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Sam Hurley
NZ Herald Print Editor

Sam Hurley is the New Zealand Herald's print editor.

Sam joined the Herald in 2017 and has worked in a variety of roles, including deputy head of print content, news director, and as an award-winning court and business reporter. He has covered some of New Zealand’s biggest court cases, including the murder of Grace Millane, and led multi-year Herald investigations into the crimes of millionaire arts philanthropist James Wallace and New Lynn terrorist Ahamed Samsudeen. He was the Templeton Scholar in Parliament's Press Gallery in 2016 and also reported on the US presidential election while in America that year. Sam has covered several general and local elections and the Serious Fraud Office cases involving political donations to the Labour, National and NZ First parties. He started his career as a reporter at Hawke’s Bay Today in 2013 and has also worked at TVNZ for 1News. After graduating from the University of Waikato with a degree in political science, specialising in international relations and defence studies, Sam obtained a post-graduate diploma in journalism from the Auckland University of Technology. Sam sits as a member of NZME on the District Court Media Committee, which discusses issues raised by the media, judiciary and Ministry of Justice. He is also a keen sports fan and travelled to watch the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. You can contact Sam at sam.hurley@nzme.co.nz.

Check out Sam’s latest content
Live: Supply helicopters grounded as storm tracks down NZ; tornado hits Waihi Beach; wild weather wreaks havoc
Northern Advocate

Live: Supply helicopters grounded as storm tracks down NZ; tornado hits Waihi Beach; wild weather wreaks havoc

24 Feb 11:02 PM
Premium
Former trustee who stole from $1m fund for underprivileged to be released from prison
Northern Advocate

Former trustee who stole from $1m fund for underprivileged to be released from prison

29 Aug 08:30 PM

Stephen Henare is banned from engaging in the affairs of any business, trust or company.

Ex-policeman who raped colleague loses bid for Supreme Court appeal
Northern Advocate

Ex-policeman who raped colleague loses bid for Supreme Court appeal

12 Aug 07:26 AM

NZ's top court declines to hear appeal of cop jailed for crimes against policewoman.

Premium
Lawyer guilty over false accusation of govt manager hacking social media account
Northern Advocate

Lawyer guilty over false accusation of govt manager hacking social media account

11 Jun 05:22 AM

Tribunal describes conduct of lawyer who attacked government manager 'disgraceful'.

Premium
Former trustee who drained fund from $1m to $13.41 shows first sign of repentance
Northern Advocate

Former trustee who drained fund from $1m to $13.41 shows first sign of repentance

02 Jun 05:40 AM

Stephen Henare and his sister virtually bled a trust helping underprivileged people dry.

'I am in serious trouble': What rapist cop told Police Commissioner
Northern Advocate

'I am in serious trouble': What rapist cop told Police Commissioner

26 Mar 02:25 AM

Former top cop Mike Bush said jailed officer 'is known to me personally'.

Premium
Jailed cop phoned Commissioner of Police after sexually violating colleague
Northern Advocate

Jailed cop phoned Commissioner of Police after sexually violating colleague

25 Mar 02:50 AM

Police have declined to release details about the phone call to the nation's top cop.

Premium
Ministry of Justice worker dealing meth arrested in carpark
Northern Advocate

Ministry of Justice worker dealing meth arrested in carpark

12 Dec 04:00 PM

'You'll never be able to work in a job like that ever again', judge tells ex-court worker.

Advance NZ loses debate injunction against MediaWorks
Northern Advocate

Advance NZ loses debate injunction against MediaWorks

01 Oct 12:30 AM

"Reliance on social media 'popularity' is a blunt approach," High Court judge says.

Advance NZ: 'We should be at all of these televised debates'
Northern Advocate

Advance NZ: 'We should be at all of these televised debates'

30 Sep 05:30 AM

Advance NZ believes it has a 'good prospect' of winning the Te Tai Tokerau electorate.

Jailed former trustee fails in 'cultural shame' appeal bid
Northern Advocate

Jailed former trustee fails in 'cultural shame' appeal bid

16 Sep 05:44 AM

The trust, which helped underprivileged people, was virtually bled dry by Stephen Henare.

Cop jailed for rape still employed by police
Northern Advocate

Cop jailed for rape still employed by police

30 Apr 08:00 AM

Despite his criminal convictions, Jamie Foster is still an officer in the NZ Police.

'I am forever labelled as the policewoman who was raped by the policeman'
Northern Advocate

'I am forever labelled as the policewoman who was raped by the policeman'

30 Apr 06:15 AM

Police officer raped by her colleague describes the trauma of the brazen attack.

Police officer jailed for six years for raping colleague
Northern Advocate

Police officer jailed for six years for raping colleague

30 Apr 03:26 AM

The crimes and actions of officers at a motel have raised questions about police culture.

Policeman who raped female colleague named
Northern Advocate

Policeman who raped female colleague named

23 Apr 08:24 PM

The officer was found guilty of raping his colleague at a motel while on deployment.

Cop's story changes about night of colleague's alleged rape
Northern Advocate

Cop's story changes about night of colleague's alleged rape

11 Mar 10:00 PM

Constable says he was nervous after receiving employment investigation letter.

Officer finds policewoman 'hysterically crying' after alleged rape
Northern Advocate

Officer finds policewoman 'hysterically crying' after alleged rape

11 Mar 02:19 AM

"I said I was sorry, I didn't know what else to say ... it was a crime scene now."

Police rape trial: 'I did not cheat... I was sexually assaulted'
Northern Advocate

Police rape trial: 'I did not cheat... I was sexually assaulted'

09 Mar 11:24 PM

The defence claims the incidents between the two officers was a "pre-arranged hook-up".

'I am telling the truth' - female cop questioned over rape claims
Northern Advocate

'I am telling the truth' - female cop questioned over rape claims

08 Mar 10:30 PM

Alleged victim says she is 'extremely thankful' CCTV filmed much of the evening.

Police rape trial: 'I should've been safe, I was with police colleagues'
Northern Advocate

Police rape trial: 'I should've been safe, I was with police colleagues'

06 Mar 03:00 AM

Several officers participated in drinking games, including using a modified police baton.

'I woke up to pain' - female cop describes alleged sex violation by colleague
Northern Advocate

'I woke up to pain' - female cop describes alleged sex violation by colleague

05 Mar 06:20 PM

Defence claims the allegations are a case of regret about the night's events, not rape.

Cop on trial accused of sexually violating colleague
Northern Advocate

Cop on trial accused of sexually violating colleague

04 Mar 02:38 AM

The accused policeman denies the allegations against him during last year's Waitangi Day.

Premium
Top cop accuser: 'I'm happy knowing he is no longer in police'
Northern Advocate

Top cop accuser: 'I'm happy knowing he is no longer in police'

24 Sep 02:48 AM

She also wants change to how alleged victims are treated in blue on blue investigations.

Premium
Top cop retires after sex assault acquittal
Northern Advocate

Top cop retires after sex assault acquittal

21 Sep 05:00 PM

Detective Inspector Kevin Burke had been suspended since April 2017.

Former Māori fund trustee jailed over $1m fraud with sister
Northern Advocate

Former Māori fund trustee jailed over $1m fraud with sister

28 Aug 01:40 AM

Two siblings conspired to empty a trust account and splurge the money on themselves.

Building product company faces criminal charges
Northern Advocate

Building product company faces criminal charges

30 Jul 03:41 AM

Commerce Commission charged Global Fibre8 Limited and its director Tangi Tuake.

28yrs' jail: Boss of NZ's largest meth factory loses appeal
Northern Advocate

28yrs' jail: Boss of NZ's largest meth factory loses appeal

26 Jun 04:17 AM

Brownie Harding says he was pressured by judge and lawyers to plead guilty.

$1m splurge: Māori trust manager admits fraud
Northern Advocate

$1m splurge: Māori trust manager admits fraud

23 May 06:44 AM

Stephen Henare lied to the Māori Land Court about the money he was stealing.

Former trustee accused of swindling $1m
Northern Advocate

Former trustee accused of swindling $1m

20 May 01:48 AM

A brother and sister have been prosecuted after $1m disappeared from a trust account.

Premium
Largest meth factory ringleader wants day in court
Northern Advocate

Largest meth factory ringleader wants day in court

06 May 06:18 PM

Brownie Harding oversaw the largest methamphetamine lab in New Zealand.

Name stays secret for police officer charged with indecent assault
Northern Advocate

Name stays secret for police officer charged with indecent assault

17 Apr 02:18 AM

The incident came after officers were allegedly seen drinking from a baton-shaped glass.

Double fatal accused couldn't leave hospital bed for court appearance
Northern Advocate

Double fatal accused couldn't leave hospital bed for court appearance

01 Apr 01:41 AM

A Northland mother and her toddler were killed in a car crash during the weekend.

Police officer accused of sex attack on fellow cop
Northern Advocate

Police officer accused of sex attack on fellow cop

01 Mar 01:01 AM

A police officer is accused of sexual crimes against a fellow officer.

Top cop trial: 'Due process has been done'
Northern Advocate

Top cop trial: 'Due process has been done'

28 Feb 03:30 AM

The detective inspector says he now wants to spend time with his family.

Top police officer not guilty of sex crimes
Northern Advocate

Top police officer not guilty of sex crimes

28 Feb 01:33 AM

Detective Inspector Kevin Burke was on trial accused of sexual assaults.

Manager jailed for stealing $1.2m of Waitangi Trust cash
Northern Advocate

Manager jailed for stealing $1.2m of Waitangi Trust cash

22 Feb 03:36 AM

Wallace "the Tory" Te Ahuru stole $1.2 million to fund his extravagant lifestyle.

'One punch' punishments a balancing act
Northern Advocate

'One punch' punishments a balancing act

06 Dec 05:00 AM

A one punch offender's punishment can go higher depending on their intent.

Kidnapper argues victim's account was prejudicial
Northern Advocate

Kidnapper argues victim's account was prejudicial

27 Nov 12:18 AM

Two women feared for their lives after being beaten and bundled into a car boot.

Employment Court orders Ministry of Justice into mediation
Northern Advocate

Employment Court orders Ministry of Justice into mediation

16 Nov 04:30 AM

Pay negotiations between are set to resume this week... by court order.

Former trustee faces trial over $1m fraud
Northern Advocate

Former trustee faces trial over $1m fraud

26 Sep 12:10 AM

Stephen Henare allegedly helped his sister transfer the funds into personal accounts.

Mangawhai man accused of toddler's murder named
Northern Advocate

Mangawhai man accused of toddler's murder named

25 Sep 09:30 PM

A man accused of murdering a 2-year-old has appeared in court.

Ministry of Justice workers strike, walking out of courthouses
Northern Advocate

Ministry of Justice workers strike, walking out of courthouses

18 Sep 10:25 PM

District and High Courts are closed to the public for two hours today.

Ministry of Justice workers vote on strike action
Northern Advocate

Ministry of Justice workers vote on strike action

05 Sep 09:55 PM

Female employees at the ministry are paid 15 per cent less than men, union says.

Jailhouse snitch's lies 'had no impact' on Tamihere jury
Northern Advocate

Jailhouse snitch's lies 'had no impact' on Tamihere jury

25 Jul 05:30 AM

Secret witnesses' lawyer says it's unlikely false evidence influenced 1990 jury.

Premium
Double killer's weapons project laid bare
Northern Advocate

Double killer's weapons project laid bare

13 Jul 04:00 AM

Quinn Patterson's cache of weapons was bolstered by a former soldier.

Northland double killer's weapons supplier sentenced
Northern Advocate

Northland double killer's weapons supplier sentenced

12 Jul 11:30 PM

Michael John Hayes supplied machine guns to double-murderer Quinn Patterson.

Former trustee sentenced over $1m theft
Northern Advocate

Former trustee sentenced over $1m theft

06 Jul 02:27 AM

The money was stolen from a trust which helps underprivileged people.

'I intend to clear my name' - Commodore fights embassy toilet camera charge
Northern Advocate

'I intend to clear my name' - Commodore fights embassy toilet camera charge

04 Jul 01:00 AM

Criminal trial looms for NZ's former top military attache.

New charge laid against senior police officer accused of sexual crimes
Northern Advocate

New charge laid against senior police officer accused of sexual crimes

19 Jun 09:23 PM

Detective Inspector Kevin Burke is due to go to trial next year.

Northland shooting: Police complete investigation into double-killer
Northern Advocate

Northland shooting: Police complete investigation into double-killer

15 Jun 05:00 PM

Psychotic gunman Quinn Patterson killed two people during a property inspection.

Serial child sex offender has prison sentence reduced
Northern Advocate

Serial child sex offender has prison sentence reduced

12 Jun 01:10 AM

Darren Jolly's criminal history includes more than 110 convictions.

Youth justice funding as age increases to 17
Northern Advocate

Youth justice funding as age increases to 17

17 May 03:00 AM

The justice system is in crisis and failing children and families, says the Government.

Commodore allegedly put camera in NZ Embassy toilets
Northern Advocate

Commodore allegedly put camera in NZ Embassy toilets

03 May 10:45 PM

Police allege secret camera was in NZ's Washington embassy toilets for many months.

Revealed: NZ's top military attache accused of indecent filming
Northern Advocate

Revealed: NZ's top military attache accused of indecent filming

03 May 09:15 PM

The Kiwi accused of making an intimate video in our US embassy is a top military diplomat.

Premium
Witness C revealed: The story behind the secret Tamihere informant
Northern Advocate

Witness C revealed: The story behind the secret Tamihere informant

26 Apr 05:28 AM

Jailhouse witness who lied at David Tamihere's 1990 double-murder trial can now be named.

Witness C  unmasked as double murderer
Northern Advocate

Witness C unmasked as double murderer

26 Apr 03:00 AM

Name suppression revoked for man who testified in the trial for killing of two tourists.

Top cop to stand trial for sexual violation, indecent assault
Northern Advocate

Top cop to stand trial for sexual violation, indecent assault

17 Apr 09:39 PM

A top police officer will go to trial next year.

Serial offender jailed for 11 years for shooting at fleeing cop
Northern Advocate

Serial offender jailed for 11 years for shooting at fleeing cop

08 Mar 11:15 PM

Serial offender sentenced to more than a decade in jail after firing on police officer.

Olympian's teen sex trial: 'A hidden, dirty little secret'
Northern Advocate

Olympian's teen sex trial: 'A hidden, dirty little secret'

12 Feb 11:40 PM

The former Olympic star is accused of sexually assaulting three young girls.

First testimony at Olympian's teen sex trial
Northern Advocate

First testimony at Olympian's teen sex trial

11 Feb 10:20 PM

Arthur Parkin, a three-time Olympian, allegedly assaulted girls in the 1970s and 80s.

Senior cop named in sex assault case
Northern Advocate

Senior cop named in sex assault case

11 Feb 08:22 PM

A senior detective has denied allegations of sexual violation and indecent assault.

Inside honey's criminal black market
Northern Advocate

Inside honey's criminal black market

06 Feb 07:30 AM

Honey industry losing millions annually as apiarists are hit by organised crime.

Man faces manslaughter charge after death of teen at traffic lights
Northern Advocate

Man faces manslaughter charge after death of teen at traffic lights

29 Jan 10:16 PM

Eli Francis Holtz died after he was assaulted in downtown Auckland during the weekend.

'I've shot them ... they're dead on the lawn'
Northern Advocate

'I've shot them ... they're dead on the lawn'

11 Aug 06:10 PM

Exclusive: Quinn Patterson was ready to die, and was preparing to do so for some time.

Man arrested over supplying of guns to killer
Northern Advocate

Man arrested over supplying of guns to killer

08 Aug 03:55 AM

A man has been arrested for allegedly supplying arms to Northland shooter Quinn Patterson.

Revealed: Earlier police visit to gunman's house
Northern Advocate

Revealed: Earlier police visit to gunman's house

29 Jul 01:18 AM

Police had previously visited the property after concerns about an illegal structure.

Quinn Patterson's 'loss of quiet enjoyment'
Northern Advocate

Quinn Patterson's 'loss of quiet enjoyment'

28 Jul 04:28 AM

Quinn Paterson once enjoyed western films and a quiet life in an idyllic Northland bay.

Suspected Northland gunman 'protective' of his property
Northern Advocate

Suspected Northland gunman 'protective' of his property

26 Jul 09:32 PM

The man who fatally shot two women has been described by neighbours as "a loner".

Shot in cold blood: Mother, daughter in shooting tragedy named
Northern Advocate

Shot in cold blood: Mother, daughter in shooting tragedy named

26 Jul 05:00 PM

Two women dead, man injured in 'out of the blue' shooting.

Schoolkids face rough voyage off island
Northern Advocate

Schoolkids face rough voyage off island

10 Mar 04:00 AM

School hires skipper to ferry students off Great Barrier Island in rough weather.

Dog-dragging incident: 'Horrible accident'
Northern Advocate

Dog-dragging incident: 'Horrible accident'

09 Feb 07:10 AM

A dog owner said incident that saw a dog dragged to its death was a "horrible accident".

SPCA investigate reports of dog dragging
Northern Advocate

SPCA investigate reports of dog dragging

07 Feb 04:00 PM

SPCA investigating a report of a dog being dragged behind an SUV in the Far North.

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