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Cherie Howie
Reporter

Cherie Howie is a reporter with the New Zealand Herald specialising in general news and features.

Cherie Howie has been a reporter at the New Zealand Herald since 2011, starting at the Herald on Sunday and continuing with the NZ Herald daily and the Weekend Herald. She’s from Motueka and studied at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch and Aoraki Polytechnic in Timaru before working in Dunedin, Invercargill, Blenheim and overseas, including stints at the Southland Times and the Marlborough Express. She specialises in general news and features, and is most interested in us - how we live, what makes us tick, our triumphs and challenges and, when they tell us something new, stories from our past. The work Cherie is most proud of was a 6-month project showing that 40 years after the Erebus disaster, 257 dead was not just a number, working with families of almost 150 of those on board flight TE901 to tell the stories of adventurous souls who set off on a big adventure, and never came home. In 2021 she also tracked down the whereabouts, and sometimes dramatic tales of adventure, of the summer Olympic Games’ gold medals Kiwi athletes have brought home since the first, swimmer Malcolm Champion’s as part of the triumphant Australasian freestyle relay team in 1912. Cherie can be contacted at cherie.howie@nzme.co.nz.

Check out Cherie’s latest content
Watch: Thousands gather for Anzac Day Commemorations around NZ
live
Northern Advocate

Watch: Thousands gather for Anzac Day Commemorations around NZ

24 Apr 07:55 PM
'Is this real?': Two Instant Kiwi millionaires crowned 17 min apart
Northern Advocate

'Is this real?': Two Instant Kiwi millionaires crowned 17 min apart

15 Apr 09:51 PM

Husband kept scratchie win secret from wife for two days over fear they hadn't really won.

‘A little bit of everything’: Long-weekend weather a mixed bag for Aucklanders
Northern Advocate

‘A little bit of everything’: Long-weekend weather a mixed bag for Aucklanders

24 Jan 09:49 PM

Heavy rainfall warnings have also been issued in the North and South Islands.

‘A hole in all our lives’: Young, married mum of three killed in crash
Northern Advocate

‘A hole in all our lives’: Young, married mum of three killed in crash

14 Jan 03:57 AM

The hospital nurse who died 'touched the lives of so many' – friend.

Former National Party minister accused of child sex abuse
Northern Advocate

Former National Party minister accused of child sex abuse

14 Sep 04:45 AM

Complainants understood to be boys then aged under 16.

Woman found on beach: Jo Sione-Lauaki victim of foul play, police reveal
Northern Advocate

Woman found on beach: Jo Sione-Lauaki victim of foul play, police reveal

05 Sep 11:02 PM

Mother of eight's body was found on remote Northland coastline on August 2.

‘Like a scene from The Purge’: Residents stunned after multiple businesses violently targeted in overnight burglaries
Northern Advocate

‘Like a scene from The Purge’: Residents stunned after multiple businesses violently targeted in overnight burglaries

31 Aug 04:53 AM

Supermarket, petrol station, liquor store and book shop hit.

‘I didn’t hurt my wife’: Husband denies ‘rumours’ at wake for mum found dead on beach
Northern Advocate

‘I didn’t hurt my wife’: Husband denies ‘rumours’ at wake for mum found dead on beach

07 Aug 05:55 AM

"Because I’m Black Power, they instantly think, ‘Oh, he’s done that'."

‘Help’: Husband believes ‘someone else was involved’ after wife’s final text before unexplained death
Northern Advocate

‘Help’: Husband believes ‘someone else was involved’ after wife’s final text before unexplained death

03 Aug 09:01 AM

"She sent me a text that said, ‘Help’", Jared Sione-Lauaki says of wife Jo's final message

'Merchant of death': Four Kiwis who took their own lives linked to Canadian murder-accused
Northern Advocate

'Merchant of death': Four Kiwis who took their own lives linked to Canadian murder-accused

21 Jul 05:00 PM

Kenneth Law has been charged with 14 counts of first-degree murder in Canada.

Commuter warning ahead of heavy rain, thunderstorms, localised flooding fears
Northern Advocate

Commuter warning ahead of heavy rain, thunderstorms, localised flooding fears

13 Jun 05:31 AM

Local flooding and water pooling are expected, most likely in north and east Auckland.

'Our little princess': All Black's touching social media post after daughter born 13 weeks early
Northern Advocate

'Our little princess': All Black's touching social media post after daughter born 13 weeks early

18 Apr 09:34 PM

'We have a long road ahead,' the rugby star says in a heartfelt post.

‘Does this look like chicken?’ Baby narrowly survives choking incident
Northern Advocate

‘Does this look like chicken?’ Baby narrowly survives choking incident

30 Mar 04:00 PM

Little Lennox Knight was critically ill, and his parents had no idea why.

Four men charged after 'violent' home invasion, car spiked twice in 100km police chase
Northern Advocate

Four men charged after 'violent' home invasion, car spiked twice in 100km police chase

25 Jan 09:21 PM

Neighbour woke up to sounds of ‘shouting and fighting’.

'Seized up and started to drown': Man rescued from water in Far North
Northern Advocate

'Seized up and started to drown': Man rescued from water in Far North

20 Jan 01:24 AM

A man has been given CPR, a police officer at the scene said.

Toddler dies after being hit by car in driveway
Northern Advocate

Toddler dies after being hit by car in driveway

04 Jan 08:06 PM

The toddler was flown to Starship Hospital, but later died.

Watch: Dramatic rescue at sea off Cape Reinga after man injured on ship
Northern Advocate

Watch: Dramatic rescue at sea off Cape Reinga after man injured on ship

08 Dec 09:52 PM

First call for help came when ship was 550km northwest off the coast.

Police investigating 'unexplained' death of baby girl
Northern Advocate

Police investigating 'unexplained' death of baby girl

17 Nov 09:42 PM

The 10-month-old died of asphyxia, police say.

Premium
Against the odds, they managed to buy a first home. Can they hang on?
Northern Advocate

Against the odds, they managed to buy a first home. Can they hang on?

06 Jan 04:00 PM

They laid their dreams of home ownership bare. Eighteen months on, how have they fared?

'Not fit for purpose anymore': Mum battles school over Crocs ban
Northern Advocate

'Not fit for purpose anymore': Mum battles school over Crocs ban

23 Nov 04:00 PM

Mum's battle after school puts foot down on newly fashionable Crocs.

Premium
I used to be a climate change denier, a vaccine sceptic, anti-gay - what changed?
Northern Advocate

I used to be a climate change denier, a vaccine sceptic, anti-gay - what changed?

05 Nov 04:00 PM

They once were climate change or vaccine skeptic, anti-homosexuality or abusive.Now what?

'Just his hair was above the water': Man moments from death when pulled from waves
Northern Advocate

'Just his hair was above the water': Man moments from death when pulled from waves

22 Oct 04:00 PM

Young surf lifesaver sounds warning as summer beach patrols begin in upper north.

Queen's coffin lowered into royal vault; King Charles weeps for mother
Royals

Queen's coffin lowered into royal vault; King Charles weeps for mother

19 Sep 07:02 PM

It's thought billions watched service for the world's second longest-reigning monarch.

'A lifelong devotion to duty': A tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Royals

'A lifelong devotion to duty': A tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

08 Sep 05:54 PM

Queen Elizabeth II has died and her eldest son, Charles, is now the King

Ten deaths, 18,514 new Covid cases, 939 people in hospital
Northern Advocate

Ten deaths, 18,514 new Covid cases, 939 people in hospital

19 Mar 01:45 AM

This takes the death toll of publicly reported Covid-related deaths to 166.

Live: Locals call for lockdown in Northland after positive Covid cases
Northern Advocate

Live: Locals call for lockdown in Northland after positive Covid cases

23 Oct 08:51 PM

National health's spokesperson says there's real concern in the region.

NZ's Delta outbreak turns deadly – Auckland woman dies in hospital
Northern Advocate

NZ's Delta outbreak turns deadly – Auckland woman dies in hospital

04 Sep 05:43 PM

The woman had a number of underlying health conditions, the Ministry of Health says.

Live: 28 locations of interest added as lockdown day 12 begins; 82 new Covid cases with tough week ahead
Northern Advocate

Live: 28 locations of interest added as lockdown day 12 begins; 82 new Covid cases with tough week ahead

28 Aug 05:07 PM

The curve is bending, says one expert, but not fast enough.

Big jump in number of Kiwis keen to get Covid jab: Hipkins
Northern Advocate

Big jump in number of Kiwis keen to get Covid jab: Hipkins

21 May 02:07 AM

And half a million jabs have already been given, too.

Premium
It's you, Aotearoa: Whānau of 5 Million are Our Heroes Award 2020 winners
Northern Advocate

It's you, Aotearoa: Whānau of 5 Million are Our Heroes Award 2020 winners

11 Dec 04:00 PM

We all played our part to stop the spread of Covid-19. These are our stories.

Premium
Ferocious weather first claimed their life raft, and then their yacht. This is how three Kiwi sailors survived
Northern Advocate

Ferocious weather first claimed their life raft, and then their yacht. This is how three Kiwi sailors survived

16 Oct 04:00 PM

Help came from above, and just in time.

Former All Black, Oscar winner in Queen's Birthday Honours list
Northern Advocate

Former All Black, Oscar winner in Queen's Birthday Honours list

31 May 05:00 PM

We have five new dames and knights today, New Zealand.

'Be mindful': Warning to those ditching city for baches ahead of Covid-19 lockdown
Northern Advocate

'Be mindful': Warning to those ditching city for baches ahead of Covid-19 lockdown

25 Mar 03:45 AM

Fears for areas with high number of elderly as people switch city for bach.

Fight to save drowned woman's life: 'He did CPR for half an hour'
Northern Advocate

Fight to save drowned woman's life: 'He did CPR for half an hour'

28 Dec 08:27 AM

Tragedy played out over VHF radio.

Our grim toll: Drowning deaths reach four in three days
Northern Advocate

Our grim toll: Drowning deaths reach four in three days

28 Dec 03:00 AM

The water is incredibly inviting and incredibly unforgiving, water safety boss says.

Shark attack victim: Why I'm going back in the water
Northern Advocate

Shark attack victim: Why I'm going back in the water

12 Oct 04:00 PM

Scars from shark attack not just physical for Northland surfie.

Baby Neve's goody bag: A year in gifts for the first baby
Royals

Baby Neve's goody bag: A year in gifts for the first baby

22 Jun 03:35 AM

The gifts for the country's first baby have come from every corner of the globe.

Premium
Miracle recovery for boy who lost half his family
Northern Advocate

Miracle recovery for boy who lost half his family

08 Jun 05:00 PM

Wee fighter tells his dad "I love you" after crash that killed his mum and sister.

'That's my team in there': Bar owner runs into danger
Northern Advocate

'That's my team in there': Bar owner runs into danger

20 Apr 07:30 AM

Patrons had wrestled a loaded gun from a man just before Harmeet Batra arrived.

Grieving father who lost half his family admits previously drink driving
Northern Advocate

Grieving father who lost half his family admits previously drink driving

19 Apr 05:00 PM

He could've once been the driver who hurt others, says dad who lost half his family.

Crash dad's plea: 'I don't want to see broken families like mine'
Northern Advocate

Crash dad's plea: 'I don't want to see broken families like mine'

05 Apr 04:00 PM

Baby Te Tairawhiti's first words after the crash that killed his mum were: 'Mum and Dad'.

In Lisa's footsteps: Parents retrace daughter's journey
Northern Advocate

In Lisa's footsteps: Parents retrace daughter's journey

30 Mar 04:00 PM

Before Lisa Clark died aged 40, she told her dad: 'I don't want to be forgotten'.

For reel: Hone Harawira and Don Brash plan fishing trip
Northern Advocate

For reel: Hone Harawira and Don Brash plan fishing trip

23 Mar 04:00 PM

Hopefully the only ones in the water on the unlikely outing remain the fish.

Spectacular thunderstorm: 27,000 lightning strikes hit North Island
Northern Advocate

Spectacular thunderstorm: 27,000 lightning strikes hit North Island

14 Dec 07:32 PM

Rain totalling 50mm fell in an Auckland suburb in two hours, and others are without power.

The family wiped out by 1918 flu epidemic
Northern Advocate

The family wiped out by 1918 flu epidemic

30 Sep 01:27 AM

Even the isolation of the Waitākere bush was no protection from the deadly pandemic.

Move over Millennials – here comes Gen Z
Northern Advocate

Move over Millennials – here comes Gen Z

22 Jul 04:20 AM

They're ambitious and confident, but also financially literate and realistic.

Flood watch as king tides meet big swells
Northern Advocate

Flood watch as king tides meet big swells

14 Jul 05:00 PM

Roads could be affected a low pressure system brings wind and rain to the North Island.

Kiwi chef Al Brown remembers Anthony Bourdain's visit to NZ
Northern Advocate

Kiwi chef Al Brown remembers Anthony Bourdain's visit to NZ

08 Jun 08:35 PM

The superstar chef's visit to New Zealand included one very dramatic moment.

Grieving mum's New Year's plea
Northern Advocate

Grieving mum's New Year's plea

30 Dec 04:00 PM

Cem Erbay went out on New Year's Eve, and never came home.

'I'm just so thankful': Couch stranger's mum
Northern Advocate

'I'm just so thankful': Couch stranger's mum

30 Dec 06:25 AM

A relieved mum is among those whose hearts were touched by a Mangawhai man's kindness.

Man finds stranger on couch, lets him sleep
Northern Advocate

Man finds stranger on couch, lets him sleep

30 Dec 02:06 AM

Gordon Pryor woke to a Goldilocks moment this morning, but he didn't call police.

Sweet summer's day for most
Northern Advocate

Sweet summer's day for most

08 Dec 06:33 PM

To be continued ... summer.

Wet weekend: Rain, rain and more rain everywhere
Northern Advocate

Wet weekend: Rain, rain and more rain everywhere

30 Jun 09:01 PM

The weather gods are not shining on New Zealand this weekend.

Man of steel: How did he survive being dragged behind ute?
Northern Advocate

Man of steel: How did he survive being dragged behind ute?

20 Jun 05:36 AM

Boss Pomare was run over by a ute and dragged 100 metres. This is his story of survival.

Kiwi survives horror dragging behind ute
Northern Advocate

Kiwi survives horror dragging behind ute

17 May 05:13 AM

After a miracle on McGregor Rd, Boss Pomare's kids are planning his wedding to their mum.

Beachgoing mates turn rescuers
Northern Advocate

Beachgoing mates turn rescuers

11 Oct 04:00 PM

A kitesurfer has cheated possible death after becoming tangled in his kite lines at Muriwai Beach.

Arrest after shop, police car smashed
Northern Advocate

Arrest after shop, police car smashed

21 Sep 08:33 PM

A police car and a motorcycle shop have been smashed up in a dramatic ram raid and pursuit in Dargaville this morning.

Air NZ waive fees for terminal teen
Northern Advocate

Air NZ waive fees for terminal teen

03 Sep 07:31 PM

Terminally ill Kaitaia teen Georgia Buckingham is off to Sydney this week, and Air New Zealand has a surprise in store for her.

'The doctor in the bikini' who saved girl
Northern Advocate

'The doctor in the bikini' who saved girl

29 Mar 04:00 PM

WATCH: Nerolie Curran does not use the word hero to describe the woman who saved her daughter's life. It's not enough.

Wild weather causes flooding
Northern Advocate

Wild weather causes flooding

17 Feb 02:45 AM

Westland was in civil defence mode this morning as heavy rain continued to batter the district.

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