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.
White-tailed spider bite leaves man in hospital for a month with deadly infection
Andy Stewart pushed on with his motorbike trek despite his growing pain.
Two men charged over brawl that led to gang murder
Two people have been charged over a violent gang brawl that preceded Hori Gage's murder.
'I’m still alive': Passenger of TikTok killer driver nearly paralysed
Zane Bullivant implored the driver to stop just before the fatal crash happened.
Teen smoked '20 bongs’ before killing pedestrian and ‘laughing and videoing’ crash site
She admitted to smoking a large amount of cannabis before the crash.
Two cars seen outside burning house where murdered man lay
Two vehicles were seen on the street where the arson happened.
Gang members 'know what happened' to murdered dad
Hori Gage was killed in retaliation for an incident he wasn't even involved in.
'Joker of the party': Dad-of-three named after body found in 'suspicious' house fire
Dean Kahukiwa “loved his kids and loved everybody", say his family.
Sister, 14, had to break news of siblings' deaths in horrific tanker crash to parents
The teen had to translate news of the deaths to her parents on behalf of police.
Double fatal crash scene 'didn't look real'
One witness says the scene in Shannon this week was difficult to comprehend.
Hori Gage identified as victim of fatal Palmerston North gang shooting
Hori Gage loved his family 'more than anything'.
Watch: Person violently run down by car in Palmerston North gang brawl
The incident happened less than two days before a Mongrel Mob member was fatally shot.
Gang tensions: Daylight shooting follows violent de-patching, police invoke new powers
A Black Power member was de-patched and had his finger cut off, source says.
'Young father' fatally shot in Palmerston North gang-related attack
It's understood there was a related fight at a bar on Friday night.
'Funny, scathing, fearless' poet grieved by friends after body found on beach
Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious.
'Dehumanised': Black American woman's racist abuse caught on video
The woman said the group started making monkey noises at her.
'Gone in five minutes': shop owner devastated after blaze
Barry Daily said business had been booming before the fire hit.
Watch: What it's like to do a drive-through Covid-19 test
Hokowhitu Sciascia filmed himself going through the drive-through test experience.
Kidnapper raped stranger to anger ex-partner
Robert Allen Mair will remain in prison until he is considered safe to release.
Man busted with Isis videos and child porn given community sentence
Twenty-year-old pleaded guilty to possessing objectionable material.
Live: Dawn service marks start of disaster commemorations
People will gather in Eastbourne this morning for a dawn service.
Girl not meant to live past first birthday dies at age 11
"Within minutes my son was calling out 'mum, I think Brennagh's dead'."
Plane forced to return to airport
Passenger says tension in the craft rose after being told the brakes had failed.