Emma Russell, Multimedia Journalist at New Zealand's Herald, uncovers health investigations and writes daily news following the country's biggest health system shake up and continued repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kia ora, I'm Emma. I'm really proud of two major investigations I've uncovered since starting at the New Zealand Herald in 2018. The first exposed inequalities in cancer care in a 2019 investigation called ‘Cancer: Why can’t we get it right?’. The second was a 2022 campaign called ‘In her Head’, which uncovered serious issues with how women are treated in New Zealand’s health system, and the severe neglect that some wāhine had faced. I also write daily news including following the country’s biggest health system shakeup and continued repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Growing up, I watched people I love struggle with their mental health, with them becoming stripped of a voice and left feeling powerless. I observed the role the media has to influence positive change. This led me to study journalism, with history and English, at the University of Canterbury and through a postgraduate diploma at Auckland University of Technology. I learnt about three key staples to journalism - holding powers to account, shining a light on injustices, and giving people a voice. Many of the stories I cover are harrowing and confronting. Those stories have stayed with me, but by sharing them we provoke meaningful conversation. To me, journalism is more than a job, it’s a privilege and one I am committed to never taking for granted
!['Just part of being a woman': How our health system ignores and neglects female patients - and what can be done about it](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Just part of being a woman': How our health system ignores and neglects female patients - and what can be done about it
'I kept thinking maybe I'm just being weak, maybe I just need to harden up...'
!['I felt like I'd failed as a parent': Mum speaks out about traumatic births](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'I felt like I'd failed as a parent': Mum speaks out about traumatic births
Monique Cross says she was repeatedly dismissed by health professionals.
![Live: 'Stay away' - Aucklanders to be locked out of holiday hotspots this summer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Live: 'Stay away' - Aucklanders to be locked out of holiday hotspots this summer
The simple message to Aucklanders is to stay away, Ōpōtiki councillor says.
![Live: Luxon's demand to PM - open Auckland's borders tonight](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Live: Luxon's demand to PM - open Auckland's borders tonight
I think we would expect to see cases go up with the traffic light, Baker has warned.
![Delta outbreak: 109 cases - new infections in Northland, Waikato; Auckland vaccine rate latest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Delta outbreak: 109 cases - new infections in Northland, Waikato; Auckland vaccine rate latest
There are 35 people in hospital around the country.
![The staggering amount taxpayers spend on drink-driving crashes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
The staggering amount taxpayers spend on drink-driving crashes
'Road deaths aren't just numbers,' police boss says.
![Toddler's dislocated hip undetected by surgeon for 10 months](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Toddler's dislocated hip undetected by surgeon for 10 months
Family wins apology after a three year investigation by HDC.
!['Bold move': $36.6m to help Kiwis quit smoking by 2025](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Bold move': $36.6m to help Kiwis quit smoking by 2025
Advocacy groups are applauding the Government's Smokefree 2025 spend.
!['Incredibly hopeful': Mental health nurse on health shake-up](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Incredibly hopeful': Mental health nurse on health shake-up
Whangārei nurse Terryann Clark hopes some failures will now be fixed.
![Harrowing video on maternal suicide leaves politicians holding back tears](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Harrowing video on maternal suicide leaves politicians holding back tears
The film was shown to politicians to prompt action against neglected maternal care.
![Travellers allowed to skip managed isolation for medical reasons](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Travellers allowed to skip managed isolation for medical reasons
Five were approved under the medical exemptions and one for "exceptional circumstances".
![51yo mum is dying of bowel cancer. Govt refuses to lower screening age](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
51yo mum is dying of bowel cancer. Govt refuses to lower screening age
Catherine Edwards won't live to see her daughter marry or grand-kids grow up.
!['I thought I was giving birth to baby Jesus': Doctor tells virgin she is pregnant](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'I thought I was giving birth to baby Jesus': Doctor tells virgin she is pregnant
A woman has 2.5kg cyst removed after being misdiagnosed as heavily pregnant.
![Young dad told he has an STI, turns out it's cancer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Young dad told he has an STI, turns out it's cancer
Patient tells doctors there's no way it's an STI, but he wasn't believed.
![Man suffers bowel injury after treatment. ACC offer him a bucket](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Man suffers bowel injury after treatment. ACC offer him a bucket
ACC declines man with bowel injury a vehicle with toilet facilities.
![30yo told not to worry about lump in breast. Now she's dying](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
30yo told not to worry about lump in breast. Now she's dying
Hollie Mcintyre has been given just months to live.
![Ruby Princess cluster closed, 21 days with no new Covid-19 cases](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Ruby Princess cluster closed, 21 days with no new Covid-19 cases
The Ministry of Health has released the latest update.
![One new Covid-19 case - link to Auckland rest home cluster](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
One new Covid-19 case - link to Auckland rest home cluster
The number of new Covid-19 cases in the previous seven days has been just two.
![Extraordinary battle: Little girl with golf ball-sized tumour in heart](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Extraordinary battle: Little girl with golf ball-sized tumour in heart
Today, the 'bubbly, energetic and outgoing' fighter is being discharged from hospital.
!['Happy Meal' healthcare: Plan for 200 drive through medical clinics](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Happy Meal' healthcare: Plan for 200 drive through medical clinics
"Our ability to deliver health care will be as swift as getting a Happy Meal."
![Caring for a sick loved one: 'It's my duty as a wife'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Caring for a sick loved one: 'It's my duty as a wife'
Family members will now be paid to look after disabled loved one - here's why.
![Public outrage at Ruby Hill's story: 'This is so wrong'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Public outrage at Ruby Hill's story: 'This is so wrong'
Sent home to die, it's Hill's mother who provides her with full-time care without help.
![Dying young woman unable to eat refused palliative care](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Dying young woman unable to eat refused palliative care
WARNING: Confronting images. "I'm dying and nobody believes me," says Ruby Hill.
![Health boards fail to meet 'faster cancer treatment' target](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Health boards fail to meet 'faster cancer treatment' target
How do DHBs rank when it comes to cancer treatment wait times?
!['Rotten care': Elderly rest home residents dying due to low level of help - union](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'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.
![Junior doctors' strike starts today: What you need to know](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Junior doctors' strike starts today: What you need to know
From 7am tomorrow hospitals nationwide are without 3300 junior doctors for 48 hours.
![ACC warns Kiwis of the odd 'preventable' Xmas injuries](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
ACC warns Kiwis of the odd 'preventable' Xmas injuries
Falling Xmas trees, flying wine corks and hang fairy lights common hazards, ACC tells
!['Seven years of medicated hell': One in eight Kiwis prescribed antidepressants](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
'Seven years of medicated hell': One in eight Kiwis prescribed antidepressants
Kiwi teacher shares her struggle as research reveals 1 in 8 Kiwis are prescribed the drug.
![Danger at the beach: Rubbish blamed for surge in seaside injuries](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Danger at the beach: Rubbish blamed for surge in seaside injuries
Researchers are warning rubbish is becoming a "growing hazard" at New Zealand's beaches.
![Health shock: Starship, hospitals 'not fit for purpose'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Health shock: Starship, hospitals 'not fit for purpose'
Health unions flag leaks, mould and asbestos among a wide-spread of problems.
![Pay negotiations to continue after nurses' strike](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Pay negotiations to continue after nurses' strike
New Zealand Nurses Organisation and District Health Boards head back to the table.
![Students learning three times faster with electronics, study shows](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Students learning three times faster with electronics, study shows
Students learning three times faster with electronics
![Toilet gag a hit at national competition](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Toilet gag a hit at national competition
An idea that stemmed from rivalry with neighbouring boys school.
![Whangārei's Quarry Garden on global stage](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Whangārei's Quarry Garden on global stage
Australasian mayor impressed with Whangarei's garden quarry.
![Out with the old, in with the new pews for Whangārei church](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
Out with the old, in with the new pews for Whangārei church
Anglican church replaces wooden pews for chairs
![$750m for restoring hospitals' urgent building needs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=815)
$750m for restoring hospitals' urgent building needs
Funding to fix hospital buildings is "a start", but more is needed.