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Neil Reid
Senior reporter

Neil Reid is a Hawke’s Bay-based senior reporter for the New Zealand Herald who has covered some of the country's biggest news and sporting events since 1992.

Since graduating with a Diploma in Journalism in 1991, Neil Reid has spent the past three decades on the frontline of the New Zealand media landscape. During that time, he has been a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery – covering several elections – and a raft of live news events including the Raurimu massacre, the fatal Ansett Flight 703 on the outskirts of Palmerston North, the White Island disaster and more recently the deadly Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay. His reporting has also taken him overseas to cover news events, including the 2009 MV Princess Ashika ferry sinking in Tonga which claimed 74 lives. Neil has a huge interest in sport, and as a full-time sports reporter and editor travelled to and covered three Rugby World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2011), two Olympic Games (2000 in Sydney and 2004 in Athens), the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, was ringside at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay for David Tua’s 2000 world heavyweight boxing title fight against Lennox Lewis, and has also covered numerous All Blacks, Kiwis and Black Caps tours. Based in Napier since January 2022, he covers a wide range of news and sport; the latter including a passion for the East Coast rugby team and Napier City Rovers football side. Away from daily reporting, he has also written three books; including ghostwriting former Black Caps star Craig McMillan’s 2009 autobiography, Out of the Park. Neil can be contacted neil.reid@nzme.co.nz. You can follow him on Twitter at @NeilReidnz.

Check out Neil’s latest content
‘Excruciating fight’: Out-of-court settlement for family bereaved by White Island tragedy
Rotorua Daily Post

‘Excruciating fight’: Out-of-court settlement for family bereaved by White Island tragedy

23 Nov 04:00 PM
'Verifiable nightmare': White Island survivors battled horror 387C heat
Rotorua Daily Post

'Verifiable nightmare': White Island survivors battled horror 387C heat

05 Apr 06:00 AM

Court documents reveal US tourists' battle for survival as Whakaari/White Island erupted.

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White Island victims' multimillion-dollar civil claim heads to mediation
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island victims' multimillion-dollar civil claim heads to mediation

23 Mar 04:00 PM

Victims' lawyer says no amount of money will erase the pain inflicted by the tragedy.

Premium
The hunt: Fugitive dad Tom Phillips urged to give up, police told to offer reward
Rotorua Daily Post

The hunt: Fugitive dad Tom Phillips urged to give up, police told to offer reward

10 Feb 05:30 AM

More than two years ago Marokopa dad vanished with his three young children.

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The hunt: Fugitive dad Tom Phillips urged to give up, police told to offer reward
Rotorua Daily Post

The hunt: Fugitive dad Tom Phillips urged to give up, police told to offer reward

02 Dec 04:00 PM

Almost two years ago Marokopa dad vanished with his three young children.

Live: 'Leave immediately' - part of Hawke's Bay urged to evacuate; new storm warning as death toll rises; Looters raid flood-stricken areas
Rotorua Daily Post

Live: 'Leave immediately' - part of Hawke's Bay urged to evacuate; new storm warning as death toll rises; Looters raid flood-stricken areas

15 Feb 09:36 PM

A young Hawke's Bay child is among the victims of the devastating cyclone.

Pothole nation: ‘This is the worst the roads have ever been’
Rotorua Daily Post

Pothole nation: ‘This is the worst the roads have ever been’

27 Dec 04:00 PM

Road crews gear up for major repair job as motorists fume over state of the network.

Code-swapper: Speedy Leopard pounces after sporting switch
Rotorua Daily Post

Code-swapper: Speedy Leopard pounces after sporting switch

31 Oct 11:13 PM

Former top domestic cricket player tosses in bat for football's National League.

Premium
Moving on up: Inside NZ's lowest-ranked rugby province's revival
Rotorua Daily Post

Moving on up: Inside NZ's lowest-ranked rugby province's revival

24 Aug 01:30 AM

King Country's on a mission to end 100th season on a high after 2021's last-placed finish.

'Red' Conway: Rugby star who had finger amputated to make the All Blacks dies
Rotorua Daily Post

'Red' Conway: Rugby star who had finger amputated to make the All Blacks dies

26 May 10:36 PM

Rugby icon had no regrets having finger amputated to make the All Blacks.

'Pretty scary': Water sucked out of NZ bay after Tongan blast, campers evacuated
Rotorua Daily Post

'Pretty scary': Water sucked out of NZ bay after Tongan blast, campers evacuated

15 Jan 04:13 PM

Tongan eruption leads to marine warnings for New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa.

Watch: Up to 100 people isolating after close contact with Omicron case
Rotorua Daily Post

Watch: Up to 100 people isolating after close contact with Omicron case

29 Dec 10:45 PM

Covid-19 expert fears UK musician could have picked up variant in MIQ.

Live: Return 2 work; Middlemore Hospital infection case questions
Rotorua Daily Post

Live: Return 2 work; Middlemore Hospital infection case questions

07 Sep 10:29 PM

The Auckland region remains the only part of New Zealand in level 4 lockdown.

Live: Updated vaccine plan reveal ahead of alert level change
Rotorua Daily Post

Live: Updated vaccine plan reveal ahead of alert level change

06 Sep 10:29 PM

Level changes set to drop, but concern remains over Auckland mystery cases.

'I said the Lord's prayer': White Island survivor recalls deadly eruption
Rotorua Daily Post

'I said the Lord's prayer': White Island survivor recalls deadly eruption

29 Jul 05:00 PM

Survivor says eruption aftermath felt like "the whole world was going to fall in on you".

'Really concerning': Cruel online trolls target White Island survivor
Rotorua Daily Post

'Really concerning': Cruel online trolls target White Island survivor

14 Jul 10:49 PM

White Island survivor opens up on online trolls and PTSD battle.

Welcome home: World champion Black Caps arrive in Auckland
Rotorua Daily Post

Welcome home: World champion Black Caps arrive in Auckland

25 Jun 10:12 PM

The Black Caps now face a 14-day stint in managed isolation.

Specialist White Island response crew discussed before tragedy
Rotorua Daily Post

Specialist White Island response crew discussed before tragedy

15 May 05:00 PM

In tragic timing, a response simulation had also been planned for 2 months after eruption.

Covid 19 coronavirus: Next Covid update tomorrow
Rotorua Daily Post

Covid 19 coronavirus: Next Covid update tomorrow

15 May 12:45 AM

Anyone in NZ who was at Melbourne places of interest must call Healthline for advice.

Premium
White Island tragedy: The lives cut short when tourism trip ended in disaster
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island tragedy: The lives cut short when tourism trip ended in disaster

08 Dec 06:01 PM

Tourists and tour guides made up the 22 people tragically killed on White Island.

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14-hour shifts: Surgeon describes White Island medical heroics
Rotorua Daily Post

14-hour shifts: Surgeon describes White Island medical heroics

08 Dec 04:00 PM

The Australian and NZ Burn Association on the medical response to White Island disaster.

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'Cause for celebration': White Island guide turns 20 a year after almost dying
Rotorua Daily Post

'Cause for celebration': White Island guide turns 20 a year after almost dying

08 Dec 05:37 AM

Jake Milbank will turn 20 tomorrow - a year on from the day he almost died.

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'No escape': White Island tragedy a disaster waiting to happen
Rotorua Daily Post

'No escape': White Island tragedy a disaster waiting to happen

07 Dec 04:00 PM

A leading volcanologist says there would have been "no escape' for those on White Island

Premium
Parents' legacy lives on for young children orphaned by White Island tragedy
Rotorua Daily Post

Parents' legacy lives on for young children orphaned by White Island tragedy

06 Dec 04:00 PM

Three children orphaned in the White Island tragedy are learning parents' legacy.

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'Breaking point': Burns surgeon talks of White Island horror, loss and emotional trauma
Rotorua Daily Post

'Breaking point': Burns surgeon talks of White Island horror, loss and emotional trauma

05 Dec 04:00 PM

A top burns surgeon says he was pushed to breaking point by the White Island tragedy.

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White Island body recovery mission: 'The team told me they needed to stop'
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island body recovery mission: 'The team told me they needed to stop'

05 Dec 04:00 PM

The leader of the White Island body recovery has spoken of the dangerous mission

'I felt for the kid': Brother of hero guide's bond with young White Island survivor
Rotorua Daily Post

'I felt for the kid': Brother of hero guide's bond with young White Island survivor

04 Dec 04:00 PM

Brave White Island survivor forms bond with family of fallen hero Kiwi guide.

'Carry on the good he did': Charity event in White Island hero's legacy
Rotorua Daily Post

'Carry on the good he did': Charity event in White Island hero's legacy

31 Oct 04:00 PM

Hayden Marshall-Inman both lived and died a hero to others he didn't know personally.

Premium
White Island tragedy: Legal fight ramps up over eruption which killed 21
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island tragedy: Legal fight ramps up over eruption which killed 21

16 Oct 04:00 PM

Lawsuits in America and Australia are set to follow the White Island tragedy.

White Island: Funeral on hold for teen seven months after tragedy
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island: Funeral on hold for teen seven months after tragedy

18 Jul 05:00 PM

A funeral is yet to be held for one of the youngest Whakaari/White Island victims.

Injured White Island guide: 'Good to be home'
Rotorua Daily Post

Injured White Island guide: 'Good to be home'

17 Mar 10:29 PM

Tour guide Kelsey Waghorn badly injured in the White Island eruption is finally back home.

'You must have seen things that no person should see'
Rotorua Daily Post

'You must have seen things that no person should see'

08 Mar 04:00 PM

The family of two White Island eruption victims pays tribute to military heroes.

The day the volcano erupted: White Island lifesaver - 'I am not a hero'
Rotorua Daily Post

The day the volcano erupted: White Island lifesaver - 'I am not a hero'

07 Mar 04:00 PM

A Hamilton pastor who saved White Island eruption victims says he is no hero.

'A marathon and not a sprint': White Island pair face painful two-year recovery
Rotorua Daily Post

'A marathon and not a sprint': White Island pair face painful two-year recovery

04 Mar 09:41 PM

Americans who survived the White Island tragedy have opened up about their recovery

White Island 'legacy': Family's $100,000 drive to help Kiwi kids
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island 'legacy': Family's $100,000 drive to help Kiwi kids

29 Feb 04:00 PM

Family of a couple who died on White Island have launched a charitable foundation.

'I miss you all': White Island survivor's moving message
Rotorua Daily Post

'I miss you all': White Island survivor's moving message

19 Feb 11:00 PM

White Island survivor Stephanie Browitt is now out of a coma and back on social media.

White Island tragedy: Survivor's son will never take love for granted
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island tragedy: Survivor's son will never take love for granted

14 Feb 04:00 PM

Among the first words a White Island survivor told her children was her love for them

White Island: Survivors share photo just before eruption
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island: Survivors share photo just before eruption

09 Feb 07:33 PM

A White Island survivor says she and her husband were buried "in hot volcanic ash".

White Island heartbreak: Badly burned mother can't attend daughter's funeral
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island heartbreak: Badly burned mother can't attend daughter's funeral

08 Feb 04:00 PM

White Island survivor Lisa Dallow is too badly injured to attend daughter Zoe's funeral.

GoFakeMe: Bogus White Island scam appals grieving widower
Rotorua Daily Post

GoFakeMe: Bogus White Island scam appals grieving widower

03 Feb 08:02 PM

An online fundraiser targeting the widower of a hero White Island nurse has been removed

Scammers target family of hero White Island nurse
Rotorua Daily Post

Scammers target family of hero White Island nurse

03 Feb 05:14 AM

Family of hero White Island nurse who died in car crash targeted by scammers.

White Island teen survivor: 'Thank you for your kindness'
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island teen survivor: 'Thank you for your kindness'

21 Jan 10:36 PM

Jake Milbank was leading a tour on the island when it erupted.

Premium
White Island heroics: Young guide helped others without a gas mask
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island heroics: Young guide helped others without a gas mask

18 Jan 04:00 PM

Young White Island tour guide Tipene Maangi's selfless heroics are revealed

Landings could be off limits under future White Island tours
Rotorua Daily Post

Landings could be off limits under future White Island tours

08 Jan 04:00 PM

Future Whakaari/White Island might not feature landings on the volcanic island.

Premium
White Island a 'memorial' for heroic tour guide killed saving others
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island a 'memorial' for heroic tour guide killed saving others

08 Jan 04:00 PM

Whakaari tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman's family remember his heroics and generosity.

'He's bloody amazing': White Island survivor's positive news
Rotorua Daily Post

'He's bloody amazing': White Island survivor's positive news

02 Jan 04:00 PM

Teen critical still in ICU and facing a long struggle — but is talking to family.

White Island survivor who suffered horrific burns is 'up and alert'
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island survivor who suffered horrific burns is 'up and alert'

01 Jan 02:51 AM

Family of a White Island tragedy survivor has revealed he is "up and alert".

White Island tragedy: Mother and daughter die in bitter twist of fate
Rotorua Daily Post

White Island tragedy: Mother and daughter die in bitter twist of fate

18 Dec 10:45 PM

Brisbane mother and daughter rescheduled visit after tour was cancelled two years ago.

Premium
Revealed: Secret motivation behind Sam Cane's test comeback
Rotorua Daily Post

Revealed: Secret motivation behind Sam Cane's test comeback

26 Jul 05:00 PM

Sam Cane's mum has revealed the secret inspiration behind their son's injury return.

The truth behind Steven Adams' Tall Blacks snub
Rotorua Daily Post

The truth behind Steven Adams' Tall Blacks snub

18 Jun 04:45 AM

NBA star's former mentor lifts the lid on his continued Tall Blacks unavailability.

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