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Derek Cheng
Senior Writer
Wellington, New Zealand

Derek Cheng is a Multimedia Journalist for New Zealand’s Herald. He values holding those in power to account and shining a light on issues kept in the dark.

Journalism is a powerful tool that has allowed me to cover huge stories, from general elections to the Christchurch earthquake to the March 15 terrorist attack to the Covid-19 response. It gives us access to those who make decisions that affect millions of lives, or to pivotal moments where we are tasked to write the first draft of history. The privilege to do so, sometimes, is a daunting one. It's also multi-pronged, and my stories have covered the whole gamut - from scrutinising the Government's decisions to a first-person account of a climbing accident where I had to have my face reconstructed. I've worked for the NZ Herald on and off since graduating with a journalism diploma the end of 2004, but I've also never lost sight of the pursuit of adventure, and have repeatedly left work for indefinite overseas trips to chase mountains and perfectly steamed dumplings. I had my first taste for political journalism in the Helen Clark years, started properly in the press gallery in the John Key years, and have covered Jacinda Ardern's time at the top, including her historic election victory in 2020. Throughout, I've learned the value of holding those in power to account, and shining light into corners that some would prefer to remain under cover of darkness. Never has that been more important than during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Check out Derek’s latest content
You have 5 weeks as clock ticks on max KiwiSaver Govt top-up. And soon you'll need to pay more
Northern Advocate

You have 5 weeks as clock ticks on max KiwiSaver Govt top-up. And soon you'll need to pay more

22 May 04:14 AM
Premium
How does your school rate? Latest NCEA, University Entrance results at every college ranked
Northern Advocate

How does your school rate? Latest NCEA, University Entrance results at every college ranked

01 Dec 04:00 PM

Where does your school rank? Which ones stand out, and why?

Premium
Plastic-wrapped justice: Timely justice hampered by mouldy courtrooms, shortage of judges
Northern Advocate

Plastic-wrapped justice: Timely justice hampered by mouldy courtrooms, shortage of judges

18 Mar 04:33 AM

Which court building needed to be 'wrapped in plastic' due to weather-tight issues?

The biggest concessions Luxon made to get three-party coalition over the line
Northern Advocate

The biggest concessions Luxon made to get three-party coalition over the line

24 Nov 04:53 AM

A $1.2 billion fund, foreign buyer plans scrapped - what Luxon has to compromise on.

'You have reached for hope and you have voted for change': PM-in waiting Luxon says time to turn NZ around
live
Northern Advocate

'You have reached for hope and you have voted for change': PM-in waiting Luxon says time to turn NZ around

14 Oct 11:05 AM

National and Act have the numbers to govern on the night, but NZ First may yet be needed.

Leaders back on the campaign trail after fiery showdown
live
Northern Advocate

Leaders back on the campaign trail after fiery showdown

28 Sep 12:55 AM

16 days to go, Hipkins is visiting Northland and Luxon is in Bay of Plenty.

Chch on edge as PM explains level 2 call; MIQ changes - all you need to know
Northern Advocate

Chch on edge as PM explains level 2 call; MIQ changes - all you need to know

28 Oct 01:15 AM

Christchurch cases have had 'no major exposure events' - Hipkins.

Covid: 74 cases, Waikato alert level eased, Nov 15 school return plan
Northern Advocate

Covid: 74 cases, Waikato alert level eased, Nov 15 school return plan

27 Oct 12:48 AM

Tentative plan for Year 1-8 schoolchildren to return to class on November 15.

New traffic light system, 90% vax target, Aucklanders allowed to travel at Xmas
Northern Advocate

New traffic light system, 90% vax target, Aucklanders allowed to travel at Xmas

21 Oct 11:05 PM

PM says the new framework is about being able to live our lives as safely as possible.

Delta outbreak: 102 Covid cases today, new daily record, hospital numbers hit high
Northern Advocate

Delta outbreak: 102 Covid cases today, new daily record, hospital numbers hit high

21 Oct 12:30 AM

So far the health system is coping, but it is making plans in case numbers surge.

Daily record 94 Covid cases - PM blames level 3 rule-breakers
Northern Advocate

Daily record 94 Covid cases - PM blames level 3 rule-breakers

19 Oct 12:50 AM

PM says people failing to follow level 3 rules feature in today's record case number.

Live: PM's advice to Aucklanders on Xmas travel; vaccination targets to be revealed
Northern Advocate

Live: PM's advice to Aucklanders on Xmas travel; vaccination targets to be revealed

18 Oct 08:30 PM

Vaccine targets on Friday to move to the new normal will aim at leaving no groups behind.

Auckland, Waikato stay in level 3, Northland to level 2 this week
Northern Advocate

Auckland, Waikato stay in level 3, Northland to level 2 this week

18 Oct 04:45 AM

PM promises a plan this week for Auckland's path out of lockdown.

Live: 55 new Covid cases, Northland and Waikato in level 3 until Monday
Northern Advocate

Live: 55 new Covid cases, Northland and Waikato in level 3 until Monday

12 Oct 11:47 PM

Hipkins reveals the latest on alert levels.

Live: Covid-positive truckie in Northland; grim outlook for Auckland as mystery cases surge
Northern Advocate

Live: Covid-positive truckie in Northland; grim outlook for Auckland as mystery cases surge

12 Oct 07:53 PM

The number of active unlinked cases hit 74 yesterday - the 7th straight day it has risen.

Delta outbreak: 43 new cases, PM reveals 'vaxathon' this Saturday
Northern Advocate

Delta outbreak: 43 new cases, PM reveals 'vaxathon' this Saturday

12 Oct 01:19 AM

The Northland traveller found last night has tested positive - what is the Northland risk?

Live: Auckland rules to stay; Northland, Waikato to level 2 on Friday; Expert warns of Xmas at home
Northern Advocate

Live: Auckland rules to stay; Northland, Waikato to level 2 on Friday; Expert warns of Xmas at home

11 Oct 04:51 AM

Cabinet has also decided on who will get mandatory jabs.

Premium
Derek Cheng: Level 3 in Northland until Xmas? It's a very real possibility
Northern Advocate

Derek Cheng: Level 3 in Northland until Xmas? It's a very real possibility

08 Oct 08:00 AM

Reluctance to co-operate with authorities has also made the Auckland outbreak complex.

Live: 'Every Northlander needs to stay home' - region to level 3 after Auckland woman with Covid visited
Northern Advocate

Live: 'Every Northlander needs to stay home' - region to level 3 after Auckland woman with Covid visited

08 Oct 04:50 AM

Chris Hipkins announces Northland to move into level 3 tonight, at least until Tuesday.

Live: 29 new cases, Waikato boundary extended south from tonight
Northern Advocate

Live: 29 new cases, Waikato boundary extended south from tonight

07 Oct 05:05 AM

The Government will today outline where rapid antigen testing will be used

29 new Covid cases - eight unlinked; new case at hospital ED
Northern Advocate

29 new Covid cases - eight unlinked; new case at hospital ED

04 Oct 01:18 AM

Cabinet meets on alert level, 2 million Kiwis now fully vaccinated.

Auckland Mayor slams 'idiot' Brian Tamaki over lockdown protest plans
Northern Advocate

Auckland Mayor slams 'idiot' Brian Tamaki over lockdown protest plans

28 Sep 04:05 AM

Top police bosses meet virtually with Brian Tamaki over plans for anti-lockdown protest.

Live: 20 new cases - Auckland lockdown decision goes to the wire; 500,000 new vaccine doses on way
Northern Advocate

Live: 20 new cases - Auckland lockdown decision goes to the wire; 500,000 new vaccine doses on way

12 Sep 02:12 AM

Cabinet will meet tomorrow to decide the country's alert level fate

88 Delta hospital admissions, only one fully vaccinated patient
Northern Advocate

88 Delta hospital admissions, only one fully vaccinated patient

09 Sep 12:20 AM

'The vaccine works well but you don't become bulletproof straight after the first dose.'

Crowne Plaza conundrum and the mystery MIQ leak; 15 new cases today
Northern Advocate

Crowne Plaza conundrum and the mystery MIQ leak; 15 new cases today

08 Sep 04:50 AM

Case numbers in recent days: 20, 20, 20, 21 - and 15 today.

Govt finalising deal to provide extra vaccines, 21 new cases
Northern Advocate

Govt finalising deal to provide extra vaccines, 21 new cases

07 Sep 12:20 AM

Ardern has been reaching out to her global network to secure quick-fire supply of Pfizer.

Watch: Mortgage relief, rent freezes not necessary at the moment - Robertson
Northern Advocate

Watch: Mortgage relief, rent freezes not necessary at the moment - Robertson

23 Aug 10:37 PM

Only one firm with more than 100 full time employees had applied for the wage subsidy.

NZ's Covid elimination plan 'let down by allies', says expert
Northern Advocate

NZ's Covid elimination plan 'let down by allies', says expert

11 Aug 10:15 PM

Allies could have pursued an elimination strategy, but they didn't.

Covid: Ship pilot's infection linked to Qld taxi driver, abuse 'not helpful'
Northern Advocate

Covid: Ship pilot's infection linked to Qld taxi driver, abuse 'not helpful'

10 Aug 01:40 AM

Health authorities reveal pilot has same Delta strain as Cairns taxi driver.

Travel bubble closed for eight weeks, Kiwis told 'come home now'
Northern Advocate

Travel bubble closed for eight weeks, Kiwis told 'come home now'

23 Jul 02:14 AM

Kiwis in Australia will be able to get home on managed return flights over the next week.

Covid-19: Ship with infected mariners docks in Wellington, 1 new case in MIQ
Northern Advocate

Covid-19: Ship with infected mariners docks in Wellington, 1 new case in MIQ

12 Jul 01:06 AM

A ship carrying two Covid-infected mariners has docked in Wellington.

Wellington returns to level 1 at 11.59pm, transtasman bubble to partly reopen
Northern Advocate

Wellington returns to level 1 at 11.59pm, transtasman bubble to partly reopen

29 Jun 02:07 AM

Bloomfield: Likelihood of people in Wellington still incubating virus "now very low".

Covid jabs approved for Kiwi teens aged 12-15
Northern Advocate

Covid jabs approved for Kiwi teens aged 12-15

21 Jun 04:52 AM

Around 265,000 children are in the 12-15 age group in New Zealand.

Two acute MIQ Covid cases; Melbourne trio misled officials to enter NZ
Northern Advocate

Two acute MIQ Covid cases; Melbourne trio misled officials to enter NZ

09 Jun 01:45 AM

The Government is expecting 1 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to arrive in July.

MIQ review: Weaknesses found in the high-trust border testing model
Northern Advocate

MIQ review: Weaknesses found in the high-trust border testing model

02 Jun 11:00 PM

Covid test data matching system has come under scrutiny after failure.

Ashley Bloomfield says pandemic 'not even halfway through'
Northern Advocate

Ashley Bloomfield says pandemic 'not even halfway through'

02 Jun 04:20 AM

More than 235,000 people are now fully vaccinated.

Budget 2021 live: Here are the 10 things you need to know
Northern Advocate

Budget 2021 live: Here are the 10 things you need to know

20 May 02:00 AM

What you need to know about Budget 2021 at a glance.

Death of NZer after Covid vaccine reported; no link established
Northern Advocate

Death of NZer after Covid vaccine reported; no link established

19 May 02:08 AM

Information 'strongly suggestive ... that the death was unrelated to vaccination'.

Thousands of travellers' plans disrupted as flights from NSW paused
Northern Advocate

Thousands of travellers' plans disrupted as flights from NSW paused

06 May 05:00 PM

About 6000 travellers flew to New Zealand from NSW since a community case emerged there.

Perth traveller now in MIQ faces fine or possible jail time
Northern Advocate

Perth traveller now in MIQ faces fine or possible jail time

28 Apr 01:37 AM

Questions remain over how a Kiwi flew home from Perth when the city was in lockdown.

Covid case: Airport worker cleaned 'green-zone' plane that flew to Aussie
Northern Advocate

Covid case: Airport worker cleaned 'green-zone' plane that flew to Aussie

21 Apr 03:38 AM

Hipkins: The risk of someone cleaning a plane and passing on Covid was 'minimal'.

Covid-infected MIQ guard lied to boss about regular tests: PM
Northern Advocate

Covid-infected MIQ guard lied to boss about regular tests: PM

14 Apr 02:35 AM

More than 130,000 Covid vaccine doses have now been administered in NZ.

Covid-infected cleaner visited supermarket, relative's test 'weak positive'
Northern Advocate

Covid-infected cleaner visited supermarket, relative's test 'weak positive'

23 Mar 01:15 AM

Chris Hipkins and Ashley Bloomfield provide an update about the new MIQ worker case.

Four new Covid-19 cases in isolation; casual contact of community case on flight unwell
Northern Advocate

Four new Covid-19 cases in isolation; casual contact of community case on flight unwell

09 Nov 12:31 AM

Person with symptoms in the Waikato who shared flight with a case; test result pending

Covid-19 case flew Auckland to Wellington on Thursday; 1300 Defence staff to work from home
Northern Advocate

Covid-19 case flew Auckland to Wellington on Thursday; 1300 Defence staff to work from home

08 Nov 12:53 AM

Seventh time in just over three months that virus has been contracted in an MIQ facility.

'Warm relationship': Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta on Joe Biden's win
Northern Advocate

'Warm relationship': Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta on Joe Biden's win

07 Nov 10:39 PM

She expected "continued warm conversations" on the US-NZ relationship.

Watch: Chch community case a health worker looking after foreign fishermen
Northern Advocate

Watch: Chch community case a health worker looking after foreign fishermen

02 Nov 11:40 PM

The latest community case represents the sixth border failure in just over three months

Ardern's new top team: Robertson Deputy PM, Little as Health Minister
Northern Advocate

Ardern's new top team: Robertson Deputy PM, Little as Health Minister

02 Nov 01:22 AM

Jacinda Ardern revealed her new top team.

Live: Referendum results - NZ votes yes on euthanasia, no on cannabis legalisation
Northern Advocate

Live: Referendum results - NZ votes yes on euthanasia, no on cannabis legalisation

30 Oct 02:33 AM

Green MP Chloe Swarbrick has harsh words for the "no" campaign after referendum loss.

The reeferendum: Preliminary results are out tomorrow - what happens next?
Northern Advocate

The reeferendum: Preliminary results are out tomorrow - what happens next?

28 Oct 10:09 PM

The Electoral Commission is releasing the preliminary result at 2pm Friday.

25 new Covid cases: Two in community, 18 fishermen
Northern Advocate

25 new Covid cases: Two in community, 18 fishermen

21 Oct 12:47 AM

How many foreign deep-sea fishing crew in New Zealand have tested positive for Covid-19?

Port worker has new virus strain; likely infected on ship heading for Brisbane
Northern Advocate

Port worker has new virus strain; likely infected on ship heading for Brisbane

19 Oct 12:15 AM

The port worker is the first Covid-19 community case in NZ since September 24.

Ardern says 'mandate exists for Labour'; Govt to form in 3 weeks
Northern Advocate

Ardern says 'mandate exists for Labour'; Govt to form in 3 weeks

18 Oct 01:31 AM

Labour leader says she expects to form a Government within three weeks.

One new Covid-19 case in managed isolation
Northern Advocate

One new Covid-19 case in managed isolation

02 Oct 11:45 PM

The last community case was reported on September 24.

Three new Covid cases in community and six 'historical' cases
Northern Advocate

Three new Covid cases in community and six 'historical' cases

23 Sep 12:45 AM

Today's three new cases are not linked to the Auckland cluster.

Watch: No new Covid cases, Bloomfield reveals weak positive thought to be historical
Northern Advocate

Watch: No new Covid cases, Bloomfield reveals weak positive thought to be historical

22 Sep 12:45 AM

Three people remain in hospital with Covid.

Three new Covid cases at border; 94 close contacts of infected gym-goer
Northern Advocate

Three new Covid cases at border; 94 close contacts of infected gym-goer

15 Sep 12:45 AM

There are now 94 close contacts of the healthcare worker who went to three gym classes.

Auckland stays at level 2.5, rest of NZ likely move to level 1 next week
Northern Advocate

Auckland stays at level 2.5, rest of NZ likely move to level 1 next week

14 Sep 02:31 AM

The Govt will review the rules again next week, Winston Peters hits out.

One new Covid case in community, linked to Mt Roskill church
Northern Advocate

One new Covid case in community, linked to Mt Roskill church

11 Sep 12:51 AM

The case is associated with Mt Roskill Evangelical Fellowship bereavement events group.

'Deliberate, malicious spread of misinformation': The threat to level 1 move
Northern Advocate

'Deliberate, malicious spread of misinformation': The threat to level 1 move

10 Sep 01:40 AM

There is a sub-cluster within the Mt Roskill mini-cluster within the Auckland cluster.

6 new cases: Illegal mini-cluster meeting, bus driver tests positive
Northern Advocate

6 new cases: Illegal mini-cluster meeting, bus driver tests positive

09 Sep 12:45 AM

New group within Mt Roskill mini-cluster could lengthen the outbreak's tail by weeks.

Wellington has first Covid case in managed isolation, border workers test negative
Northern Advocate

Wellington has first Covid case in managed isolation, border workers test negative

01 Sep 12:45 AM

Ninety-seven per cent of border workers were tested last week - no-one had Covid.

Aussie PM: No one's raised mosque gunman extradition
Northern Advocate

Aussie PM: No one's raised mosque gunman extradition

27 Aug 05:16 AM

Winston Peters says 'depraved' terrorist should be sent back to Australia.

Five new virus cases and new 'mini-cluster' - wedding guests on alert
Northern Advocate

Five new virus cases and new 'mini-cluster' - wedding guests on alert

26 Aug 01:56 AM

Ashley Bloomfield says a 'mini-cluster' has been identified

Watch: NZ alert levels extended until Sunday
Northern Advocate

Watch: NZ alert levels extended until Sunday

24 Aug 02:45 AM

People travelling on public transport at alert level 2 will need a mask.

Three new Covid-19 cases, 9 in hospital, changes to travel exemptions
Northern Advocate

Three new Covid-19 cases, 9 in hospital, changes to travel exemptions

23 Aug 12:45 AM

Today's new cases are a household contact of a previous case and two imported cases.

Watch: No early lockdown lift for Auckland - PM; 11 new Covid cases
Northern Advocate

Watch: No early lockdown lift for Auckland - PM; 11 new Covid cases

21 Aug 12:45 AM

Eight people with Covid are in hospital.

Six new cases - more defence staff called in; Govt to hire own hotel guards
Northern Advocate

Six new cases - more defence staff called in; Govt to hire own hotel guards

19 Aug 12:45 AM

There have been over 100,000 test results so far since the latest outbreak emerged.

Covid-positive hotel worker with cough passed health check; 13 new cases today
Northern Advocate

Covid-positive hotel worker with cough passed health check; 13 new cases today

18 Aug 02:10 AM

A Covid-19 case has emerged that appears to be unconnected to the South Auckland cluster.

Watch: Nine new cases of Covid-19 today; five people in hospital
Northern Advocate

Watch: Nine new cases of Covid-19 today; five people in hospital

17 Aug 01:45 AM

Jacinda Ardern says it's unfair to assume Ashley Bloomfield misled her on border testing.

Watch: NZ to maintain current alert levels for 12 more days
Northern Advocate

Watch: NZ to maintain current alert levels for 12 more days

14 Aug 08:10 AM

There were 13 new community transmission cases announced this afternoon.

Premium
Derek Cheng: Jacinda Ardern won't ease restrictions if she wants to be cautious
Opinion

Derek Cheng: Jacinda Ardern won't ease restrictions if she wants to be cautious

13 Aug 05:00 PM

It would be devastating to ease Auckland's lockdown lite and later be hit by new clusters.

Four more 'probables' linked to community Covid cases
Northern Advocate

Four more 'probables' linked to community Covid cases

12 Aug 05:00 AM

All are linked to the community-based cases revealed last night.

Auckland in lockdown, rest of country in level 2 after community transmission
Northern Advocate

Auckland in lockdown, rest of country in level 2 after community transmission

11 Aug 10:56 AM

It comes after four cases of community transmission.

100 days of solitude (and no transmission) - NZ hits historic Covid century mark
Northern Advocate

100 days of solitude (and no transmission) - NZ hits historic Covid century mark

09 Aug 01:12 AM

The last case of community transmission was recorded on May 1.

The end of NZ First? Shane Jones in huge trouble in new Northland poll
Northern Advocate

The end of NZ First? Shane Jones in huge trouble in new Northland poll

08 Aug 09:11 PM

The poll spells bad news for NZ First - and its chances of returning to Parliament.

No new Covid cases; Bloomfield reveals new rugby nickname
Northern Advocate

No new Covid cases; Bloomfield reveals new rugby nickname

23 Jul 01:18 AM

It has been 83 days since the last community transmission case.

'Untenable' - PM sacks Lees-Galloway for 12-month relationship with staffer
Northern Advocate

'Untenable' - PM sacks Lees-Galloway for 12-month relationship with staffer

22 Jul 12:40 AM

PM fronted unscheduled press conference after allegation about 'inappropriate behaviour'.

One new Covid case today; health sector gets $302m boost
Northern Advocate

One new Covid case today; health sector gets $302m boost

21 Jul 01:47 AM

There were only 8 tests in the community on Sunday. There are meant to be 4000 a day.

Queenstown, Invercargill ruled out as quarantine destinations; Dunedin possible
Northern Advocate

Queenstown, Invercargill ruled out as quarantine destinations; Dunedin possible

17 Jul 12:52 AM

Megan Woods and Darryn Webb are looking at possible quarantine facilities.

'These are hotels, not prisons': Hamilton escapee evaded police, climbed down fire escape
Northern Advocate

'These are hotels, not prisons': Hamilton escapee evaded police, climbed down fire escape

10 Jul 12:47 AM

Health Minister Chris Hipkins' response to the third person to escape managed isolation.

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