Raphael Franks is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on breaking news, crime, transport and human interest stories.
Raphael hails from Christchurch but made Auckland his home in 2022. While attending Christchurch Boys’ High School from 2014 to 2018, he worked in Coca-Cola Amatil’s bottling plant; and while studying geography at the University of Canterbury, he worked in retail. Marking a total reversal in career ambitions, Raphael was offered the opportunity to join the Te Rito Journalism Cadetship programme in 2022, funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund. Through this, he got experience working in some of the country’s largest newsrooms and some of the country’s smallest. He began working for the Herald in the same year. During this time, Raphael has covered the Auckland Anniversary Floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, two different shootings on Queen St and another on Ponsonby Rd, the closure of Newshub, the slimming down of TVNZ, and other major news events of the day. You can contact Mr Franks on 027 436 5668 or at raphael.franks@nzme.co.nz.
Govt boosts spending on private schools to support ‘diversity, choice’
It is the first increase in private school funding in 15 years, David Seymour said.
Heavy rain, 100km/h winds: Severe storm approaching NZ upgraded to Tropical Cyclone Tam
'It will bring significant weather to the upper North Island late Wednesday to Thursday.'
Dogs maul woman in Northland: Man comes to rescue, also gets attacked
The woman was painting her house when four dogs broke through her fence and set upon her.
Watch: 'Right behind me' – Large great white shark chases solo kayak fisher
Matt Wells, 19, recorded a video of his encounter. Wells is helpless as he paddles away.
Storm hits: Power cuts, road closures as rivers rise in Northland
Severe weather watches and warnings are in force.
‘Extreme care’: Thunderstorms, downpours bear down on Nth Island, wind warnings for harbour bridge
Civil Defence has warned people to keep watch on the incoming storm due from 3pm today.
19hr deluge: Thunderstorms, gales prompt warnings
Civil Defence has warned people to keep watch on the incoming storm due from 3pm today.
Whangārei fire: Home still under threat, firefighting efforts to stretch across three days
The cause of the fire is not yet know but an investigation will take place on Friday.
'Cherished part of our lives': League star mourned by family ahead of funeral
Kath Wharton died on Thursday, aged 41.
'Police will take action': Warning to protesters starting convoys today
Protest organised by advocacy group Toitū te Tiriti started at Cape Rēinga this morning.
South Dunedin residents ‘encouraged’ to self-evacuate as flood waters rise
'Risk of flooding, slips are high. Follow the advice of local authorities' - MetService
‘Exceptional situation’: Dunedin residents warned of overnight downpour, asked to stay home
'Risk of flooding, slips are high. Follow the advice of local authorities' - MetService
33-hr drenching: Severe thunderstorms for upper North Island, snowstorms, downpours in south
Snowstorms are also forecast for parts of south. Severe weather alerts are out across NZ.
Woman found on beach: Jo Sione-Lauaki victim of foul play, police reveal
Mother of eight's body was found on remote Northland coastline on August 2.
41 hours of rain: Risk of surface flooding, landslips
Auckland's Saturday should be partly cloudy with showers hitting later and into tomorrow.
Police seize ute after man found injured, dies on Northland roadside
Police appealing for info from public, seeking sightings of man or vehicle of interest.
Major global IT network outage hits banking services, flights, television, supermarkets
'Officials are working to ensure that impacts on lifelines services are minimised.'
Thousands join protest at Parliament as Govt unveils Budget
The nationwide protests come ahead of the coalition Government's first Budget at 2pm.
'Parliament starts with family, empathy and humanity': Bereft Act MP thanks well-wishers for support
The second-term MP's loss was honoured by PM Luxon, other politicians and public figures.
'You are all of my successes': Act MP mourns son and rugby player
The second-term MP's loss been honoured by PM Luxon, other politicians and public figures.
Watch: 'Grab the camera': Great white shark circles boatie for over an hour
A shark expert says it appears the shark had been caught in a net and injured.
70yo fatally pierced by equipment at freezing works in 'freak accident'
'A man died on our floor. Someone’s got to be accountable.'
Two arrests on Auckland motorways as Te Pāti Māori protests disperse
Te Pāti Māori says protests planned today are 'just the start' - taking aim at new Govt.
'Our baby brother has been found': Teen diver's body found in Far North stream
The teen went missing on Labour Day, when he was reportedly swept out to sea.
‘Absolutely heartbroken’: Kiwi sailor's moving note to widow before tragedy
Clive Nothling, 73, died onboard his yacht Second Life.
Police arrest four gang-connected men over suburban shooting
A window of a Raumanga home has been damaged by the shooting.
Two men aged in 40s confirmed as shooting victims, worked at construction site with gunman
Police are still trying to identify the two people killed, with investigations continuing.
Roads flooded in Tologa Bay, warning upgraded: Weather watches extended across NI
Heavy rain watches issued for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty.
Police release photos of shorts, shoes in hunt for dialysis patient's killer
The killer is believed to have fled barefoot and left his shoes at the scene.
Hunt for killer: Kaikohe dialysis patient attacked in home she shared with whānau
The killer is believed to have fled barefoot and left his shoes at the scene.
'Fighting for their lives': Killer ripped out dialysis patient's breathing tubes
“My daughters were there. They were the ones trying to fight him off.”
'Scene from a horror movie': Doctor, nurse and patient assaulted at rural hospital
Nurse was verbally, racially abused, doctor was punched, along with fireman trying to help
Whangārei Boys’ High School resumes school trips after student's death
Principal says off-site school visits were paused immediately after last student's death.
'Water was just so intense': Community demands answers after death of student
Questions swirl about why the trip went ahead considering there were heavy rain warnings.
Another 14 students unwell after raw chicken meals served at school
The lunch provider allegedly provided students with raw chicken meals - more than once.