Lane Nichols is Deputy Head of News and a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years' experience in the industry.
His career includes stints at the Nelson Mail, Dominion Post and currently the Herald. He has covered numerous rounds including fisheries, health, education and property, winning several national awards along the way. He has held senior newsroom leadership roles for nearly 15 years while also reporting on many high-profile news events and breaking countless exclusive stories. His current areas of focus include bank fraud and the surge of international investment scams. But he has also undertaken deep-dive investigations into the skydiving industry, mental health sector, property speculation, Kāinga Ora and misbehaving real estate agents. He is based in Auckland but remains a proud Wellingtonian. You can contact Lane at lane.nichols@nzme.co.nz.
Auckland Council drops charge as star witness vanishes in Waiheke vineyard case
The witness's mystery disappearance was linked to an 'employment issue'.
'High degree of culpability': Luxury Waiheke vineyard convicted and fined after long legal battle
The vineyard was earlier acquitted after blaming noise readings on 'chirping crickets'.
Luxury Waiheke vineyard found guilty of noise breach, could be fined up to $600k
The vineyard was earlier acquitted after blaming noise readings on 'chirping crickets'.
'We will love you forever': Grieving family pay tribute to celebrity physician Dr Tom
"He was so much to so many, but to us, he was everything.”
'Very, very raw': 'Hero' physician Dr Tom Mulholland dies suddenly
Known affectionately as Dr Tom, he'd helped hundreds of thousands of people over 30 years.
'Bloody wrong': Family furious at WorkSafe decision not to prosecute after forestry death
“I just feel like Jason’s life was taken, they removed the body and went back to work.”
'Wall of silence': WorkSafe official admits fatality probe stalled by lack of evidence
'I just don’t have the information I need.'
Cut off: A 'forgotten' town, angry residents and a fight to survive
Former mayor hits out at official response, criticising lack of leadership.
Waiheke Island vineyard to pay record $412k in costs, appeal rejected
Case related to rowdy wine lovers at vineyard, triggering more than 100 noise complaints.
'They're making bloody excuses': WorkSafe under fire over forestry death
WorkSafe says the nearest qualified inspector was three hours away in Napier.
'Deeply concerning': WorkSafe under fire following latest forestry death
'What is more important than coming to a fatality?'
Waiheke Island vineyard ordered to pay $412k costs in 'torturous' noise case
A judge labels the vineyard's arguments 'pejorative and considerably overstated'.
Grieving dad takes private prosecution against logging firm after son's death
'I shouldn't have to fight this hard.'
Auckland Council appeals against Waiheke Island 'chirping crickets' noise case
The vineyard blamed ambient noise from chirping crickets for a 2018 noise breach.
'Absolute disdain': Appeal by luxury vineyard thrown out by judge
A judge dismissed claims by Cable Bay of unfairness or breach of natural justice.
Live: Five Delta cases; infected nurse's fiancé waiting for test; race to track virus' spread
Five community cases of Covid-19 have now been confirmed in Auckland.
'Sufficient uncertainty': Waiheke vineyard says noise prosecution doomed to fail
'They let themselves down.'
Top Waiheke winery blames crickets, aircraft for noise breach
The winery has faced repeated prosecutions and enforcement action for non-compliance.
Man found guilty of flouting kauri dieback laws
Armitstead could be fined up to $60,000 when he is sentenced in May.
Family's triple tragedy: Fatal workplace accident, two children dead
"I have to be the voice for the dead."
'I was quite shocked': Park ranger catches man flouting kauri dieback rules
Robert Armitstead is accused of entering closed tracks three times during 2019.
'Malicious lies': Cable Bay Vineyards hits back at noise complaints
Waiheke neighbours say their once tranquil rural lifestyle has been destroyed.
Urgent recall: Apricot product sold in market could cause cyanide poisoning
The poison can cause nausea, respiratory symptoms and cardiac arrest.
Chicken farmer's $50k stoush with Auckland council over unpaid rates
Auckland Council is taking legal action over unpaid rates on a former chicken farm.
Chinese owners forced into selling NZ land were planning rollercoaster park near lake
The investors were forced to sell the properties or risk potential prosecution.
Foreign buyer rules force US couple to sell waterfront property for massive loss
Investigators found the US couple was uncooperative and "not quality investors".
Urban boundary adding up to $50k to price of Auckland homes
Pundits have long claimed that Auckland's urban boundary is strangling land supply.
Green with envy: Home with golf course
Seaside property in Russell is on the market - complete with its own 18-hole golf course.
Mortgagee sales rise by 50%
The number of mortgagee sales has jumped nationwide in the past quarter as worsening economic conditions and lower dairy payouts hit parts of provincial New Zealand.