Anna Leask, specialist in crime and justice reporting for the New Zealand Herald, has covered some of New Zealand’s biggest events, incidents, tragedies and disasters.
Anna Leask is a senior journalist and crime and justice specialist for the New Zealand Herald. From a young age, Anna was an avid storyteller and writer so it was no surprise to anyone when she chose journalism as a career. Anna studied Mass Communications and Sociology at Canterbury University before completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism in 2005. This led her to her first job at The Star in Christchurch. She spent two years there covering all things crime and court and then made the move to the Herald on Sunday. In 2010, Anna became a police reporter, a role that soon came to be much more about broader crime and justice issues, particularly the people involved. Anna has covered some of the most high-profile crimes and events New Zealand has seen. To name a few, the Pike River mine disaster; the Christchurch quakes; and the unprecedented four-day sentencing of the gunman responsible for the 2019 terror attack. Alongside her daily reporting Anna writes, hosts and produces monthly episodes for the chart-topping podcast 'A Moment In Crime' which won a silver award in the true crime category at the inaugural New Zealand Podcast Awards in 2021. You can contact Anna at anna.leask@nzme.co.nz.
‘Like a turbine’: Mangawhai couple sheltered in wardrobe as tornado hit
A cordon is in place, and people told to treat downed power lines as live.
'It was so intense': Woman's 'deja vu' during second terrifying tornado
A woman living in Hobsonville during a 2012 tornado said the experience was like deja vu.
Woman asleep in bed sucked out of home, thrown by force of Mangawhai tornado
Emergency crews are responding to Mangawhai after tornado-like winds hit the area.
'My life was a lie': Paedophile teacher's shocking admission
One of New Zealand's worst child sex offenders has been refused parole for a second time.
Tributes flow for 'beautiful' students killed in roadworks crash
The teens have been named as Trinity Vemoa and Corey-Leigh Tobin of Kaitāia College.
Lockdown blunder: Woman at centre of public storm wants 'exceptional apology' from Govt
Woman and her family 'harassed and persecuted by authorities, public' after false claims.
'Disgustingly bullied': Woman who sparked Northland lockdown speaks
It comes after police ruled out charges against her and her travelling companion.
'Our hearts are shattered': Teen who died in Far North holiday crash remembered
"Cool, kind-hearted" teen with a "confident bubbly personality" was farewelled on Sunday.
'I did nothing wrong': Woman at heart of Northland border breach hits out at allegations
Auckland woman at centre of Northland border beach allegations speaks out.
Live: Second Northland traveller tests positive for Covid
First infected Northland traveller has contacts in Northland, Auckland, Wellington.
'I am going home walking': Wedding day helicopter crash survivor takes first steps
She has months of rehab to go, but getting home is a huge milestone for Rachel Jordan.
'Threedom' south of Auckland; police - good compliance at checkpoints, some cars turned away
The latest on New Zealand's Delta outbreak and the fight against Covid-19.
Timaru crash that killed teens one of 13 with five or more victims
The Weekend Herald looks back at the crashes in New Zealand with the highest fatalities.
Wedding helicopter crash: Long recovery ahead for badly injured photographer
Wedding photographer badly injured in a horror helicopter crash moved to Auckland.
Helicopter crash: Photographer in 'visible pain' week after horror plunge
Four people injured in a helicopter crash at a Mid Canterbury wedding remain in hospital.
Wedding helicopter crash: Pilot's 'significant' injuries include broken bones
While the injured lie in hospital their families are supporting each other.
Family of mum and baby killed by repeat drink driver call for stricter laws
More than 50,000 cases in a decade of Kiwis drink driving for at least third time.
Wicked, cruel, pitiless mass murderer jailed indefinitely
The man behind the Christchurch terror attack will never be released from prison.
Cruel, depraved 'monster': Mosque gunman will never be released from jail
Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant will never be released from jail.
Mum who bribed 5yo to be 'sexual plaything' was reported to Oranga Tamariki multiple times
Woman who sexually abused her young daughter was reported to authorities multiple times.
Mum jailed after bribing 5-year-old to be 'sexual plaything' with boyfriend
Mum jailed after bribing 5yo with lollies and chocolate to participate in sex acts.
Coronavirus: Family mourn woman after tragic accident soon after lockdown started
A long serving Far North teacher died at her property a day after the lockdown began.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Confusing stay-home message clarified
Stay home means just that, say authorities as beach & cycling trips ruled out in lockdown.
Rejected: Man who fatally assaulted teen Eli Holtz fails in sentence appeal bid
Man who beat a teen to death at an Auckland CBD intersection fails in appeal bid.
Police censured for tasering boy, 15, after stolen tractor chase
Teen, 15, on stolen tractor was Tasered after leading police on pursuit.
Northland baby homicide: man appears in court
The 5-month-old boy died in Northland.
5-month-old baby dead, charges laid as homicide investigation unfolds
A baby boy has died after an alleged assault in Northland last night.
Toddler murder: New details about stepdad charged with killing 2yo
Ariah Dawn Roberts died at Mangawhai nearly a year ago.
Brutal invasion: Victim had 'no chance' against intruders
A Mangawhai man was badly beaten during a brutal home invasion.
New family violence laws lead to thousands of arrests
New family violence figures reveal one third of investigations are in the Auckland area.
Winter isn't coming New Zealand - it's here, and it's cold, brace yourselves
Temperatures dipped below zero overnight as snow blanketed parts of New Zealand.
The Chase: 'No quick fix' for pursuits and calls for ban on chases
Police Association has welcomed a major review into pursuits.
Police pursuits: Review wants study into why drivers flee
A major review of the police pursuits policy has been released today
The Chase: major review of police pursuits to be released today
A joint review of the police pursuits policy is set to be released today.
Cops investigating their own after allegations of bad behaviour from off-duty officers
Police are investigating the actions of a number of police officers.
The Chase: Son urges drivers not to flee cops
Today the "Herald" launches "The Chase" - a four-day series about police pursuits.
The Chase: 'I'm not at peace' - pursuit death haunts cop
'I thought "Jesus Christ this is my fault, this is my fault, this is really bad".'
Police officer accused of sex attack on fellow cop
A police officer is accused of sexual crimes against a fellow officer.
The manslaughter of Eli Holtz: His whānau's vow
The family of slain teen Eli Holtz speak out after his killer is sentenced.
Man jailed for fatal assault on teen who fired water pistol
The man who fatally assaulted Eli Holtz has been jailed for seven years.
Exclusive: 'Evil' cold-case rape - DNA match nabs attacker
Rapist jailed 15 years after attack after police link him through DNA from second offence.
Woman found dead on Mangawhai beach farewelled
The woman who died at Mangawhai over Christmas has been named.
Eli Holtz family may meet his killer face-to-face
Eli's mother says there are "no winners" in the situation.
Revealed: Teen's killer linked to 2008 liquor store murder
The man who fatally assaulted teen Eli Holtz has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Exclusive: Sex abuser's 50 years of offending against girls
EXLUSIVE: 82yo man jailed for more than 50 years of sexually abusing little girls.
Revealed: The 10 Kiwi crims with the longest prison stints
The Herald can reveal who the longest serving inmates in NZ prisons are.
Budget 2018: $300m boost for police 'commended'
Funding was a key election promise and part of Labour's coalition agreement with NZ First.
Youth justice funding as age increases to 17
The justice system is in crisis and failing children and families, says the Government.
Senior policeman faces sex charges
Heavy suppression orders in place to prevent publication of offending details.
Auckland Airport fuel crisis: 23 flights cut
All travel out of Auckland Airport looks likely to be disrupted for several days.
Eden Park streaker convicted, fined
Eden Park streaker says his nude run during All Blacks test was "sheer stupidity".
Streaker wants public to help him pay fine
The man who streaked at Eden Park on Saturday says his naked jaunt was 'fun'.
Sex abusing dance teacher denied parole
A sex-offending dance teacher has been denied parole for a second time.
'Luxury' hotel for prison guards
Corrections officers are being housed at a five-star waterfront hotel in the Far North while on secondment to cover the region's short staffed prison.
Man killed after leaving family party
The wife of a pedestrian killed in the Far North in the early hours of New Year's Day went to bed thinking he'd gone for a walk.
Man who busted a $500m drugs ring
Mechanic asked to help launch boat says rising unease drove him to involve cops.
More arrests likely in record meth seizure
More people may be arrested as a team of more than 20 detectives continue to investigate a record methamphetamine bust in the Far North.
Man rescued from sinking yacht
A man suffering from severe hypothermia has been rescued off the Northland coast after his yacht foundered on rocks and started sinking.
Armed callout before fatal house fire
Police were negotiating with a man later found dead in a house fire in Northland early this morning after a firearms incident.