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.
'Harder on the younger generation': Will Budget changes push Kiwis overseas?
The public share their thoughts on changes to Best Start, KiwiSaver and student loans.
Govt boosts spending on private schools to support ‘diversity, choice’
It is the first increase in private school funding in 15 years, David Seymour said.
‘Flames as big as a house’: Yachtie plucked to safety as inferno engulfs boat
Rescuers came across the stricken man on a liferaft off the Hawke's Bay coast.
'Slight error with accelerator' results in police car crashing into fence
An alleged dangerous driver hits lamppost, police respond and crash patrol car at scene.
Third victim of triple-fatal motorbike crash named as Luke Shaw, funeral planned
Shaw died alongside Lesley Brooks, 46, and Jacob Coady, 24, in crash on SH1 on Saturday.
Young dad faces raising children alone after 'devoted mother' dies in crash
'My next steps are to honour my wife and raise my children.'
'Whole lives ahead of them': Siblings killed in horror Rotorua crash
'My girl is dancing among heaven’s flowers,' victim's widower says.
Grief-stricken motorcycle community planning final ride for victim of crash that killed three people
Motorcyclist mates determined to give beloved rider the send-off she would have wanted.
'Ride free brother': Second motorcyclist killed in triple fatal 'will never be forgotten'
Three people died in Saturday's crash. Lesley Brooks, 46, was a mum of three.
'Lost something we weren't willing to give up': Rider killed in triple fatal crash a mum of three
Lesley Brooks, 46, was a member of the Road Pirates MC. Cause of crash remains in doubt.
Body found in search for missing Gisborne 5-year-old boy
The extensive search started Sunday afternoon.
Major global IT network outage hits banking services, flights, television, supermarkets
'Officials are working to ensure that impacts on lifelines services are minimised.'
'Community in mourning': Three bodies found in search for missing fishermen
A police spokesperson said formal identification is ongoing.
Thousands join protest at Parliament as Govt unveils Budget
The nationwide protests come ahead of the coalition Government's first Budget at 2pm.
Victims of South Auckland house fire identified, grieving family pay tribute to kapa haka star
A third man remains in hospital.
Two arrests on Auckland motorways as Te Pāti Māori protests disperse
Te Pāti Māori says protests planned today are 'just the start' - taking aim at new Govt.
Court brawl: Chaotic footage as Corrections officer put in hospital, pair charged
Police swarmed the High Court at Napier minutes after the fracas broke out.
New payment for people displaced by floods, Cyclone Gabrielle
The interim, weekly payment will be available from September 4 through MSD.