Lane Nichols is Deputy Head of News and a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years' experience in the industry.
His career includes stints at the Nelson Mail, Dominion Post and currently the Herald. He has covered numerous rounds including fisheries, health, education and property, winning several national awards along the way. He has held senior newsroom leadership roles for nearly 15 years while also reporting on many high-profile news events and breaking countless exclusive stories. His current areas of focus include bank fraud and the surge of international investment scams. But he has also undertaken deep-dive investigations into the skydiving industry, mental health sector, property speculation, Kāinga Ora and misbehaving real estate agents. He is based in Auckland but remains a proud Wellingtonian. You can contact Lane at lane.nichols@nzme.co.nz.
‘Cover-up’: Family demand answers after child sex offender’s prison death
Kingi Hemi died in Ngawha Prison in November. His cause of death remains unknown.
‘Scammers don’t sleep’: FMA under fire for delayed scam alert after retiree loses $1m
The FMA took 47 days to issue a scam warning, during which a retiree lost $1m.
‘I make some money out of it’: Interview with a $2m money launderer
A scam victim who lost $1m says: “I’ve failed as a husband to protect my wife".
'Return the stolen money': Elite private school refused to refund scam victim's 'tainted' $50K
Victim believes the school has a moral duty not to keep money from an alleged criminal.
'Ruined my life': Luxury yacht skipper loses $400k in scam, faces accused 'mule' in court
He thought he was investing $400k in a HSBC term deposit. But it was all a scam.
‘Victim blaming’: Ombudsman under fire after ruling scam victims culpable for loss
Victim Support says it is pointless and harmful to blame victims of fraud.
Scam ‘mule’ allegedly linked to $1.7m in stolen money is a CEO and company director
Victims want regulation; banks believe their systems are robust.
'Fight for justice': BNZ told to reimburse scam victims nearly $300k after missing ‘red flags’
The Banking Ombudsman found BNZ had missed crucial warning signs of a known scam.
Inmate jailed for prison attack on former estate agent after being refused chicken
Aaron Drever's face was slashed open with a metal hook in the prison kitchen.
Inmate could face 14 years' jail for horrific prison attack on former real estate agent
Aaron Drever's face was slashed open with a metal hook in the prison kitchen.
Victims who lost $1.25m to scammers via alleged 'mule' believe ASB should accept liability
"Some kind of red flag should have been raised."
Bank recovers just $19k of stolen $330k life savings, police ID scam 'mule'
'Why wasn’t something done to stop this guy?'
'They tricked me': Scam victim who lost $330k feels he’s failed his wife, kids
"I feel like something horrible is going to happen to my family.”
'He took everything’: Broker admits blowing investors' $60k on sports betting
"I’ve done something unforgivable. There’s no defence for what I did."
Bank's ‘sincere regret’: ANZ offers $19k to 82yo scammed out of $36k
Fraudsters posing as the victim convinced ANZ staff to divulge personal customer details.
Listen: Recording captures criminal impersonating 82-yr-old scam victim; $40,000 lost
A police officer is shocked neither ANZ or Mobil detected the suspect transactions.
Fisherman’s leg nearly amputated in horrific accident with boat propeller
"I clicked that if I don’t stay awake there’s a good chance I’ll never wake up again.”
Bank refuses to refund $49k stolen from pensioner’s online account
Westpac says it is not liable for the stolen money.
'Mayhem and fear': National attacks Kāinga Ora's no evictions policy
A Black Power gang member allegedly threatened to slit a pensioner's throat.
Kāinga Ora under fire after Black Power gang party in state house
A court has granted a restraining order against the couple's Kāinga Ora neighbours.
'Living hell': Eviction ban protecting violent state tenants unlawful - lawyer
'The state is supposed to protect its citizens.'
Death threats and abuse: Pensioners terrorised by gang member, state-house neighbours
"The consequences should be felt by the people who create the problems."
Live: Five Delta cases; infected nurse's fiancé waiting for test; race to track virus' spread
Five community cases of Covid-19 have now been confirmed in Auckland.
Foreign buyer rules force US couple to sell waterfront property for massive loss
Investigators found the US couple was uncooperative and "not quality investors".
John Banks urged abortion, helped source drugs: court claim
The paternity case against former MP and mayor John Banks is back in court.
Estate agent charged with dealing meth
Paihia woman 'vehemently denies' using coded real-estate terms to organise buying P from drugs kingpin.
Home truths: Jafas rolling into town
Aucklanders are buying at least 20 per cent of properties in nearby regional main centres, as soaring city prices force house hunters to look elsewhere.
Exodus of the house hunters
Up to one in four property sales in parts of provincial NZ are now to Aucklanders, with many buyers forced from city as prices spiral beyond their means.
Green with envy: Home with golf course
Seaside property in Russell is on the market - complete with its own 18-hole golf course.