Natalie Akoorie is a senior reporter based in Waikato reporting crime and justice issues nationally.
Natalie first joined the Herald in 2011 and has been a journalist in New Zealand and overseas for 28 years, more recently covering health, social issues, local government, and the regions. She began her career at the Waitomo News in 1995 having graduated from a two-year Diploma of Media Arts at the former Waikato Polytechnic. In 1999 she moved to London and worked as chief reporter and deputy news editor at the Hounslow Chronicle and its stable of newspapers, covering the police beat and council. She also freelanced at the Guardian and for a national educational magazine in Cambridge. Natalie has also worked at a business travel magazine in Sydney, the Rodney Times, Whakatāne Beacon, Sunday News, and Waikato Times where she was deputy chief reporter before joining the Herald as a regional reporter in Hamilton in 2011. After a stint as Local Democracy Reporting editor at RNZ in 2021, Natalie returned to the Herald as Open Justice deputy editor in 2022. She has been nominated for several national media awards over the years including Newspaper Story of the Year in 2010 and Reporter of the Year in 2018, and she won a Regional Journalism Scholarship in 2020. In 2023 Natalie was named Runner-Up Regional Journalist of the Year. Natalie has covered a wide range of rounds throughout her 28-year career and has a special interest in the regions, women's health, disability rights, social issues, and in seeking answers for patients in a failing health system. You can contact Natalie at natalie.akoorie@nzme.co.nz.
Student claims teacher sexually abused him for three years
A former student of Pinky Green's has broken his silence on the sexual abuse he suffered.
Who are the victims of unsolved murders in the past 20 years?
The impact of unresolved homicides on families is devastating.
The ultimate betrayal: Woman's shocking find on husband's phone
"This was my husband who had no reason to do this other than to satisfy his own sickness."
Day of violence: Gang members on trial for murder, assault, robbery
Mobsters accused of killing man who wouldn't give them drugs and attacking two others.
Architectural designer struck off building register for two years
The architectural designer was stuck off the Licensed Building Practitioners' register.
'Pig poo': Piggery under investigation over effluent discharge
Waikato Regional Council said the court order was unprecedented for the region.
Convicted architectural designer gets building licence back - and faces fresh complaint
His history of fines, suspensions and cancellations is not listed on the public register.
'Two broken ankles': Victim of inflatable slide collapse to get $10k
TCDC failed to do due diligence on operator with a poor safety record.
Malachi's misery: Oranga Tamariki slated by Ombudsman over inaction
Litany of failures by Oranga Tamariki inaction before death of 5-year-old Malachi Subecz.
'Humiliated, embarrassed, emasculated': The trigger for a murder
Adrian Phillips and Bayden Williams were once friends. Now one is dead, the other jailed.
Mother's anguish over predatory teacher laid bare in letter to PM
The mother expressed concerns about the school's investigation.
Sobs of relief as guilty verdict returned in Kopu murder trial
A jury has found Adrian Phillips guilty of murdering father-of-one Bayden Williams.
Murder accused had no option but to shoot, says defence
Closing submissions from the Crown and defence counsel for Adrian Phillips are under way.
'Made me feel like a man': Accused talked about hurting victim
Adrian Phillips was under cross-examination at the High Court in Hamilton.
Murder accused tells court he feared for his life when he shot and killed old friend
Adrian Phillips has described to a court the moment he shot at a former mate.
'Giant heartbroken baby': Murder accused says he broke down
Adrian Phillips banged his head against the wall to feel better after a serious accident.
'Hurry up and kill me': Accused wanted to die during fire
Adrian Phillips takes the stand in his trial for the murder of Bayden Williams.
'Being nato': Murder accused shot victim three times
Ngātea man Adrian Phillips is accused of murdering Bayden Williams in August 2020.
Podiatrist who deformed patients suspended from surgery but can continue practising
Podiatrist Stefan Edwards is allowed to continue treating patients but not with surgery.
Sexual proposition: Top teacher wanted to beat student by faking a human rights project
A young boy who was propositioned by Pinky Green tried to tell teachers years later.
Top school failed to safeguard students, says complainant; five more come forward
Pinky Green complainant asks for Tauranga Boys' College Board of Trustees to step aside.
Pinky Green's victim: 'I'm shattered. It's breaking my heart, 33 years later'
More men have come forward with complaints about English teacher's sexual propositions.
The teacher, the sexual proposition for money - and a 34-year wait for an apology
Glenn Marshall was 17 when teacher Pinky Green asked him to tie him naked to a chair.
All-boys school latest to apologise for historical incidents
Tauranga Boys' College says a review of historical harassment was not good enough.