Michael Morrah is a senior investigative reporter.
Michael Morrah was named News Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards - the latest in a series of accolades he's been awarded in his 20-year career as a journalist. Morrah is an investigative journalist who specialises in video storytelling. Prior to joining the NZ Herald in July 2024, he worked as an investigative reporter and occasional news anchor at TV3's Newshub. In 2024 he won Best Coverage of a Major Event at the Voyagers for his work covering Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawkes Bay. Morrah has filed stories from all over the world, including twice reporting on the war and famine in South Sudan and delivering video reports from the world's largest refugee camp in Bangladesh. He's also worked extensively in the Pacific Islands and worked for more than a decade as TV3's pacific correspondent. He won Best Coverage of a Major Event at the NZ Television Awards for his work covering the Samoa measles crisis in 2019 and won again the following year at both the NZTV and Voyager awards for his series of investigative stories on the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also twice been named Reporter of The Year at the NZTV awards. Morrah's empathic approach to news gathering has allowed him to get alongside people from all walks of life and readily build rapport with a variety of sources and newsmakers. Protecting sources is Morrah's most important consideration when he's trusted with sensitive information. Morrah covers a broad range of issues including health, environment, immigration and crime, and is passionate about using journalism to educate, expose wrongdoing, and bring about change for the betterment of all New Zealanders.
'Attenborough would be mortified': Six tonnes of coral bycatch off Christchurch
Experts said incidents involving such a large amount of coral being caught are rare.
'Heartbreaking' spill litters Hauraki Gulf beaches with thousands of plastic beads
Only half of NZ plastic firms use measures to prevent nurdle spills.
Watch - 'National emergency': Mental health patients absconding from EDs
EDs have become the default facility for mental health amid a lack of community services.
Stroke and road crash victims being treated in corridors, says ED doctor
She says little has changed since last winter, which was 'brutal' for staff and patients.
'Significant worry': New data reveals NZ's busiest EDs as winter nears
Christchurch's ED sees more than 400 patients daily, topping national figures.
Patients ‘suffering’ after 1500 treated in corridors over 36 days at an Auckland ED
Staff report a significant risk to patients' health – and even their lives.
Luxon backtracks after 'unhelpful' claim of 100 Uber-driving doctors
Health NZ is seeking interest from overseas doctors in an effort to boost GP numbers.
Watch - 'Small change': Lamborghini-driving security boss fined $1000, banned from hiring migrants
Four workers claimed they paid between $10,000 and $50,000 cash for visas to work in NZ.
'Built on terror': FBI crackdown on satanic cult with NZ ties
The DIA says NZ children are 'highly likely' victims of 764's online exploitation.
Concerns grow over police training after graduate flips patrol car
Police are investigating; no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
Police Minister lays down the law and orders new swim test for 149 cop graduates
Two wings of police recruits weren't given a swim test due to a cryptosporidium outbreak.
'No interference': Minister on defensive after police announce audit over fitness test breaches
An audit will review applications over six months for further breaches.
Watch: 'Modern-day cowboy' - More homeowners cry foul over roofing group
Former bachelor star Art Green is the brand ambassador for online platform, Roofbuddy.
Touched mid-air: Student pilot's complaint against trainer mishandled by CAA
Former chief ombudsman Peter Boshier said the CAA botched response to serious disclosures.
'Free to practise their faith': PM downplays MP's ties to sect under FBI investigation
Christopher Luxon isn't aware of Hamish Campbell's ties to the investigated sect.
‘Blatant discrimination’: Six-year-old with Down syndrome faces deportation
Six-year-old Luandre is the only one in the family of four that's been denied a visa.
‘Coral graveyard’: Environmentalists blame deep-sea damage on NZ trawlers
Greenpeace took a vessel equipped with underwater cameras to survey known trawl zones.
Watch: Principal, parents issue warnings over childhood social media use
Michael Morrah spoke to parents who gathered for a seminar about online harm in Cambridge.
NZ’s ‘predator playground’: Snapchat child sex abuse material skyrockets
A 36-year-old has been arrested in New Zealand for posing as an 11-year-old on Snapchat.
Watch: The rise of online cults targeting NZ kids
Investigations under way as NZ police identify victims linked to subgroups of 'The Com'.
‘Petty and extreme’: NZ pool champ suspended, excluded from World Games
The NZ Pool Association cited 'unsportsmanlike behaviour' for suspending the champion.
Auckland family say they ‘can’t survive’ proposed deportation to Tonga
Tina Veaila told the Herald her family 'can’t survive in Tonga'.
Watch – ‘Rallying the greyhound army’: Confidential plan to fight racing ban leaked
The industry will mount a lobbying strategy and consider legal action to save the sport.
Bullying, ‘siege mentality’, staff fears revealed in leaked Government agency review
Civil Aviation Authority hired a consultant to review culture after Herald investigation.
‘Human trafficking’: Auckland-based former dancer claims mistreatment by global company
He described the gruelling training regime as "torture" with irregular pay.
18-year-old facing deportation granted NZ residency after ministerial intervention
Daman Kumar was initially told he'd have to leave the country or he'd be deported.
‘Wrong side of history’: NZ makes controversial bid for Australia’s orange roughy quota
New Zealand is among 17 nations meeting in Chile to negotiate high seas fishing policy.
‘Bizarre’: Iwi calls out decision to allow superyacht with dirty hull into Hauraki Gulf
The Sea Eagle failed biosecurity standards twice and is undergoing more cleaning today.
‘Highly unusual’: Superyacht with dirty hull allowed in Hauraki Gulf regatta
The Sea Eagle hosted Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown during its Hauraki Gulf trips.
‘No decisions made’: Deportation of NZ-born teen on hold
Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk says he's yet to decide Daman Kumar's fate.
Watch: The best and worst-performing hospital EDs in NZ revealed
Official information reveals the best and worst performing hospital emergency departments.
‘Absolute disgrace’: NZ-born teen’s looming deportation to India draws outrage
Daman Kumar faces deportation to India despite his sister being allowed to remain in NZ.
Law Society president cleared after five months on leave during conduct inquiry
NZ Law Society president Frazer Barton will return to work tomorrow.
Fisheries crackdown: 4000 fishing offences in past year revealed
Commercial fishing breaches hit 863; recreational offences more than 3,000
‘Bodies stacked up like firewood’: Veteran aid worker remembers Boxing Day tsunami
At least a quarter of a million people died 20 years ago.
'Systemic failings': Court rules DoC failed to protect marine species for decades
A High Court judge has ruled DoC acted unlawfully by failing to follow its own laws.
Watch: Kindness or cult? Questions over Chinese meditation group’s inclusion in Santa parades
Chinese spiritual group Falun Dafa participated in Santa parades around the North Island.
Greyhound racing to be banned in NZ over animal welfare concerns
There have been three reviews in recent years highlighting animal welfare concerns.
Hospital bed-block 'worst it's ever been' - ED doctor
Peter Jones works as an emergency department physician and adviser to Health NZ.
CAA tried to keep secret an NZ airports audit revealing susceptibility to terrorism, drug trafficking
The CAA's released details of a security audit after an investigation by the Ombudsman.
Prime Minister comfortable living by new radioactive waste facility
A facility for storing all of the country's radioactive waste has been built in Manawatū.
Watch: Secret radioactive waste facility built; neighbours 'horrified' they weren't told
The Health Ministry argues the facility was built in secret due to 'national security'.
Watch: 'Spineless' – Officials warned Conservation Minister against Hauraki Gulf commercial fishing
Six days after being told it would 'undermine' biodiversity, the Minister approved changes
'Disrespectful': Lawyer criticises PM Luxon's absence during survivors' speeches
Sonja Cooper's worked on state abuse cases since 1995, assisting more than 3500 survivors
'Cloak of secrecy': Aviation leaders accuse CAA of covert restructure
The Herald understands 85-110 positions at the CAA could be disestablished.
'Just rhetoric': Auckland clinics to hike fees as doctors decry funding shortfall
ProCare's CEO says financial pressures on general practice is leading some to take loans.
Watch: Herald investigation reveals illegal $3 cigarettes sold in Auckland dairies
The Herald's Michael Morrah purchased single cigarettes at shops in Auckland's Manurewa
NZ trawler's 'shameful' 37kg coral catch suspends fishing in area until 2026
Nelson-based trawler Tasman Viking pulled up 37kg of coral west of New Zealand.
'He lied': Family say man who killed their son with meth beer tried to cover up crimes
'He knew what was in those cans. He knew.'
Fonterra manager guilty of manslaughter over meth-laced beer death
Aiden Sagala, 21, died after unknowingly drinking contaminated beer.
'100% preventable': Man dies after hospital fall, more than 24-hour wait in ED
Kerry Mason's father Brian Brosnahan died after a 'huge fall' on a hospital ward.
Watch: Crown says manslaughter accused 'not blind' to meth production at Auckland unit
Himatjit Kahlon has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Aiden Sagala.
'It tasted salty': Trial under way into meth-laced Honey Bear beer
Himatjit Kahlon is accused of the manslaughter of Aiden Sagala.
Firearms and fake grenades: Avsec seizes almost 900 banned items monthly
Unions argue that outsourcing security could lower standards and compromise safety.
'Long difficult queues': Govt looking at privatising airport security
The minister has suggested airports and airlines could manage aviation security
'Deep impact': Middlemore Hospital announces changes after man's death in overcrowded ED
Tony Knott collapsed and died in the toilet at Middlemore Hospital's ED waiting room.
Watch: Death in overcrowded ED waiting room – 'Dad fell through the cracks in a broken system'
A coroner's report said the delays Tony Knott faced were 'relevant' to his death.
Defendant pleads guilty in fatal meth-laced beer case after he's caught trying to flee country
The 31-year-old, who has name suppression, admitted the charges.
'Not good': Video shows turtle struggling in oil spill after NZ Navy vessel sinks
The video was filmed by a tour operator who said the situation was 'not good'.
Turmoil at the pool club: Top players banned amid bullying, match-fixing claims
New Zealand's top-ranked female pool players have been banned from country's biggest club.
'Kick in the guts': Acting principal critical of ban on teacher-only days during term
Minister David Seymour says new measures aimed to curb NZ's low school attendance rates.
'Unfair and illegal': GPs lay complaint with Commerce Commission
Doctors say the deals they're forced to sign are bad for all New Zealanders.
Hundreds of anglers busted fishing inside marine reserves
Official information reveals which areas around the country have become poaching hotspots.
Civil Aviation Authority orders independent review into workplace culture
Independent consultant hired after insiders raised concerns with Herald.
'Concept of family doctors in NZ is dead': GPs warn of primary care collapse
Doctors liken Herald footage of people queuing for care as 'Third World'.
'Heartbreaking': Patients queue in cold from 6am to see doctor
Patients said they sometimes waited five hours to see a doctor.
Porn, self-harm content accessed on primary school iPads
Two online safety researchers ran experiments at six Auckland primary schools.
'Tone deaf': CAA director's email leaked after toxic workplace culture claims
Email sent to staff after whistleblower allegations has been leaked to the Herald.
'Take these issues seriously': Minister to meet aviation boss over 'toxic' workplace claims
Simeon Brown said the whistleblowers' allegations are concerning.
Pilots say CAA whistleblower allegations are 'serious' and warrant investigation
President of pilots' association says whistleblower allegations are 'serious'.
Watch: 'More people will die' - CAA whistleblowers warn of more aviation accidents in NZ
Staff have also accused senior leaders of bullying and intimidation.
'I hope no one dies': Meth beer victim's sister's warning after toxic lollies discovered
Angela Sagala called those who imported the lollies "careless and reckless".
Police push to outlaw 3D-printed gun blueprints amid crime surge
Police also want 'starter guns' and 'gel blasters' banned fearing they can be converted
Polkinghorne trial: What ESR scientist found in Remuera home where Pauline Hanna died
The jury of three men and nine women expects to hear from 62 witnesses in total.
Watch: Recap of week one of the Philip Polkinghorne murder trial
The jury of three men and nine women expects to hear from 62 witnesses in total.
'It's taken a toll on me': Church group boss resigns amid abuse inquiry fallout
Presbyterian Support Otago CEO Jo O'Neill's final day in the role is next Friday.
'We're not prepared': Customs warns drug, gang, corruption threats growing
Organised crime groups using new technology 'faster than law enforcement agencies'.
Abuse in care revelations: Law Society president on leave after complaints laid
The Law Society confirmed he had taken leave 'while any complaints are addressed'.
Exclusive: Second complaint made against Law Society president over advice to church
The Herald can reveal NZ Law Society president Frazer Burton is facing a second complaint.
Complaint against NZ Law Society president after church group advised it could destroy children's records
A staff member at Presbyterian Support Otago decided the records were “too much of a risk"