Melissa Nightingale is a Senior Reporter for the Herald, based in the Wellington region.
Melissa began working for NZME in 2013 as a journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle, after completing a Diploma in Journalism and a Bachelor of Communications degree at the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec). Melissa started on the crime, emergency and health rounds and now specialises in court reporting in her role in the capital - though continues to cover all things Wellington and beyond. She is also the host of the NZ Herald podcast The Fifty Year Secret, which uncovered shocking new evidence in one of New Zealand's oldest cold case murders. Melissa is always on the lookout for great news tips and welcomes the occasional cute animal story to break up the flood of crime. She can be emailed at melissa.nightingale@nzme.co.nz or messaged on X (formerly Twitter) @mel_nightingale.
Second person dies after Ōtaki house fire
Investigations are continuing to determine the cause of the blaze.
Man appears in court on murder charge after fatal stabbing at Waikanae Beach
The man's name will remain secret until at least early July.
Fatal combination of drugs caused woman's death
Bella Mulligan was out for a night of celebration with her loved ones when she died.
'She's not coming home alive' missing woman's mum told
A year on from her disappearance, Breanna Muriwai's mum has shared new information.
'Someone out there knows': Breanna Muriwai has been missing for a year
The 22-year-old was last seen on Te Horo Beach on August 28 last year.
'How could you do that to a child?' - Father of abused boy speaks out
The father of the abused boy was "devastated" to hear of the abuse his son suffered.
Man jailed for 'brutally determined' killing of ex-girlfriend
Brian McConachie became "fixated" on his victim after she broke up with him.
Deadly cruise: What did crew members know before NZ man's death?
How can cruise ship passengers take a class action against cruise lines?
'Ripped apart': Covid cruise tragedy - Kiwi husband dies, wife left delirious
Bob James was "always happy" and had travelled all over the world, his son said.
Man charged with murder after woman dies in Paraparaumu
Irina Scantee was killed in Paraparaumu on Saturday night.
Councillor loses appeal on indecent assault
David Scott says he can't afford to appeal the case any further.
Man in court after wild police chase
Manuel Parkinson is accused of punching a woman in the nose and dragging her from her car.
Kāpiti murder accused's name suppression continues
The man was excused from appearing in court this morning.
'Rotten care': Elderly rest home residents dying due to low level of help - union
Reports of man dying after being too scared to report infected wound due to low staffing.
Witnesses to fleeing driver incident sought
Police have arrested a 45-year-old man, but still want to speak to witnesses.
Battle of the macrons for small NZ town
Should Wikipedia use macrons to write Paekākāriki's name? Not all seem to agree.
No such thing as mini pigs at Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary
Otaki's Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary is home to more than 200 animals.
71-year-old guilty of historical rapes
A former Porirua man has been found guilty on rape charges from nearly 60 years ago.
Strike to bring Wellington trains to a halt
Rail workers have been forced into striking to protect hard-won terms, their union says.
$16k spent to bring dog home from Mexico
It's taken $16,000 and more than a year to bring Maggie the dog over from Mexico.