Raphael Franks is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on breaking news, crime, transport and human interest stories.
Raphael hails from Christchurch but made Auckland his home in 2022. While attending Christchurch Boys’ High School from 2014 to 2018, he worked in Coca-Cola Amatil’s bottling plant; and while studying geography at the University of Canterbury, he worked in retail. Marking a total reversal in career ambitions, Raphael was offered the opportunity to join the Te Rito Journalism Cadetship programme in 2022, funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund. Through this, he got experience working in some of the country’s largest newsrooms and some of the country’s smallest. He began working for the Herald in the same year. During this time, Raphael has covered the Auckland Anniversary Floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, two different shootings on Queen St and another on Ponsonby Rd, the closure of Newshub, the slimming down of TVNZ, and other major news events of the day. You can contact Mr Franks on 027 436 5668 or at raphael.franks@nzme.co.nz.
Heavy rain, 100km/h winds: Severe storm approaching NZ upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Tam
'It will bring significant weather to the upper North Island late Wednesday to Thursday.'
Storm hits: Power cuts, road closures as rivers rise in Northland
Severe weather watches and warnings are in force.
‘Extreme care’: Thunderstorms, downpours bear down on Nth Island, wind warnings for harbour bridge
Civil Defence has warned people to keep watch on the incoming storm due from 3pm today.
19hr deluge: Thunderstorms, gales prompt warnings
Civil Defence has warned people to keep watch on the incoming storm due from 3pm today.
South Dunedin residents ‘encouraged’ to self-evacuate as flood waters rise
'Risk of flooding, slips are high. Follow the advice of local authorities' - MetService
‘Exceptional situation’: Dunedin residents warned of overnight downpour, asked to stay home
'Risk of flooding, slips are high. Follow the advice of local authorities' - MetService
Man charged after fatal shooting of Tolaga Bay father-of-three on hunting trip
The Tolaga Bay man was described as 'the ultimate hunter-gatherer'.
Body found in search for missing Gisborne 5-year-old boy
The extensive search started Sunday afternoon.
'Community in mourning': Three bodies found in search for missing fishermen
A police spokesperson said formal identification is ongoing.
Gisborne brawl deaths: Complex investigation continues with focus on being 'methodical'
Kane Te Paa and Chrysler Stevens-Mark died after a 100-person brawl on March 23.