Kelly Makiha, a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post, specialises in court and police reporting.
I started work as a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post as an 18 year-old in 1996 and I am still here, loving every single day. I wanted to be a journalist since I was a child and remember making my mum follow the flashing lights of emergency services so I could see what was happening. I started writing for my local newspaper in Timaru when I was a young teen and knew then that this was the job for me. I made the move to the Rotorua Daily Post and it was meant to be a stepping stone but I fell in love with this city, got married and we are now raising our three children here. I have covered all rounds but specialise in court and police reporting and have been chief reporter or assistant editor for most of my career. I am now back doing what I love – writing stories that matter, holding people and organisations to account, celebrating heroes, paying tribute to amazing lost loved ones and using my role to highlight issues to make a difference. Each day I’m honoured to be surrounded by a group of professionals who work hard and believe in what we do.
'We were all feeling it': Emotional tribute to slain teen at league tournament
Kaea's parents received the carved tewhatewha from the Pikiao team.
Former cop's dying regret over 50yo Mona Blades mystery
Mona Blades disappeared while hitch-hiking from Hamilton to Hastings on May 31, 1975.
Kidnap, blackmail, assault: Mobster holds woman hostage in ‘harrowing’ ordeal
Friend feared next time she would see kidnapped woman was 'at her funeral'.
Fatal fight: Jury reaches verdict on logger who claimed self-defence
A jury has reached a verdict in the Nathan Moscrip High Court manslaughter case.
Fatal fight between friends broke out over ‘messages to girlfriend’
Nathan Moscrip, 29, is on trial for the manslaughter of his friend Brodie Ruatara.
Saluting and farewelling Tā Bom - the reluctant war hero
It was a fitting ceremonial farewell that Sir Robert Gillies would have dodged.
'A revered national treasure': Thousands to mourn beloved 'Tā Bom'
The Māori Queen will attend Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies' tangi tomorrow.
'I really miss my dad': How a truck driver's measurement error killed a 'hero' father
'To the man who took my hero, my daddy, away: You have ruined the rest of my years.'
Freedom from secrecy and shame: How a sex abuse victim has transformed her life
'Now I live a life that I thought only existed in movies or books.'
Serial groper breached parole before indecent carpark act
The Parole Board found his excuse for the carpark act 'utterly implausible'.
'Sexual deviancy': Serial groper Jason Trembath jailed again
His lawyer said Trembath was 'wound up' after playing tennis before his latest offending.
Serial groper's latest offence details revealed
More details around what Jason Trembath did have been revealed.
Jailed serial groper admits doing indecent act in store carpark
Jason Trembath appeared in the Rotorua District Court today.
Cooking drunk and high on meth cost 'adored father' his life
Sky Carson adored her father despite his addictions and 'ratbag ways'.
Motel homicide: Police name 30yo man who died
The latest from the police investigating a Taupō homicide.
Woman admits at scene to crossing centreline in crash that killed three people
She was driving to Rotorua from Palmerston North when she crossed the centreline.
Crash details revealed: How a family of seven and a woman were killed
Three adults and five children were killed in the horror crash in April 2019.
Serial groper given 'last chance' and released on parole again
He's been given one final chance after a "steep learning curve".
Tinder use lands serial groper cricketer back behind bars
Jason Trembath has been accused of trying to 'groom' women on Tinder.
From windscreen washer to commercial cleaner: How Bam Bam turned his life around
'They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but I think that's wrong,' his boss says.
Trial set down for truck driver on manslaughter charge
A truck driver has appeared in court facing a manslaughter charge.
Naked man chased by police jumps into lake
A naked man running around Rotorua has sparked a police callout.
Man charged with Hawke's Bay sex offences gets bail in Rotorua
A man has appeared in court today facing two sexual offences but he cannot yet be named.
Fatal crash: Driver pleads not guilty to manslaughter
A truck driver has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to a man dying in a crash.
Taupo to stage IronMaori event
Kelly_Makiha_FEB16.epsRACING: Maori from around the country travel to Hawke's Bay each year to compete in IronMaori. PHOTO/HAWKE'S
'He's scared. He knows what he's done'
The gunman involved in the incident is reportedly willing to surrender if he can have the support of his friends and family with him.