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Akula Sharma
Multimedia journalist, NZ Herald

Multimedia journalist, NZ Herald

We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

Check out Akula’s latest content
Wild weather looms: Late winter storm set to bring gales, thunderstorms, heavy snow
The Country

Wild weather looms: Late winter storm set to bring gales, thunderstorms, heavy snow

30 Jul 10:00 PM
Runaway tractor v house: Frantic driver ran after vehicle
The Country

Runaway tractor v house: Frantic driver ran after vehicle

11 Apr 10:03 PM

'The driver was waving his hands in the air while running down the hill'.

Teen hunters, 15, missing in East Coast forest found
The Country

Teen hunters, 15, missing in East Coast forest found

11 Apr 02:37 AM

The two boys had not returned from a hunting trip.

Southern west coast braces for heavy rain, clouds over North ease
The Country

Southern west coast braces for heavy rain, clouds over North ease

23 Mar 08:36 PM

Meteorologist says the weather across New Zealand is a mix of sunshine and rain.

'New risk': Transpower warns of power cuts after slip threatens towers
The Country

'New risk': Transpower warns of power cuts after slip threatens towers

01 Mar 08:32 PM

A slip has threatened the country's power supply to the north.

Cyclone Gabrielle: Elderly Hawke’s Bay couple airlifted off roof after 111 call made in Invercargill by relatives
The Country

Cyclone Gabrielle: Elderly Hawke’s Bay couple airlifted off roof after 111 call made in Invercargill by relatives

22 Feb 02:01 AM

The Pakowhai couple waited for five hours on the roof for the helicopter to help them.

‘Devastated’: 50,000 chickens dead in fire at Waikato farm
The Country

‘Devastated’: 50,000 chickens dead in fire at Waikato farm

06 Feb 06:17 AM

A blaze at Zeagold chicken farm in Waikato took the lives of 75,000 egg-laying hens today.

'Heartbreak': Lost pets, flooded paddocks, sanctuaries; animal rescue teams on the ground
The Country

'Heartbreak': Lost pets, flooded paddocks, sanctuaries; animal rescue teams on the ground

30 Jan 02:30 AM

Many pets are missing and some are grieving the loss of their beloved companions.

‘Happened really fast’: Flood-trapped Aucklanders flee for safety, drowning cows rescued
The Country

‘Happened really fast’: Flood-trapped Aucklanders flee for safety, drowning cows rescued

27 Jan 09:08 PM

The flood has left some residents homeless and seeking refuge, farms are submerged.

Gisborne beach tragedy: 9000 locals sign petition for overhaul of forestry industry
The Country

Gisborne beach tragedy: 9000 locals sign petition for overhaul of forestry industry

26 Jan 11:17 PM

A boy suffered fatal injuries in the surf at woody debris-filled Waikanae beach.

Beach tragedy: Boy killed in surf log fall, mayor vows inquiry into wood debris
The Country

Beach tragedy: Boy killed in surf log fall, mayor vows inquiry into wood debris

26 Jan 12:32 AM

The youngster was climbing and standing on the floating log in the shallows: witness.

'Be prepared': Warning to brace for new storm, residents at fresh cut off risk
The Country

'Be prepared': Warning to brace for new storm, residents at fresh cut off risk

16 Jan 08:28 PM

Tairāwhiti residents have been told to have enough supplies for at least three days.

Hours of torrential rain set to hit parts of Aotearoa today, thunderstorm warnings in place
The Country

Hours of torrential rain set to hit parts of Aotearoa today, thunderstorm warnings in place

21 Dec 09:13 PM

Motorists are still being warned of possible thunderstorms.

Month's worth of rain in a day: Half a metre to fall on West Coast
The Country

Month's worth of rain in a day: Half a metre to fall on West Coast

31 Oct 10:03 PM

Eastern regions in the North Island set to see mid to high 20s tomorrow.

Cellphone tower stand-off: Farmer uses digger to protest giant mast in driveway
The Country

Cellphone tower stand-off: Farmer uses digger to protest giant mast in driveway

30 Aug 09:46 PM

His gateway hadn't been sprayed with roundup so the access was reckoned to be unused.

Weather: Risk of slips and flood in lower North Island as bad weather continues
The Country

Weather: Risk of slips and flood in lower North Island as bad weather continues

28 Jul 12:01 AM

Rain is easing in parts of South Island, occasional showers expected across the nation.

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