James Pocock
Chief Reporter, Gisborne Herald
James Pocock is the chief reporter for the Gisborne Herald.
James always knew he wanted to be a journalist and went straight to university after finishing school. He graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Media Studies and Journalism in 2020 and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism in 2021. He returned to his home region to write for Hawke's Bay Today. During his time there, he covered breaking news and was on the ground through Cyclone Gabrielle. He also wrote features, with a focus on the environment, local government and post-cyclone issues in the region. In 2024 he moved to Tairāwhiti and became chief reporter for the Gisborne Herald. He has a passion for writing and hearing people's stories, from highlighting local success to battles with bureaucracy, authority, disaster and tragedy. You can contact James at james.pocock@nzme.co.nz.
Check out James’s latest content
No marlin but plenty of yellowfin at Gisborne’s Bay Bonanza fishing competition
The winners were announced at the Tatapouri-Gisborne Fishing Club on Sunday.
The multi-million dollar mountain of wood removed from Gisborne waterways and beaches
330,301 cubic metres of wood was removed from beaches and river catchments in 2024.
'Horrific': Dog attacks leave more than fifty animals dead in one night
'There were bits of chicken down Nelson Rd.'
German newcomer sees potential in Gisborne apples
A German-owned company is investing in Gisborne's apple industry with an orchard purchase.
Regional emissions fall: Cyclone Gabrielle and other factors at play
Hawke’s Bay was one of the 13 regions where emissions fell last year.
'Perfect storm': The multiple origins of a boutique dairy company's closure
'Predatory pricing', customer payment lag, and a rent increase all hit Origin Earth hard.
'Really pleased': Hawke's Bay growers welcome raft of RSE scheme changes
An increase to the cap, changes to pay and accommodation costs are among the changes.
'Riddled with deer': Rural group arranges feral deer butchery classes
Solving a problem and getting a feed at the same time
Private collector donates unique Te Mata Estate Coleraine collection worth thousands
Private donor Stuart Tustin never set out to create one of NZ's rarest wine collections.
Mission accomplished: Winemaker reflects on 45-year career
The mantle of head winemaker at Mission Estate will now pass to Alex Roper.
What the region wants from $1.2b infrastructure fund
Awatoto flood protection, housing and roads funding, and water security on the wishlist.
The PM wants to double the number of RSE workers - would it help Hawke's Bay?
An industry body is seeking a review of parts of the RSE scheme before any cap increase.
'Don’t take it all on yourself': Hawke's Bay farmers struggling as economic and environmental setbacks collide
Tough economic conditions are compounding with the lasting impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.
'Close the windows': Stink from Hastings business increasing every year, neighbours say
For nearly 60 years it was bearable, neighbours say. Then the fellmongery was expanded.
Rural school bus cuts: Residents fear the end of Te Pohue School
Residents of Te Pōhue want more time to present alternatives to the Ministry of Education.
'Big bill coming his way': Cattle killed after hit by truck
Loose cattle near Eskdale cause chaos.
Watch: Boat on fire at Napier marina
A burning boat sent fire into the skies over Ahuriri, Napier.
Sunflowers from the silt: Community garden teaches Hawke’s Bay sustainable practices
The McCarthy family knew what to put on cyclone-devastated land - a community garden.
'It didn’t come from the river': Town's flooding to be subject of independent investigation
"Some said the water came from the river but it didn’t, it came from behind us."
Ruataniwha dam saga: Does a change of government offer another glimmer of hope?
One of the region's new electorate MPs could be key to the revival of dam concept.
Up close with giants: What it's like to stand beside Hawke's Bay's 'most expensive project'
Amid eye-watering winds, 1100m above sea level, stands a remarkable engineering project.
East Coast young farmers donate $5000 won from helping communities
Young farmers on the East Coast won $5000 to donate for helping their communities.
Pet Day tradition carries on strong for school community at cyclone-hit Patoka
Patoka School students celebrated a return to normal life with their Pet Day on Thursday.
Tūhoe claim Genesis management ‘far more destructive than Gabrielle’
Genesis Energy denies causing damage to the lake environment.
Godwits return from 12,000km trip to Hawke's Bay for summer
Would you travel 12,000km to spend your summer in Napier every year?
Specialised taskforce potential option to tackle heightened wildfire risk
Those who lived through the 2017 Waimārama wildfires have advice for the dry summer.
Cyclone Gabrielle: Insurance claims surpass $1 billion in Hawke’s Bay
About 84 per cent of contents claims have been paid.
Dry horrors: Why Hawke’s Bay’s next drought could be its worst
Region needs to properly prepare for the realities ahead of it, a councillor is warning.
No stone unturned: Locals still battling quarry expansion
Application to expand a gravel quarry in Maraekākaho does not need to consult residents.
Pressure put on council over $400k debt decision
Water company accepts it has to pay but disputes higher amounts.
Council appeals over Ngāruroro dam clarification
Could a Water Conservation Order disrupt plans to build a dam on a Ngāruroro tributary?
Four-bed house with 'good bones' is yours for free - but there's a heartbreaking catch
Abandoned toys lie in the cracks of silt in the lounge, a reminder of what swept through.
'Get out and stay out': Fire chief praises occupants for fleeing fierce Dannevirke fire
Firefighters fought serious fires in Nūhaka and Dannevirke.
'Wahooooooo!!!!!!!!' Eskdale School rejoices after Ministry of Education reverses rebuild changes
Eskdale School has been given the news that their original rebuild plan will go ahead.
Regional council data reveals multi-billion-dollar cost of cyclone for Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay Regional Council data shows the cost of Cyclone Gabrielle so far is over $5b.
'Would cause great anger': Council considering wiping farming group's $400k consent debt
So far $100 has been paid - in the form of two $50 notes thrown towards council leaders.
The river 'hairpin' that sent 4.5m of water through and over homes
Duncan McPhail's home of 40 years could be declared as unsafe to live. He has other ideas.
Truckload of trout could restore population after cyclone
The trout from Tūrangi travelled by truck with the aim of restocking Hawke's Bay rivers.
'Confiscated': Hawke’s Bay flood victims fear they'll be forced off their land
'All it does is throw up more questions - it feels like we're having land confiscated.'
Getting women hooked on fly-fishing
Hawke’s Bay Fish and Game aims to get more women hooked on fly fishing.
$1m boost for compost firm as PM visits Hawke’s Bay
A swarm of politicians visited the region to talk about cyclone recovery.
Battle for Ruataniwha groundwater continues with new appeal
Seven farming groups are appealing the rejection of their application for CHB water.
The Gabrielle tree: Mānuka touted as Hawke's Bay looks for flood prevention
When Bola struck, the response was to plant pine. Would a different tree have been better?
Hawke's Bay growers need rule change to burn flood debris
Regional council faces difficult decision about debris.
Making room for rivers: The flooding conversation that Hawke’s Bay needs to have
Widening Hawke's Bay rivers would come at a huge cost, but it could also save billions.
Monstrous wasp nest found in Hawke’s Bay shed
The back shed. Warm. Rarely used. And slowly being drowned by wasps building a home.
'Emerging risk': Fire more than a kilometre long in cyclone wood debris
People trying to clear wood debris from their cyclone-hit properties resort to burning it.
Cyclone Gabrielle created a Central Hawke’s Bay lake five and a half times the size of Lake Tūtira
Amid the destruction, one big puddle on satellite imagery remains remarkable.
Remarka-bull: No casualties after stock trailer rolls near Tikokino
A farmer will be counting their blessings until the cows come home.
Hospitalised by leptospirosis - a warning for cyclone clean-up workers
Road worker assumed it was the flu at first, but then symptoms worsened.
Survivor of 1938 Esk Valley flooding reflects on mirrored disasters
It's 1938 and Patricia Morton's sleeping under the stars in fleece wool, her home buried.
Cyclone Gabrielle: The isolated Eskdale community at the end of the road
The lone bridge connecting half of Ellis Wallace Rd with the rest of the world is unsafe.
A crate for a mate: Man risks walk over debris-covered bridge to give friend cold one
In the midst of a disaster zone, a little gesture for a friend can mean a lot.
Environmental groups applaud rejection of 15 million cubic metre groundwater take
A hearing panel has rejected an application for 15 million cubic metres of groundwater.
250mm an hour: Farmer's astonishing rain reading in Hawke's Bay hills
A weather station on a farm in Waiwhare recorded 730mm of rain in two days.
Fire crews working to rescue people stranded in Hawke's Bay
A state of emergency has been declared by the mayors of Napier and Hastings.
Cattle beast concussion stalls Ruataniwha dairy farm decision
A cattle beast has knocked back a decision on 15 million cubic metres of Ruataniwha water.
Hastings business charged over child’s forklift injury
WorkSafe has filed charges against an orchard packing warehouse in Hastings.
'Very upset': Flooding ruins iconic strawberry producers' crop before Christmas
A Hawke’s Bay fruit icon has no option but to close on its busiest day of the year.
Cherry buyers told to get in quick after harvest hit by rain
Strike while the cherries are red.
Dairy farm to be 'retired' to build one of New Zealand's biggest solar farms
Lambs will graze under 152 hectares of solar panels to reduce the fire risk.
'Why would you throw it in the bin?' Dam extension withdrawal not the end of dream
Consents expire in 2025, but advocate says that's not much runway.
December drenching? ‘Wettest year’ in Hawke’s Bay not over yet
2022 is already the wettest year on record for Hawke's Bay in 14 locations.
Mid-December reopening for Ravensdown plant building after fire
The ongoing closure from a fire two months ago will not affect Ravensdown customers.