Emma Russell, Multimedia Journalist at New Zealand's Herald, uncovers health investigations and writes daily news following the country's biggest health system shake up and continued repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kia ora, I'm Emma. I'm really proud of two major investigations I've uncovered since starting at the New Zealand Herald in 2018. The first exposed inequalities in cancer care in a 2019 investigation called ‘Cancer: Why can’t we get it right?’. The second was a 2022 campaign called ‘In her Head’, which uncovered serious issues with how women are treated in New Zealand’s health system, and the severe neglect that some wāhine had faced. I also write daily news including following the country’s biggest health system shakeup and continued repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Growing up, I watched people I love struggle with their mental health, with them becoming stripped of a voice and left feeling powerless. I observed the role the media has to influence positive change. This led me to study journalism, with history and English, at the University of Canterbury and through a postgraduate diploma at Auckland University of Technology. I learnt about three key staples to journalism - holding powers to account, shining a light on injustices, and giving people a voice. Many of the stories I cover are harrowing and confronting. Those stories have stayed with me, but by sharing them we provoke meaningful conversation. To me, journalism is more than a job, it’s a privilege and one I am committed to never taking for granted
Revealed: NZ's best sausage
A grill master decided to risk it with their choice of sausage ingredients this year.
Blair Vining fought tirelessly to fix cancer care in NZ. He just lost his own battle
His death comes after a fight like no other.
'Cancer hero' gives Government plan a 6/10
Blair Vining's dying wish: A national cancer agency so other Kiwis don't have to suffer.
All Blacks back dying dad's final stand for change
A group of All Blacks turned out to show their support for Blair Vining's petition.
Danger at the beach: Rubbish blamed for surge in seaside injuries
Researchers are warning rubbish is becoming a "growing hazard" at New Zealand's beaches.
Last chance to save 2-year-old son
"You don't realise how much fight you have until you are faced with something like this."
$750m for restoring hospitals' urgent building needs
Funding to fix hospital buildings is "a start", but more is needed.
Among the fish galore, here are the winners
A 9.5kg snapper, a 12kg kingfish and 3.5kg crayfish - not bad Whanganui.
Planting seeds of community enterprise
An idea started by murder victim Craig Rippon is taking root in Whanganui.
Fishers chase big one at record comp
Hundreds line up to weigh their "best catch of the day".
Affco in court over infected Whanganui employee
Affco is accused of causing a Whanganui employee to become seriously ill.
Judge rules no compensation for injured farmer
ACC argued Mr Crothers had regained capacity and was no longer entitled to compensation.
Cutting the ribbon to what seemed an 'impossible dream'
Castlecliff Health to cut the ribbon on new site on Saturday
Ruapehu's only doctor steps down
Ruapehu's only general practitioner Dr Jim Corbett has stepped down.
Horse abusers in clear despite outcry
No prosecution for the culprits who abused Riding for Disabled horses.
Bid to save Whanganui riders' safe haven
Last straw for Whanganui riding facility to obtain land.
Sheep killed, stolen in broad daylight
'He captured it, killed it, skinned it in the paddock, then dragged it to his Ute...'
'It's Peter Jackson eat your heart out kind of stuff'
School's amazing maze keeps rural teacher employed.
Worker: 'We were all exposed...we could barely breathe and see'
Social media attacks on toxic ammonia leak prompt explanation from Affco Imlay plant
Helping farmers get back on their feet after early dry
'When circumstances are happening beyond control that can be huge for the farmer'
Could this be the country's oldest tot train?
Whanganui's Tot Town Train has been running for over 50 years.
Three Affco workers exposed to toxic gas
Three workers receive medical treatment after significant ammonia leak.
Dry season delays cattle fair to February
Fordell's annual cattle fair will still be going ahead.
Diamond anniversary couple reminisce over life in the wilderness
Whanganui couple mark 60 years of married life
No doctor means patients move elsewhere
Within four years Patea's patient numbers have dropped from 2900 to 2200.
Year in Review: Rural cameras help snap poachers
Year in Review: Rural communities used CCTV cameras to fight back against stock poachers.
Riders suffer after traumatic horse havoc
With five of the ten horses out of action, it's the riders who are suffering.
Swapping school shoes for gumboots
The ultimate aim is to eradicate predators within the school grounds and eventually beyond
400km walk done, but fight continues
Fighting against three truckloads of seabed being dredged every day for 35 years.
Castlecliff's beach carpark trashed
The aftermath of a family beach party leaves residents fuming.
Protecting kiwis on death trap at a time
Whanganui farmer aims to eradicate pests from his bush land to save kiwis
Awareness week embraces nature
Whanganui gets in touch with nature for mental health awareness week
'Living what we preach,' says St Mary's teacher
Over 500 trees were planted on a bank of Mount St Joseph yesterday.
What do we call Castlecliff's newest resident?
There's a new addition to Castlecliff's driftwood population.
New vet service soon to be raining cats and dogs
There's a new vet in town and they come with a twist.
Watch this space Whanganui
Questions may be answered about the mysterious service station on Carlton Ave.
Town left without a doctor
'Worst it's been since 1997' says medical trust as Patea loses its last doctor.
'Pumpkin' tea proves hit with Kiwis
Gabriela Mercado is bringing a tea traditionally served in a pumpkin to Whanganui.