Lane Nichols is Deputy Head of News and a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years' experience in the industry.
His career includes stints at the Nelson Mail, Dominion Post and currently the Herald. He has covered numerous rounds including fisheries, health, education and property, winning several national awards along the way. He has held senior newsroom leadership roles for nearly 15 years while also reporting on many high-profile news events and breaking countless exclusive stories. His current areas of focus include bank fraud and the surge of international investment scams. But he has also undertaken deep-dive investigations into the skydiving industry, mental health sector, property speculation, Kāinga Ora and misbehaving real estate agents. He is based in Auckland but remains a proud Wellingtonian. You can contact Lane at lane.nichols@nzme.co.nz.

Excuses and self-pity: What a film-maker caught with child exploitation files told a judge
Rajneel Singh claimed he only accessed the material to impress women online.

'He’s a predator': Film-maker jailed for child sex abuse files acquitted in 2002
Police found 554 child exploitation files on his devices during a 2023 raid.

Auckland film-maker jailed for child sex abuse material; industry in shock
The actor and director was caught sending images to a 'decoy' police detective online.

Woman who received pensioner’s $158k in bank error pleads not guilty, name suppressed
The woman was granted name suppression after arguing undue hardship.

Watch: Hooded man storms field, punches player in schoolboy rugby game
Police say the behaviour is not acceptable and they are making inquiries.

Bank accused of using $1m scam victim’s hardship to dodge potential liability
'This case has liability avoidance written all over it,' financial commentator claimed.

Finders keepers? Woman who received $158k in transfer error charged with theft
The woman could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

Former top real estate agent's home detention bid thrown out despite 'savage' prison attack
The Crown calls Aaron Drever a calculated criminal lacking self-awareness.

TSB blocks probe after staff help customer send $1m to scammers
'If they’ve got nothing to hide, why are they trying to evade the Ombudsman?'

'Our life has been consumed': Remuera couple's six-year legal fight over 'defective' reno
The builder successfully sued the couple after they refused to pay their bills.

‘Dagger through my heart’: JP linked to $1.8m scam unmasked after failed secrecy bid
Suren Sharma allegedly helped criminals steal $1.8m from 12 investment scam victims.

UK bank accuses Westpac of ‘critical errors’ after customer sent $158k to wrong account
Westpac denies liability, blaming the customer for keying the wrong account details.

More asbestos found in Auckland War Memorial Museum, whole building closed, staff working remotely
The museum closed after asbestos was found in multiple areas.

'Cold sweats': Why ex-real estate star wants out of prison after 'life-altering' attack
The Crown calls Aaron Drever a calculated criminal lacking self-awareness.

Westpac CEO intervenes after pensioner loses $158k in bank transfer error
The money went to an Auckland woman who allegedly spent it on cars and transfers.

Pensioner who lost $158k gets bank refund after woman's 'spending spree'
Andrew Che Sit Bong, 78, lost his savings due to a single-digit mistake.

Woman who received $158k in bank transfer error could face charge, jail time: expert
The money was allegedly used for cars and sent to a boyfriend and a relative.

Woman’s 'spree' after $158k banking error, refuses to return pensioner’s life savings
Andrew Che lost his retirement savings due to a one-digit bank transfer error.

Banks to reimburse fraud victims up to $500,000 under new rules
New tech will identify risky transactions and freeze suspect accounts.

Auckland Council reaches settlement with cafe owner over $900,000 rates debt
The settlement prevents a forced sale of Rupa's Cafe and two homes.

Opinion: I wasted 3.5 hours on buses – thanks a lot transport bosses
OPINION: If we're serious about public transport, we need to stop scoring own goals.

Ponsonby CEO unable to give evidence at $430k supercar road rage trial
The CEO was a key witness; his absence delayed the 74yo’s judge-alone trial.

'No words to say': Family mourn 6yo boy who died after routine tonsil surgery
The boy will be farewelled on Saturday at a 'celebration of life' ceremony.

Family of 6yo who died after tonsil surgery 'humbled' by love and compassion
The little boy will be farewelled tomorrow at a 'celebration of life' ceremony.

Funeral for Auckland boy who died after tonsil surgery takes place tomorrow
The family will hold a ceremony celebrating the boy's life this Saturday.

‘Doesn’t make sense’: Auckland boy, 6, dies after routine tonsil surgery
Investigations have been launched by police and Health NZ.

Architectural designer admits money laundering, seeks discharge and permanent suppression
The designer helped scammers steal $235,000 from two investors.

‘Cover-up’: Family demand answers after child sex offender’s prison death
Kingi Hemi died in Ngawha Prison in November. His cause of death remains unknown.

‘Unsatisfactory’: Why police did not oppose bail for trio accused of gang raping tourist
The mother of one accused defended her son, saying it was a 'misunderstanding'.

‘Golden opportunity missed’: Why Auckland’s America’s Cup hopes sank without Govt backing
Team NZ needed $150 million, with half expected from Government support.

‘Scammers don’t sleep’: FMA under fire for delayed scam alert after retiree loses $1m
The FMA took 47 days to issue a scam warning, during which a retiree lost $1m.

Watchdog launches probe after ANZ helped victim send $250k to scammers
ANZ refused liability saying there were no indications of fraud or 'red flags'.

‘Negligence to the eyeballs’: Westpac under fire in $2m laundering case
Carel Viljoen laundered nearly $2 million in an investment scam.

Mississippi River cruise - an immersion in deep South creole, jazz and Delta blues
The deep South is an intoxicating mix of Creole-infused food, music, religion and culture.

‘Incalculable harm’: Former Destiny Church member jailed for sexual abuse of boys in youth group
He pleaded guilty in December.

‘Welcome back’: Disgraced real estate agent jailed again for impersonating businessman
Drever was jailed in 2022 for stealing $600,000 from a bowling club and speedway company.

‘I make some money out of it’: Interview with a $2m money launderer
A scam victim who lost $1m says: “I’ve failed as a husband to protect my wife".

‘Anxious as s***’: Businessman guilty of money laundering linked to $2m scam
The victims thought they were investing in high interest bonds but lost nearly $1m each.

‘I’ve lost so much’: ANZ under fire for blocking $1m fraud investigation
Consumer NZ says the victim is powerless and something needs to change.

Auckland lawyer fined $275k for ‘reckless’ foreign buyer rule breaches
Jarvis admitted setting up structures that circumvented the Overseas Investment Act.

Listen: ‘Appalling on all levels’ – Experts slam ANZ for failing to prevent $250k scam
The victim says ANZ's failures directly contributed to her loss.

Auckland Council drops charge as star witness vanishes in Waiheke vineyard case
The witness's mystery disappearance was linked to an 'employment issue'.

‘We were that close’: Couple narrowly avoid $270k scam after lawyer’s email hacked
The scam involved a fake invoice from their law firm's compromised account.

‘Huge relief’: Kiwi scam victims get some of their life savings back
The victims claimed Westpac failed in its duty of care by not conducting proper checks.

'Significant life safety risk': Staff backlash over use of quake-prone Police College buildings
Worried staff say their lives are being gambled with for the sake of 'productivity'.

'Totally dropped the ball': ANZ staff helped scam victim send $250k to known 'money mule'
The victim is shocked to learn the bank was on notice about the suspect account.

'Hopeless': Former lover ordered to pay more than $100k after manipulating dying man's will
The court found Lily Li had unduly influenced Frank Lane into giving her $500,000.

Westpac cleared after tellers help elderly widow withdraw $300,000 cash before death
It’s alleged that staff once gave $23,000 stuffed into an envelope to the woman.

‘He scammed me too’: CEO denies laundering $1.53m, says he was also duped
'I stand to be incarcerated. Who will look after my boys?'

Fast food giant cops $30k fine for breaching foreign buyer rules, top law firm tangled in dispute
The foreign investment watchdog says law firm did not provide advice on need for consent.

Auckland home crowned the city's noisiest property in 2024
Locals say barking dogs, people arguing and the sound of boy racers cause annoyance.

Awash with guns: Frontline cops face chilling daily arsenal of lethal firearms
The deadly arsenal includes military-style semi-automatic assault rifles.

'Snitches get stitches': Family want answers after child sex offender's 'unexplained' prison death
The family say they found unusual marks on the inmate's body.

Damning court judgment overturns dying man's $500k bequest to ex-lover
The will has now been ruled invalid after a judge found it was subject to undue influence.

'Sent to his death': Slain cop's mother seeks watchdog probe after son's murder
A police report suggests Hunt could have used his car as a weapon after coming under fire.

'High degree of culpability': Luxury Waiheke vineyard convicted and fined after long legal battle
The vineyard was earlier acquitted after blaming noise readings on 'chirping crickets'.

'Word of God': Destiny Church parents demand answers over 5-year abuse by youth leader
Victims' families believe Destiny Church failed to protect vulnerable boys.

'I'll take the blame': Destiny Church youth leader admits to hundreds of sexual abuses
The disciple abused the victims over five years at a house he shared with his mother.

Watch: British scammer caught on CCTV legging it from cops after being collared in CBD
Hennessy posed as a police courier to steal $337k from 21 victims.

'I have a mortgage': Ponsonby CEO charged over supercar 'road rage' case says he's not that wealthy
'Media has depicted me as a horrible person, someone that could beat up an elderly man.'

'Prurient interest': Name of Ponsonby CEO accused of $430K supercar 'road rage' attack suppressed
The wealthy company director will be allowed to keep his name secret – for now.

'Racing machine on the wrist': Scammer claims he was blackmailed over $200k watch
The scammer says UK criminals threatened his family and made him take flight to NZ

'Sickening': Female preschool teacher charged with possessing child abuse images
The teacher has been in court and has been granted interim name suppression.

'Return the stolen money': Elite private school refused to refund scam victim's 'tainted' $50K
Victim believes the school has a moral duty not to keep money from an alleged criminal.

Listen: Scammers who used deepfake Luxon video to steal $224,000 caught on recording
A fraud expert says the highly skilled scammers use psychological tricks to con victims.

Former lawyer accused of using laundered $400k on luxury home, private school fees
The disbarred lawyer claims multimillion-dollar business deals are at risk if he is named.

'Evil will come to you': Woman loses life savings to deepfake Luxon crypto scam
Scammers sent software giving them remote access to victim's device and bank account.

Banks set date to introduce key anti-scam measure, reimbursement question still hanging
Watchdog says it's 'shameful' banks took so long to introduce confirmation of payee tech.

Gong recipient who owes millions boasts of $8m fortune, alleged gang threat
South Auckland businessman faces alleged gang threat amid financial scandal.

Watchdog clears bank after branch manager helps customer send $250k to scammers
If the victim had lost the money in Britain, he would likely have received a full refund.

Auckland Council to forcibly sell cafe owner's properties after record $876k rates bill
Dilip Rupa was the first person prosecuted for refusing to display Covid-19 QR codes.

Gong recipient's firm owes $4m, including $180k for Rolls-Royce, says liquidator
Rahal has resigned as a JP and the Honours Unit is probing whether he should hold a gong.

Why did police not charge top Auckland school teacher after sex with student?
'He’s groomed her to the point where she has been unable to say no', the advocate claims.

Ponsonby CEO pleads not guilty over alleged road rage attack on pensioner
The man's lawyer claimed publication of his name could cause financial harm to his company

Top Auckland school responds to revelations former music teacher had sex with student
The Epsom college has criticised the Teaching Council in an email to parents today.

'Gross negligence': Family to sue banks after disabled son lost $250k in scam
Neither NZ nor Australian police are investigating the fraud due to a miscommunication.

Luxury Waiheke vineyard found guilty of noise breach, could be fined up to $600k
The vineyard was earlier acquitted after blaming noise readings on 'chirping crickets'.

Muslim school caught up in toxic receivership stoush involving warring charity, nearly $2m
The school was forced into lockdown this week after threatening videos were sent.