Jared Savage
Investigative Journalist
Jared Savage, an Investigative Reporter for New Zealand’s Herald, has reported on some of the most high-profile and controversial cases in recent New Zealand history.
I’m Jared Savage and I’ve been a reporter since 2004 where I landed my first job at an Auckland suburban newspaper after completing a Bachelor of Communications at AUT. Journalism has allowed me to travel the country, and the world, to report on ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I’m constantly amazed at the generosity of those who have invited me into their homes. Often, they are sharing the most traumatic moments of their lives, and their trust is something that cannot be taken for granted. I’ve covered the natural disasters of the Samoan tsunami and the Christchurch earthquakes, dodgy political donations, a mayoral sex scandal, two Rugby World Cups, but somehow keep gravitating towards the drama of the courtroom. I’ve reported on some of the most high-profile and controversial cases in recent New Zealand history; the Kahui twins, Scott Guy and Chris Cairns’ perjury trial in London to name a few. Lately, I’ve taken a special interest in the evolution of organised crime in this country, in particular the millions of dollars made from the lucrative meth trade and the devastating social and health impacts of the ongoing crisis. It’s my firm belief that sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Check out Jared’s latest content
‘We’ve got a big problem': Meth use in NZ spikes to record high
Consumption doubled in the second half of 2024, according to wastewater testing.
Alleged boss of Mongrel Mob drug ring is son of gang’s slain president
Steve Taiatini was vocal about dangers of meth before his death. His son has been charged.
Boy, 8, killed in suspicious circumstances can now be named
'Monster', was shouted in court as a 25-year-old woman appeared in relation to his death.
Guns, drugs and gang violence: Major organised crime probe ends in seizures, arrests
ANALYSIS: Operation Highwater reminder of problem of gangs in NZ's small towns.
Major police probe prevents tangi shooting and attempted murder of rival gang member
Police seized illegal drugs and firearms and restrained assets worth $800k.
Inside story: When police took down the Comanchero hierarchy
Exclusive book extract on how detectives investigated the Comancheros motorcycle gang.
Ponsonby shooting: Police probe if revolver found in lake was murder weapon
They are cut-down Alfa Carbines, which have fast become the favoured gun for gang members.
Police pack rapist Brad Shipton dies after long battle with dementia
Rape victim of notorious detective hopes other women can bury their trauma with him.
Inside the 5-year search for justice after innocent man killed in gang revenge
Two men were shot dead weeks apart in the same second-hand store in Tauranga.
Mongrel Mob boss' last interview: Slain gangster on prison, suicide, meth addiction
The tough-looking gangster shared his private pain in an interview before his death.
Gangster’s Paradise: The inside story of how ‘The Sheriff’ cleaned up Kawerau
The investigation loosened the Mongrel Mob’s grip on a small rural town.
Murder trial witness recounts ‘terrifying’ encounter with Mongrel Mob
The witness came home to find door ajar, and friend David Kuka "gasping for air".
Crown alleges Mongrel Mob trio responsible for murder to ‘avenge’ fellow gang member
The Tauranga man was shot twice just weeks after a gang member was killed at same address.
Rebels gang boss made at least $1m dealing drugs but loses lifestyle block, cash, cars, motorcycles
Gang leader forfeits criminal proceeds after police investigation into financial affairs.
Revealed: Why gang boss will stay inside special ‘prison within a prison’ for high-risk inmates
Mongols president has been in solitary confinement for nearly 3 years.
Fire at property where Mongrel Mob leader Steve Taiatini was killed
Firefighters called overnight to blaze at address where Steve Taiaini was struck by ute.
One more year: Man sentenced for role in gang plot to smuggle 1.5 tonnes of cocaine
Lionel McDonald was already in prison for 138kg meth haul when hit with new drug charges.
Inside the two-horse race for one of NZ Police’s top positions
One - or both - of these police leaders will be the next official deputy commissioner.
Exclusive: Alleged ‘Mr Big’ behind 500kg drug shipment extradited from Spain to NZ
Alleged drug kingpin appeared in NZ court, granted interim name suppression.
Malachi's murder: Inside the custody battle that left 5yo with killer caregiver
Family Court file reveals desperate effort by Malachi's cousin to be his legal guardian.
Revealed: The plot to smuggle 200kg of cocaine from a Mexican cartel into Tauranga
Port worker was promised $250,000 for his role in drug smuggling plan
216kg meth bust: Photos reveal the undercover police operation to catch former Olympic boxer
A former Olympic boxer was caught with more than 200kg of drugs in Hamilton.
Former Olympic boxer caught with 216kg of meth
A former Olympic boxer was caught with more than 200kg of drugs in Hamilton.
Operation Silk: Inside the biggest gang trial of 2022
Mongols gang insider gave evidence of guns, drugs and cash in marathon court case.
NZ's most wanted: $50m drug bust fugitive arrested in Spain
EXCLUSIVE: Police seek extradition over 500kg drug shipment smuggled into NZ.
'It's a no brainer' - Study of groundbreaking drug project finds stunning drop in crime
Traditional rivals on drug policy urge Government to urgently fulfil election promise.
Mistaken identity murder: Man charged over 'execution' of innocent man four years ago
Nearly four years after shocking death, a man will appear in court charged with murder.
The 5-year hunt for Comancheros gang boss
Exclusive: NZ in talks with Turkey over return of 'international commander'.
DNA breakthrough gives police new hope of solving 1980 murder of 6yo
Police find crucial evidence in Alicia O'Reilly homicide thought to have been destroyed.
NZ's meth crisis: The rural towns bearing the brunt
Wastewater data obtained by the Herald provides a stark view of our national drug problem.
Guns for meth: How drug dealer used frontman to buy cache of firearms
Meth dealer got a discount for bulk buying, sold 'cut down' handguns on the black market.
Analysis: One name sticks out in mammoth drug bust
Aussie gangster on the run in the Mediterranean among the names listed in court docs.
Exclusive: New police blitz to target gangs and guns
Gang turf war and gun violence leads police to launch nationwide operation on firearms.
'Meth easier to buy than milk' - Emails to NZ's top cop led to downfall of Mob boss
Tired of the gang running the town, a constable wrote directly to the Police Commissioner.
The inside story of how police took down the Comanchero gang
Exclusive book extract on how detectives investigated the Comancheros motorcycle gang.
Gangland: Inside NZ's biggest cocaine bust
The "fishing trip" that resulted in a huge cocaine haul.
'Nevaeh would still be alive': Grandparents called police after assault. She was dead the next day
Great-grandparents who phoned police to warn of father's erratic behavior want answers.
Alicia O'Reilly cold case: Police re-open investigation into 1980 rape and murder of 6yo girl
Forty years on, police review cold-case rape and murder of six-year-old girl in Auckland.
Student swept to her death: Calls for swimming ban after tragedy
Power company wants swimming ban below dam where student drowned after saving friends.
Rise and fall of Todd Muller: The man who could have been PM
Throughout his life, people had thought Todd Muller could be Prime Minister.
Six shootings: The Mongols and the violent turf war over Tauranga
Police on covert investigation quietly intervened to stop further violence in gang wars.
Gang raids: Police target Mongols MC across Bay of Plenty
Homes linked to notorious Australian motorcycle gang searched by police in armed raids.
'People I hang around with kill people for that': How changes in gangs led to 'uncontrolled growth'
Why a subtle change in traditional gang hierarchy led to "uncontrolled growth" in numbers.
Revealed: Shooting victim was Bay Mobster
Man shot dead in Auckland was Bay of Plenty gang member.
Gang tensions at boiling point: Greazy Dogs face off with Mongol Nation
Greazy Dog gang turns up in force at house of senior patched Mongol.
From lavish parties to a prison cell: Head Hunters' $1m man jailed for 12 years
Head Hunter boasted of making $10,000 every day from meth. Now he's going to prison.
Buried in shallow grave: Fourth man in court over Desert Rd murder case
Fourth man arrested in connection to human remains found buried near the Desert Rd.
Buried in shallow grave: Two men charged with murder
Two men charged with murder after human remains found buried in a shallow grave.
'Got it bro': The inside story of how undercover cops snared meth, guns in gang sting
Undercover officers paid $52,500 to Rotorua duo in a single drug deal.
Buried in shallow grave: Arrest in Desert Rd body mystery
Man charged with accessory to murder after the fact in Desert Rd body case.
Desert Rd body: Police search second Auckland property in homicide inquiry
Police release first photo of Ricky Wang, missing since 2017, and search city apartment.
Man charged with threat to kill Simon Bridges, family
Man appears in court after social media threat to kill National Party leader, family.
Gangs of New Zealand: Inside the 'uncontrolled growth' of the gang scene
Gang scene explodes with new patches and numbers, up 50 per cent to record 7000 members.
Police hand one of NZ's oldest cold cases to Coroner
Brother of boy missing since 1957 hope Coroner will grill witnesses at inquest hearing.
Inside the gang tensions which brought a city to a standstill
Arrival of Ozzie bikie gangs has upset the fragile equilibrium of the NZ gang scene.
Mistaken identity: 'Brutal' death of innocent man linked to gangster shooting
Today marks two years since an innocent man was "executed" in a case of mistaken identity.
'It's a cop-out': Frustrated father pleads for swim ban
If councils can outlaw dog poo, they can ban swimming in danger zone says grieving father.
Tragedy repeats: Mum, daughter killed by drunk jealous partners
Luana Raukawa was killed by her jealous lover. Then her daughter suffered the same fate.
For sale: Judge orders assets of Mob president to be sold before meth trial
Judge orders sale of gang president's $90,000 truck but not his 'relatively rare' car.
Revealed: What Police Commissioner told deputy after critical IPCA report into bullying complaints
Chief Ombudsman forces Police Minister to release redacted letter in the public interest.
'Sloppy police work': Why cannabis evidence was used in $241k civil forfeiture
Nine years after a mistaken anonymous tip, an alleged cannabis grower has paid $241,000.
Police raid meth 'super lab' in Tauranga
Police say the clan lab in rural Tauranga is one of the biggest ever found in New Zealand.
Record-breaking $20m cocaine case: Last minute guilty pleas
Man in wetsuit swam to ship in Tauranga's port at night to find cocaine hidden in hull.
Hot car baby death: Appeal against manslaughter sentence thrown out
'She had no reason to expect that anyone else would ensure Isaiah's safety' - top judge.
'Either way it's murder': Crown closes case in Colin Jeffries-Smith trial
A key question for the jury is whether he was justified in shooting Lance Waite.
Equestrian, partner face sex charges against young girls
EXCLUSIVE: Sex charges laid after Cambridge woman allegedly groomed girls for partner.
Fighting the Demon: Red truck a symbol of everything wrong in Kawerau
Around 600 people were smoking meth in the town of 6000, say police.
Fighting the Demon: Meth, the mobster and his mum
Nicky Goldsbury saw an explosion on TV. Then her only son taken away by armed police.
'The Trap': Murder trial hears gang member shot twice in the back
Rival alleged to have given shooter a place to hide and new clothes, court hears.
Pair deny murder, accessory charges in death of Tauranga man
Crown alleges shooter was given somewhere to hide, new clothes, a SIM card and advice.
Minister warned 'gaps' in gun laws impossible to police
'Negligible' chance of discovering licensed firearms owner breaking the law, say police.
Mum tells of horrifying moment she found her baby dead
Lacey Te Whetu gave evidence at her mother's manslaughter trial.
'We cooked the baby': Dad's evidence in manslaughter trial
Defence lawyer points out "massive memory blanks" because of synthetic cannabis.
Daughter to give evidence against mother at manslaughter trial
Woman who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her baby is testifying against her mother.
New Zealander of the Year 2018 People's Choice: Rachael de Jong
A young woman who put the lives of her friends ahead of her own has been honoured.
Wally Haumaha saga: Police accept IPCA report, Commissioner Mike Bush to deal with issues as employment matter
No grounds for PM to sack top cop, refers IPCA report to police as employment matter.
Top cop Wally Haumaha's 'inappropriate, unprofessional' conduct
Top cop's behaviour while running justice project was 'inappropriate and unprofessional'.
Wally Haumaha inquiry: Govt releases QC's report
Findings of QC into appointment process of deputy commissioner finally released.
Wally Haumaha report to be released 'very shortly' says PM
Cabinet has received an oral briefing on the probe into the Haumaha appointment.
Ross saga: Cathedral Club donor's identity revealed
The identity of the secret $10,000 "Cathedral Club" donor is now known.