Neil Reid is a Hawke’s Bay-based senior reporter for the New Zealand Herald who has covered some of the country's biggest news and sporting events since 1992.
Since graduating with a Diploma in Journalism in 1991, Neil Reid has spent the past three decades on the frontline of the New Zealand media landscape. During that time, he has been a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery – covering several elections – and a raft of live news events including the Raurimu massacre, the fatal Ansett Flight 703 on the outskirts of Palmerston North, the White Island disaster and more recently the deadly Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay. His reporting has also taken him overseas to cover news events, including the 2009 MV Princess Ashika ferry sinking in Tonga which claimed 74 lives. Neil has a huge interest in sport, and as a full-time sports reporter and editor travelled to and covered three Rugby World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2011), two Olympic Games (2000 in Sydney and 2004 in Athens), the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, was ringside at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay for David Tua’s 2000 world heavyweight boxing title fight against Lennox Lewis, and has also covered numerous All Blacks, Kiwis and Black Caps tours. Based in Napier since January 2022, he covers a wide range of news and sport; the latter including a passion for the East Coast rugby team and Napier City Rovers football side. Away from daily reporting, he has also written three books; including ghostwriting former Black Caps star Craig McMillan’s 2009 autobiography, Out of the Park. Neil can be contacted neil.reid@nzme.co.nz. You can follow him on Twitter at @NeilReidnz.
Big venues, big money: The young golf champ hitting the Australian PGA tour
Memory of late father will spur on young Kiwi golfer as he chases his professional dream.
On The Up: Father-son Chatham Cup magic remembered as crunch knockout match looms
Meet the younger member of a special Chatham Cup family dynasty.
On The Up: Inside the provincial football team beating big city clubs
Football success has come without dollars and big egos at Napier City Rovers.
'Heart of gold': Super Rugby star's moving tribute to slain teen
Heartbroken family member of homicide victim says rugby hero's gesture was special.
Rep cricketer emailed club to play social footy, becomes National League sensation
Meet the footballer who smashed Beauden Barrett's Bronco fitness test record.
'Do the right thing': Mother's plea for justice in son's stabbing
Heartbreak continues for Kaea Karauria's family as teen's killer remains free.
How a mini-stroke couldn't stop Emerson's football journey at Napier City Rovers
No question of Cameron Emerson’s courage and commitment in hitting a 100-game milestone.
Napier homicide: Gang connection rumours 'damaging' and untrue - police
Teen homicide victim Kaea Karauria will be laid to rest next to his beloved Papa.
'Any info': Father's plea for help in son's stabbing case
Grieving high school students urged to talk about their sorrow after teen's death.
'Ruthless Environment': Cut from pro club in the UK – how New Zealand gave English footballer a second shot
How shift from UK is helping Mason Johnson as a footballer and a person.
'Can’t imagine the pain': Napier teen's death shakes community
'Parents should never have to bury their children. It is just so sad.'
'Off the scale' drug supply fuelling gang clashes in the regions
Homes shot at, cars rammed, drug busts during two months of gang tension.
‘More to come’: Testing start to 2025 as Napier City Rovers chase National League dream
Napier City Rovers aim for consistent wins to secure a top-four finish.
How Napier City Rovers rebounded with a dominant win on the road
Napier City Rovers seek successive wins on the road in Wellington.
Why Napier City Rovers' next match is critical for National League hopes
Frustration after Napier City Rovers fail to put away Central League strugglers.
On the Up: Footballer on citizenship and career milestones
Stephen Hoyle's footballing career has gone full circle in New Zealand.
Operation Sphinx: How undercover officers cracked the Ariki Rigby gang-related murder
Top cop: 'I was always confident that we were going to get Mr Heremaia.'
Killed over a T-shirt: Gang member to be sentenced for hammer murder of teen
Heremaia killed the 18-year-old with two hammer blows to the head in 2022
Ariki Rigby’s killer under protective custody after jailhouse ‘hit’ put out on him
Ariki Rigby's murderer says inmates make serious threats of physical violence towards him.
Captain Fantastic: How Jim Hoyle became a Napier City Rovers legend
The team remain unbeaten as the captain reaches a massive milestone.
'Nice little rush': Napier City Rovers' UK goalie on the thrill of a save
English goalkeeper Harry Townsend is making himself feel at home in Napier.
Why Napier City Rovers are eager to build on last season's success
It's time for the team of 2025 to write their own chapter in Napier City Rovers history.
Young Rover eyes American scholarship and becoming pro footballer
He joined the club at 6 and values it as his boyhood team.
Wedding bells and pre-season slog for Napier City Rovers captain
Summer's been all about wedding bells and hard graft in training for inspirational leader.
‘Scared out of his mind’: How mercy dash yachtie tried to save Peter Beckett’s life
Englishman rushed to help ex-Napier councillor after his own near-death in Guatemala.
‘Borrowed time’: Peter Beckett’s final days in Central America
Former Napier councillor sick for 'some time' – mercy dash details revealed.
Cleared of killing his wife, ‘outcast’ Peter Beckett dies in Central America
Man who knew Peter Beckett in Central America says he was a "bit of an outcast".
Cyclone Gabrielle tragedy: The questions the probe into 14 deaths wants to answer
Two years ago Cyclone Gabrielle brought death and destruction.
From MP to wellness guru: Anna Lorck’s radical new life
Lorck says her new life is a "contrast from the life that I was leading”.
Watch: Triumphs, tears and tenacity – a year inside leading Kiwi football team
Watch: The Herald spent a year in camp with a top NZ football club – catch all the drama.
From charity to defeating champions: Napier City Rovers beat title holders 3-2
First they delivered presents at Ronald McDonald House - then they delivered on the pitch.
Table-topping Napier City Rovers fizzing for National League run home
Napier City Rovers' hopes of making the National League final are in their own hands.
Napier City Rovers' sights on National League glory
With three rounds to go, team remain in the hunt for grand final spot.
Brothers in arms: The footballing siblings who live, play and also got red-carded together
Blues Brothers: Ethan Richards on his on- and off-pitch relationship with brother Kieran.
Rovers united: Bonding on and off the field
'Super-tight' team spirit includes eight footballers living in the same complex.
Controversial call and finishing cost Napier City Rovers top spot
Watch: Match officials called 'really poor' - penalty not given after striker cut down.
The values driving Napier City Rovers up the National League ladder
Talent isn’t always enough to succeed in high-pressure situations.
Best of the Bay: What Napier residents love the most – and the least – about the ‘Art Deco Capital’
Napier mayor welcomes public feedback - the main gripes will be listened to.
How Hawke’s Bay rugby has defied the New Zealand sporting credit crunch
Inside the proud provincial rugby union defying player drain and credit crunch trends.
Hawke’s Bay residents set to have say on public transport reforms amid ‘clear decline’
There are multiple reasons for a public transport drop-off; plans to reboot the system.
Millions of cubic metres of silt cleared from Cyclone Gabrielle hammered sites
An award-winning silt taskforce nears major a milestone in cyclone-hit Hawke's Bay.
Magpies swap rugby boots for gumboots to help Hawke’s Bay community
Rugby stars give back to the community that supports them so much.
Leaders work towards ensuring region 'fit' to handle projected expansion
The region's population will grow – housing, roading and infrastructure are the priority.
Napier City Rovers aim high after rampant first-up National League win
Stunning start backs up Napier City Rovers' hopes of doing well in the National League.
How Covid-19 derailed NZ football golden boot contender’s pro trial in Denmark
Footballer Oscar Faulds travelled around the world to trial for a pro deal. Now he's back.
Enforcement and education: Officials' message in the wake of sobering fatal crash statistics
Transport report reveals 'large proportion' of fatal and serious crashes in 50km/h areas.
'Major deficiencies': Almost half of Hawke's Bay highways get a two-star rating
A State Highway described as a 'goat track' is among the routes needing urgent funding.
‘Poorly maintained’ CBD buildings in the sights of Wairoa council
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little: 'People want their main street to look good.'
Napier City Rovers set lofty goals ahead of National League
Captain Jim Hoyle opens up on Napier City Rovers' National League qualification and hopes.
Cop's plea to those who know the truth about Ariki Rigby's murder
Hunt for killers of teen who died in 'unfathomable circumstances' enters third year.
Police apologise for mistaking teen's body for sheep as killer still at large
As police continue to hunt for the killers, her family prepare a special memorial event.
Big Ben’s perfect timing helps Napier City Rovers secure National League spot
Napier City Rovers discover a new hero on the way to qualification.
Ultimate test of character awaits Napier City Rovers in National League hunt
Return to winning ways a must as Napier City Rovers hunt National League football place.
Gisborne community reels after rural pond tragedy claims life of 5-year-old Khyzah
Inside the search for Khyzah and the raw grief which has shaken his family's community.
New Zealand football’s golden boot contender’s golden chance in Europe
Top scorer in New Zealand domestic football head-hunted by professional Danish club.
Rise again: Napier City Rovers out to replace Chatham Cup pain with league joy
Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson: 'The message is to recover and bounce back'.
He feared an injury would end his football career. Now he’s an inspirational leader
Napier City Rovers captain Jim Hoyle opens up on captaincy and commitment.
Triumph and tragedy: Meet the footy fan who takes his mum’s ashes to the game
Mega-fan won't work on match day; a day dedicated to his mum and favourite football team.
150 days on oxygen, 78 nights in hospital - one prem baby's battle against the odds
Ardie Neil was born at 27 weeks and weighed just 1.2kg.
Government told heartland town's 'economic potential' undermined by roads
Council tells Government town's economic potential is "undermined" by roading network.
Inside the rural factory keeping a village afloat, one pair of socks at a time
A woollen goods factory is defying the odds, in the process keeping a Kiwi village going.
Gone in six seconds: Injured footballers on long road back to fitness
A sportsman who suffered a horror knee injury six seconds into a match opens up.
Danish football recruit’s 17,000km journey to New Zealand with victory in mind
New Napier City Rovers goalie opens on up pressure, pain and a desire to be the best.
Olympic effort needed by Napier City Rovers in season opener
National champions first-up Central League opponents for Napier City Rovers.
'What's your legacy?': Emotion-charged challenge from Napier City Rovers legend
Watch: Napier City Rovers' new-look squad's challenge to leave a legacy.
From Napier City Rovers to the Premier League and the World Cup
Napier City Rovers is where it started for Scottish football international Jonathan Gould.
Swedish-born Kiwi footballer's Olympic dream
Silver fern tattoo on Swedish-born footballer highlights Kiwi roots.
'I didn't want to drown': 82yo crocheted for hours in caravan swept away by floodwaters
Laughter has been one of Cyclone Gabrielle survivor's coping strategies a year on
The kind-hearted footballers who ditched the pitch to help Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
When wild weather hit, generous players swapped their football boots for gumboots.
Cyclone Gabrielle: First came the rain, then destruction and death
Cyclone Gabrielle forever changed the lives of many in Hawke's Bay a year ago.
Cyclone Gabrielle miracle: How a massive sinkhole near HB coastline saved lives
Cyclone survival stories continue to come out - including gratitude for a sinkhole.
'How does that happen?' Elderly Cyclone Gabrielle victim's family hunt for answers
Helen Street died in Cyclone Gabrielle - her family want a full inquest into how and why.
'It's a miracle that only 11 died' - Hawke's Bay township remembers Gabrielle
Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed parts of Rissington - but some in the hamlet are rebuilding.
Police hope drone search results help in search for missing dad
Joseph Ahuriri, of Gisborne, vanished at the height of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Ardern, Gayford wake up husband and wife after partying night away; what ex-PM said in speech
Dame Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford exchanged vows in a secret ceremony full of love.
Wedding of the year: Inside Jacinda Ardern's wedding to Clarke Gayford
World-renowned winery set to host wedding of Dame Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford today.
Love, lockdown and livelihood: Kiwi hockey legend's Olympic journey
The Olympics are intertwined strongly throughout hockey star Shea McAleese's life
Goals set for Napier City Rovers after whistle blown on 2023
Squad depth is a work-on for next year as Napier City Rovers sign off on 2023.
Which National League football clubs are pushing young Kiwi talent the most?
Revealed: Which National League clubs give teenage footballers the most and least time.
Football: Family bragging rights up for grabs in National League showdown
Napier City Rovers captain faces brother and brother-in-law in Saturday showdown.