Rachel Maher is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news.
Rachel specialises in reporting on crime issues in Auckland, extensively covering the issues of retail ram raids and youth crime. She has also reported on many other topics including social justice issues, politics and entertainment. Rachel grew up in Whangārei before moving to Tāmaki Makaurau in 2018. After a lifelong passion for writing and story-telling, Rachel studied at AUT and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication, majoring in journalism, in 2022. She achieved her dream of becoming a journalist when she joined the Herald in June of the same year as a breaking news reporter. Rachel has quickly established herself as a passionate and well-rounded reporter, covering everything from the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle destruction to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. You can contact Rachel at rachel.maher@nzme.co.nz.
'Blatant violence': Teens face court after Auckland carjacking
The 16 and 17-year-old have been referred to the Youth Court.
Live: Luxon speaks before departing for China
The Prime Minister will meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.
NZ prison numbers projected to spike under tougher crime laws - see the numbers
Prisoner numbers are expected to jump 36% in the next 10 years.
Thunderstorm threat looms over NZ, downpours for the south
A heavy rain watch is in place for North Otago until this evening.
Truck fire closes Auckland's Southwestern Motorway northbound at rush hour
Commuters are being asked to consider an alternative route to work this morning.
Hundreds without power across North Island, road snowfall warnings in South Island
Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency were called to 60 incidents in the upper north.
'Snapshot': Political leaders react to conflicting poll results
One survey said the left could kick the coalition out, while another showed them staying.
'Safe, supported': 200 schools rally for Schools’ Pride Week despite protest fears
Activities include rainbow bracelet making and colourful mufti days.
Body found beside burned-out car at Auckland beach
Police say they are still trying to piece together the circumstances of the death.
Hamilton family 'terrified' as tornado wreaks havoc on homes
A resident on Ranui St claimed she saw a trampoline swirling above a house.
Kiwi top cop's new Australian police chief job at risk after citizenship questions
Victorian Government rushing law change to ensure Mike Bush can stay in new role.
'Pay attention': Shane Jones hints at lower mining royalties in Budget
The Resources Minister says his bill will be the first introduced after today's Budget.
'Lowest point in 23 years': Collins blasts 'lack of civility' in Parliament
She also released more details on the punishment for the Te Pāti Māori MPs.
'Leave it alone': Asbestos warning for Auckland beachgoers
The asbestos pieces, 5-10cm in size, are likely from historical construction waste.
Heavy rain, gales and thunderstorms to lash north, Banks Peninsula state of emergency extended
A bunch of new alerts have been issued as wild weather hits the north tomorrow.
Watch: Smoke fills Auckland shopping centre as fire breaks out in govt offices
Police have cordoned off carpark, and shopkeepers have been told to close their doors.
'She went flying': Blood gushes from schoolgirl's head after bus crash
“One second she was sitting beside me, the next she wasn’t there.”
Driver may have 'fallen asleep' on bus carrying school kids before crash into tree
'There were a lot of walking wounded.'
'You'll see your son in the flowers': Slain student may be awarded posthumous PhD
'The research had been done, he just needed to put it together.'
Watch live: PM speaks with Hosking after landslide Labor win in Australian election
More overseas deployments are likely with the funding boost.
'She went under': Eyewitness account of teen cyclist crushed by truck
The teen survived but suffered multiple fractures and severe injuries.
‘Cops banging on their door’: Neighbour’s sleepless night after Wellington acid attack
The victim suffered burns to an arm and clothing and was treated at the scene.
'Lucky to be alive': Teen pinned under truck on way to new job
The 17-year-old girl suffered multiple skull, spine, and limb fractures.
Cyclist seriously injured in early morning Hamilton crash
Traffic management around the crash scene is currently in place.
'Matter of urgency': Police seek silver Mitsubishi linked to Kyle Whorrall homicide probe
A 16-year-old has been charged with Whorrall's murder and has name suppression.
'Overwhelming grief': Nearly $40k raised to support family of slain US student
A 16-year-old has been charged with Whorrall's murder and has name suppression.
Kyle Whorrall: Murdered in the dark, remembered in the light
American entomology student Kyle Whorral was remembered today in the place where he died.
Bus stop death: Teen's murder charge; father mourns 'kind' son; tearful vigil at scene
A 32yo woman has also arrested.
'Risk of frost': Temperatures to plummet, threat of more heavy rain this weekend
Northland, Auckland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty are in the firing line.
Good Lorde! Kiwi hitmaker's surprise NYC appearance shut down by police
Fans gathered after Lorde's Instagram post, causing a large crowd at 6pm.
Coromandel towns isolated by flooding, more heavy rain forecast as storm rages on
Roads have been submerged, roofs ripped from buildings and ferries and flights cancelled.
'Prepare now': Cyclone Tam brings 130km/h gust, winds forecast to ramp up overnight
Forecasters warn of 120km/h gusts that may close the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
'Strongest since 2017': New Tropical Cyclone Tam warning for strong winds, giant swells
Tam is moving at 35km/h south towards New Zealand.
Watch: New Auckland school among $100m Govt package to ease school rolls pressure
An earlier inquiry found the $30b school property portfolio lacked transparency.
Grieving parents demand tougher penalties for drugged drivers after daughters’ deaths
Ella-Rose Donker and Madi Chamberlain were killed by drivers high on MDMA.
Watch: Wellington bus caught driving into oncoming traffic
As the bus neared a queue of traffic, it crossed the centre line into the path of a car.
The big chill: Kiwis wake to freezing temperatures as cold snap grips the country
Auckland had the highest early morning temperature at just 12C.
Winter arrives early as thick snow falls in the South
The first snowfall of the year makes landfall following a day of wild weather.
Who is Isack Hadjar and why did he just become Liam Lawson’s biggest rival?
The Frenchman finished 8th, outperforming Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda over the weekend.
Australian man has facial surgery after violence at Auckland FC match
A 46-year-old was arrested over the alleged assault.
Emergency on tarmac as ‘mist’ spotted coming from plane about to depart
The Air NZ flight was preparing to leave Auckland Airport when problems struck.
Tropical atmospheric river hits NZ, more than 24 hrs of rain forecast for some regions
Some parts of the Tasman District could get 500mm of rain or more, the council said.
Waimauku road closed, 2 injured, one critical, after head-on crash
Witnesses described the road as 'pretty wet' at the time of the accident.
‘Gut-wrenching’: Kiwi stars rally behind Lawson after F1 demotion
Liam Lawson was demoted to the Racing Bulls team after two grands prix.
‘It’s tough’: Liam Lawson breaks silence after Red Bull demotion
Lawson said in the statement racing for Red Bull was his childhood dream.
‘Always seem to blame the driver’: Red Bull criticised for timing of Lawson’s demotion
Yuki Tsunoda will reportedly replace Lawson for the next race in Japan.
Dire warning as ‘drought buster’ rain in April unlikely, North Island faces more dry months
New data shows rainfall is down by about 75% in many areas.
‘Thugs and idiots’: Mayor says town has had ‘a guts full’ after fatal shooting
Two men, aged 23 and 25, are charged with Doreion Hard's death as mum mourns.
Watch: ‘Could have been much worse‘ – women flee stalled car seconds before train hits
The women clutched each other as the freight train edged closer.
Driver, 22, charged after fatal Auckland crash during alleged police pursuit
A man was killed after the car crashed into him on a busy city street.
‘Our dreams are gone’: Tradie dad is victim of fatal crash involving driver allegedly fleeing police
The man died after a car allegedly fleeing police crashed into him on a busy city street.
'I'm so numb': Fire destroys paraplegic woman's home, dad jumped for his life
Chloe Wigg's dad jumped out a window, saving their dog, but was hospitalised.
‘As dry as it gets’: Auckland latest region placed under total fire ban over wildfire fears
Outdoor fires are now banned across the top of the country.
‘I just feel sick’: Woman who rescued kids off Matamata train tracks feared death ‘inevitable’
A local woman said she had pulled five toddlers off the same stretch of train tracks.
‘Beloved student’ fatally struck by train named
Matamata College has paid tribute to Sarie Morton.
Mayor vows action after girl dies in train tragedy near Matamata College
Police and WorkSafe are making inquiries following the incident.
More Teslas targeted by paint pest, police probe after six cars damaged in one night
Owners believe the attacks are protests against Tesla's CEO Elon Musk.
‘Absolutely gutted’: Electric vehicles targeted with spray paint in Auckland
The incidents come after Molotov cocktails were allegedly thrown at a US Tesla dealership.
‘Justice, peace and comfort’: Tributes for man who died at Ōrere Point
He allegedly bit an officer and threatened others with a metal pole.
‘Devoted’ Kiwi grandfather killed on UK motorway
Cliff Tamou's truck broke down on the M6 before he was struck by another vehicle.
Woman who gave birth on AirNZ plane planned to deliver at Te Matatini
A family member of the mum says she was in labour for 12 hours before boarding.
Officials suspect Chinese warships in Australian waters may be backed by nuclear sub
A small New Zealand naval contingent is shadowing the Chinese navy ships off Tasmania.
3000 charges laid, 76 gang patches seized, 67 firearms under new law
Firearm seizures rose 52% compared to the same period last year.
Behaviour ‘consistent with live fire’: NZ Navy shadowing Chinese warships
Defence Minister Judith Collins criticised China for not informing NZ about the warships.
‘Miracle we’re alive’: Couple wake screaming as car ploughs into house
Walls in the homes crumbled as the car barrelled into two properties.
‘Qualified buyers’ only: The strict sale terms as Polkinghorne’s mansion hits market
The home’s past is acknowledged, but the focus is on its location and design.
Seymour says there was ‘overlap’ during teacher only-day crackdown, no overstep
He stressed teacher-only days need the Minister of Education's approval.
Dog owner’s $700 vet bill after pet eats dead eel at popular Auckland waterfront walk
Officials say the Wattle Downs and Ōrākei Basin incidents are not connected.
'Breaks our heart': Investigation into Piha swimmer's rare death between flags
The swimmer was in a group of seven caught in a rip while swimming between flags.
‘Senseless loss’: Kiwi mum killed in Melbourne in suspected murder-suicide
Rachel McKenna, 35, was found dead at her home in Ascot Vale last Friday.
Luxon hits out at banks' ‘political posturing’, discusses tax cuts
He rejected claims the Govt might pull out of the Paris Agreement.
‘We apologise’: Lunches to arrive late across Auckland schools due to oven glitch
Schools will be reimbursed for buying food due to delayed lunches.
‘Couldn’t see how nobody had been killed’: Holidaymakers shaken after tree hits campervan
Large tree fell during wild storm last night.
‘Alarming’: Police staff investigated for prying on Lyn Fleming’s file
A probe is under way to determine the rationale for and legitimacy of each file check.
Watch: ‘Fatal consequences’ - Youth’s crane stunt 220 metres above Auckland waterfront
A short clip captures a youth performing daredevil antics more than 200m from the ground.
Heavy rain, severe gusts to hit Auckland during rush hour
Strong winds hit Auckland, with gusts reaching 93km/h on the harbour bridge.
Storm hits: Power cuts, road closures as rivers rise in Northland
Severe weather watches and warnings are in force.
Cockroaches, mice, rotting floors and mould - my Auckland flatting horror story
Reporter Rachel Maher lays bare the trials and tribulations of her 10 homes in five years.
Whangārei fire: Home still under threat, firefighting efforts to stretch across three days
The cause of the fire is not yet know but an investigation will take place on Friday.
Christmas Day capsize: Two men found clinging to boat in Fiordland
Photos show the helicopter hovering over the men before they were rescued.