise for missing real estate agent
Police are appealing for information regarding a missing Christchurch real estate agent.
‘Heavy-handed’: Police apologise after serving of safety order
Man left bloodied, shaken after officers detained him for a police safety order.
Rescued children: Boy, 8, given day off school as he recovers from night lost in bush
Father relieved after nightmare night searching for kids lost in remote bush.
The violent path to a Mongrel Mob boss' death
A series of 'violent incidents' in Ōpōtiki in the preceding days have been uncovered.
Kiwi tourist stabbed in Vancouver: 'Did this actually just happen to me?’
A New Zealand holidaymaker speaks after a terrifying, unprovoked street attack.
Kiwi tourist stabbed in Vancouver in ‘random and unprovoked attack'
Police investigating the ‘unprovoked’ stabbing in the city’s downtown area.
Collapse of an empire: How a South Island gang boss was brought down from inside
Kurt Bayer reports on the fast rise, and even faster fall, of an underworld kingpin.
NZ Cricket’s new cash cow: How lucrative Indian deal is already paying dividends
More than 200 contracted players expecting cheques from NFTs windfall this month.
World’s oldest single malt from WWll selling for $600k-plus lands in NZ
The rare bottle is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Sir James Wallace case: Top institutions distance themselves from sex offender
Organisations scramble to remove links to disgraced former rich-lister and philanthropist.
Patched over: Comancheros muscle in and take over gang pad
Aggressive move shakes up city’s underworld, while police monitor gang-linked tangi.
The Brotherhood: Secret behind 25 years of Crusaders success revealed
Herald journalist Kurt Bayer on the move that sparked a sporting dynasty.
More human remains found at Pike River: 'They may even be my boy' - father
Latest find means 12 of the 29 men killed in 2010 disaster have now been located.
Fall of Kabul: Pair tried charging fleeing Afghan evacuees; charges laid
Two men have appeared in court accused of seeking $450,000 in fees.
Infamous villa linked to grisly murder probe up for sale
Fire-damaged home searched twice by police during homicide inquiry.
Two people confirmed dead after car, school bus crash in rural Canterbury
St John is treating several patients, people in the car have been injured, police say.
Patched over: Entire Rebels MC chapter become Comancheros
Sudden move sends shockwaves through the underworld and gang tension fears mount.
Rangiora homicide: Woman appears in court charged with being accessory after alleged murder
Richard Leman's body was found inside a parked car seven weeks ago.
Oranga Tamariki 'fraud': Pair charged with $2 million scam
Pair also face charge of money laundering $791,500.
Tears, fears, and too many beers: A typical day in court
Some beg for mercy. Some are bored. Kurt Bayer spends a day in court.
Man pleads guilty after firing at targets of Jacinda Ardern and other politicians in video
The video shows an individual repeatedly shooting images of politicians.