Mike Thorpe
Senior journalist
Mike Thorpe is a senior multimedia journalist for the Herald, based in Christchurch.
Mike has been a broadcast journalist across television and radio for 20 years and joined the Herald in August 2024. You can contact Mike at mike.thorpe@nzme.co.nz.
Check out Mike’s latest content
Inside Christchurch's long-overdue new $500m indoor sports facility
The project is a decade late and nearly triple the original budget.
‘The lost boys’: How to stop our young men falling behind at school
A collaboration of boys' schools aims to improve outcomes for young men.
On the bus: Behind the scenes of NZ’s greatest schoolboy rugby grudge match
The Christ's v CBHS game featured the highest score in the fixture's 133-year history.
On The Up: From foster care to own boss - how a teen mum defied the odds
At 36, Alicia McKay is an internationally successful consultant, author and speaker.
The little Kiwi girl who has beaten cancer – twice
Indi was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Ewing sarcoma in 2019.
First XV rugby shake-up: South Island boys' schools plot breakaway competition
Co-ed schools like St Andrew's College and Rangiora High are excluded from the proposal.
How Christchurch's new stadium is redefining event hospitality
Interest submissions for the stadium's offerings closed Friday and were ‘oversubscribed’.
ZZ Top stirs Christchurch as fans battle for front row
ZZ Top and George Thorogood kick off a three-leg New Zealand tour in Christchurch.
Born to be bad: George Thorogood on black influence, white critics and singing the blues
Mike Thorpe speaks to the music legend and his 50-year career ahead of his NZ gigs.
Police goal of 500 extra officers by November unlikely
A new police campus in Albany will start training recruits on June 30.
'Nothing was going to stop me': Pioneer who built ski resort from scratch sells up
Peter Foote started building Mt Dobson Ski Area with a $2000 bulldozer.
Third venomous snake washes up: How storms are driving sea snakes to NZ shores
The snake was dead when it was discovered.
First XV rankings: Will there be a shift in the southern power balance?
Some unlikely names are looking to upset the usual big names. Mike Thorpe reports.
Slip drama: Front of new property collapses in heavy rain, residents flee
The slip blocked Cressy Terrace, making it impassable for vehicles.
On The Up: Christchurch builders rally to support St John with charity house project
Around 30 companies are supporting the charity project.
Aerial photos reveal extent of Selwyn flooding as state of emergency continues
Christchurch Airport recorded over 80mm of rain in 24 hours.
Richie McCaw stand? Debate over who will be honoured at new stadium
Naming rights for stands at the new Christchurch covered stadium are still available.
'It's game on': Wild storm brings first big snow dump of the season
Porters Lodge reported 20cm of snow, with snow play likely this weekend.
'Never seen it this bad': Town's flood fears as residents sandbag homes
Nick Reid’s property is under immediate threat from the floodwaters.
Venomous sea snake killed after dog attack at Auckland beach
The snake was likely blown ashore by strong winds and needing rest.
Are tourists spoiling this iconic Kiwi landscape, or are angry locals the 'fun police'?
Shellie Evans was shocked by what she found at the tourism hotspot.
Warriors' win over Knights serves as rugby league's farewell to Showgrounds
From next year, the Warriors will play at Te Kaha, with their visits extended until 2028.
‘Why is it not Mission Bay?’: The rise, fall, and hopeful revival of an enigmatic beachside suburb
Mike Thorpe explores the past and present of New Brighton.
What South Island's first 110km/h zone means for commuters
The speed limit applies to a 17.7km stretch from Curletts Road to Weedons Road.
The surprising pathway for promising NZ female athletes into top US colleges
Volleyball is the second biggest sport among secondary students in NZ.
Watch: Timelapse video reveals NZ’s tallest mural on side of building
Jacob Yikes used 250 litres of paint and 200 spray cans for the 55m mural.
Booming: NZ v Oz over-70s cricket ‘test match’ showcases golden oldies sport
Mike Thorpe went along to watch the experienced players at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Maadi Regatta power rankings: Who will claim school rowing’s biggest prize?
The Maadi Cup is the pinnacle of secondary school rowing and an icon of NZ college sport.
‘Super stoked’: Sadowski-Synnott claims record third world title
The Kiwi snowboarder has won her third slopestyle world title in Corvatsch, Switzerland.
'Finally have him home’: Family farewell soldier who fell in Ukraine
Dominic Abelen was laid to rest near Christchurch, two years after his death in Ukraine.
‘He was holding off the Russians’: Heroic final deeds of NZ soldier killed in Ukraine revealed
Dominic Abelen, killed in 2022, will finally be laid to rest in Christchurch tomorrow.
‘He’s hurting’: Five-try hero benched as Crusaders make tough calls for big Blues match
Crusaders chasing their first away win in over 600 days against the Blues at Eden Park.
How the Crusaders are keeping pace with Super Rugby’s faster game
Ball-in-play time often exceeds 40 minutes, increasing fatigue and scoring opportunities.
‘Not here’: Is this town the nimby capital of NZ?
They have fought off windfarms and airports, and now they're against a gold mine.
‘We make it work’: Inside the lives of a professional sports couple
The couple manage a long-distance relationship while both playing pro rugby.
Horse medicine for humans? NZ breakthrough could revolutionise wound treatment
Gel could help diabetics, the elderly and burns patients heal a lot quicker.
‘Is that Ticketek?’: Christchurch woman receives 7-8 wrong number calls per day
Incorrect Google Maps number directs daily Ticketek customer queries to frustrated woman.
‘The signing of the year’: Reinvention of James O’Connor
James O'Connor has much to offer the Crusaders - both on the field and off it.
‘Dog fight’: How NRL schoolboy ban can help NZ rugby keep young stars
The race to sign young talent takes a twist. Mike Thorpe reports.
All Blacks hooker the latest Crusader sidelined for 2025
The Crusaders' injury list takes another turn for the worse.
Christchurch teenage couple buy their first house - aged 19
The youngsters have saved their way onto the property ladder.
‘Look up and play’: New freedom for Crusaders could win fans – and games
New attack coach keen to unleash his strike weapons as season opener nears.
What does $56k-a-year get you? Inside NZ’s most expensive private school
Mike Thorpe gets a tour of Christ's College ahead of 175th anniversary events.
‘I hate to see old pubs closed down’: The publican with the golden touch
Nick Inkster saves old buildings and turns struggling pubs around.
Crusaders v Blues: How a tiny country town embraced rugby’s biggest stars
A capacity crowd watched the hometown Crusaders go down to the Blues in Kirwee.
New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian calls time on career
Eleven-time gold medallist, Dame Sophie Pascoe reveals she won't swim competitively again.
Child, parent ‘grabbed’ outside Christchurch early learning centre
Man to appear in court accused of grabbing a child and parent.
‘Couldn’t see how nobody had been killed’: Holidaymakers shaken after tree hits campervan
Large tree fell during wild storm last night.
Tiny town’s biggest sporting day in 120 years as it hosts Super Rugby’s greatest rivalry
Tiny Canterbury town of Kirwee counts down to kickoff between the Crusaders and Blues.
Review: Cold Chisel scorch at ‘Boomerpalooza’
Ageless pub rockers show they've still got it.
‘They let off a big roar!’ Crusaders confirm new captain
David Havili will captain the Crusaders in 2025, replacing Scott Barrett.
Confirmed - David Havili to lead Crusaders in 2025
The Crusaders will break with tradition this season, naming a back as captain.
Revealed: Crusaders to announce new captain
Scott Barrett's replacement will be announced on Wednesday.
‘Good money, no questions asked’: A rock star’s 45-year quest for a ‘priceless’ guitar
Iva Davies is prepared to pay 'proper money' for the return of his prized Gibson guitar.
‘Let’s go and see a band’: The lost art of pub rock
50 years of pub rock and the icons keeping it alive.
‘I’m coming over': Mum’s horror as Kmart walkie-talkies invaded by creepy sex chat
Mother-of-two locks doors and calls cops after hearing sexual messages from toy.
The Kiwi BBQ revolution, we're out of gas – but the fire desire is still strong
American-style barbecue is rapidly gaining popularity in New Zealand, but why?
Pet food magnate speaks on luring V8 Supercars to the South Island
If approved, 2026 will see two Supercars events in NZ for the first time.
South Island sport's winners (and losers) for 2024
Olympic champ Ellesse Andrews and the St Thomas of Canterbury College First XIII feature.
Anatomy of a season: Following in the footsteps of Razor
Crusaders coach Rob Penney on a failed first campaign – and why 2025 will be different.
Is the Basin Reserve still the home of NZ cricket?
Mike Thorpe examines its major contender.
Former Crusader involved in fatal charity boxing bout addresses widow in inquest
The inquest into the 2018 charity boxing death of Kain Parsons has begun in Christchurch.
'I was hoping he’d get up': Trainer speaks at inquest into charity boxer's death
Early into fight, it was clear Kain Parsons' opponent had more power, inquest hears.
'I asked him not to participate': Inquest into shock charity boxing death
Kain Parsons died after injuries sustained in the ring in 2018.
'What have I done to deserve this?' Richlister opens up on being born into money
Tracy Gough was born into money - and made a lot more. And he says you can too.
Best of Premium Sport: North v South - NZ's top sporting schools revealed
Which island holds the balance of power in secondary school sports? Mike Thorpe reports.
The runner, the cancer, and the big, warm house that love built
Serial survivor Josh Komen on the big, warm house that saved his life.
The grounds, people, beer: Barmy Army warms up for England v NZ test series
England supporters out to enjoy the grounds, the people, the beer.
What about the horses? Racing organisers jockey for the punters' dollar
South Island sports wrap: Cup Week, 2000 play Pasifika league-fest, a cricketing dynasty.
McSpicy! Battle royale over plans for town's first McDonald's
The plan to bring McDonald's to Wānaka could be decided soon.
Ground zero: High-flying Black Caps prepare for England and Bazball
Hagley Oval has a new head groundsman ahead of the first test of the summer.
Trainer's dream comes true with New Zealand Cup start
Greg Manson has been thinking about a New Zealand Cup start since he was a boy.
Fears NZ could become 'global guinea pig' if new GE reforms pass
Critics of proposed GE reforms say it threatens NZ's agriculture industry.
Young guns: The Black Caps' next generation of stars
The next wave of talent is ready to stake a claim for a Black Cap.
The accidental Kiwi gardener and the rare flower that blooms once in a lifetime
Planted 40 years ago by a young gardener, a rare flower has finally bloomed.
'The firm’: NZ’s last great department store and its 170 years of retail success
How has New Zealand's oldest department store outlasted its competitors? One word: family.
First King’s Colours since before World War II presented to New Zealand Defence Force
900 hours of embroidery in new NZDF ensign.
'Heroes up close': Lessons the All Blacks could learn from the Kiwis
International rugby league hit Christchurch and left nobody disappointed.
James Fisher-Harris – the Kiwis enforcer and leader
An insight into the New Zealand rugby league leader they call 'Fish'.
'The barbecue savant': Inside the world of New Zealand's competitive BBQ circuit
Competitive BBQ is surging in popularity in NZ - and we already have a world champ.