Rachel Maher is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news.
Rachel specialises in reporting on crime issues in Auckland, extensively covering the issues of retail ram raids and youth crime. She has also reported on many other topics including social justice issues, politics and entertainment. Rachel grew up in Whangārei before moving to Tāmaki Makaurau in 2018. After a lifelong passion for writing and story-telling, Rachel studied at AUT and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication, majoring in journalism, in 2022. She achieved her dream of becoming a journalist when she joined the Herald in June of the same year as a breaking news reporter. Rachel has quickly established herself as a passionate and well-rounded reporter, covering everything from the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle destruction to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. You can contact Rachel at rachel.maher@nzme.co.nz.
Hundreds without power across North Island, road snowfall warnings in South Island
Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency were called to 60 incidents in the upper north.
Heavy rain, gales and thunderstorms to lash north, Banks Peninsula state of emergency extended
A bunch of new alerts have been issued as wild weather hits the north tomorrow.
Coromandel towns isolated by flooding, more heavy rain forecast as storm rages on
Roads have been submerged, roofs ripped from buildings and ferries and flights cancelled.
'Prepare now': Cyclone Tam brings 130km/h gust, winds forecast to ramp up overnight
Forecasters warn of 120km/h gusts that may close the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
'Strongest since 2017': New Tropical Cyclone Tam warning for strong winds, giant swells
Tam is moving at 35km/h south towards New Zealand.
The big chill: Kiwis wake to freezing temperatures as cold snap grips the country
Auckland had the highest early morning temperature at just 12C.
Winter arrives early as thick snow falls in the South
The first snowfall of the year makes landfall following a day of wild weather.
Tropical atmospheric river hits NZ, more than 24 hrs of rain forecast for some regions
Some parts of the Tasman District could get 500mm of rain or more, the council said.
Dire warning as ‘drought buster’ rain in April unlikely, North Island faces more dry months
New data shows rainfall is down by about 75% in many areas.
‘As dry as it gets’: Auckland latest region placed under total fire ban over wildfire fears
Outdoor fires are now banned across the top of the country.
Heavy rain, severe gusts to hit Auckland during rush hour
Strong winds hit Auckland, with gusts reaching 93km/h on the harbour bridge.
Storm hits: Power cuts, road closures as rivers rise in Northland
Severe weather watches and warnings are in force.
'They’re all alive': Mum relieved to see kids missing for nearly 3 years in video
Cat became emotional watching her children disappear back into rugged farmland.
Otago flooding: Concern overnight for river levels, Dunedin highways closed, NZDF brought in
Dunedin and surrounding areas are enduring a once-in-a-century weather event.
Dunedin cut off: Floodwaters close state highways, second rain 'peak' later today, Clutha declares state of emergency
Officials hoping for breaks in the weather to help ease surface flooding.
Electricity warning after frigid snap; more thunderstorms to come today
An unstable westerly flow is expected to bring heavy showers and possible small hail.
Showers forecast to continue along storm-hit East Coast, flooding forces hundreds of evacuations
Hundreds were evacuated from their homes after states of emergency were declared.
'Not the actions of a good father' - Police say missing Marokopa man armed, still a risk to community
This morning they offered a $80,000 reward in the hunt for Tom Phillips.
Hail, thunder, gales to pummel parts of NZ
Flooding is possible at the bottom of the North Island as a fierce weather system stalls.
Frankenfruit: Is this New Zealand's biggest feijoa?
'We couldn’t believe how much it weighed.'
'Be prepared to evacuate': West Coast residents on flood alert, severe thunderstorm watch for north
Power cuts, landslides and road closures struck the West Coast yesterday.
One dead after quad bike and motorcycle crash on Warkworth property
Police are continuing to investigate the crash which happened at the weekend.
Two teens missing overnight on Upper Hutt walking track found by hunters
The pair were reported missing at 2am, and the search began at 4.30 this morning.
Fruit shortage: Supply issues in lead-up to Christmas
Cyclone Gabrielle decimated crops in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.
Thunderstorms, heavy rain lash top of North Island
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for to the top of the country.
‘Not out of the woods yet’: Conserve water notice as ex-cyclone Lola sweeps North Island
Today is expected to bring another round of thunderstorms and strong winds.
Wild weather: Roads closed with over 100mm of rain, 130km/h wind gusts
Several places across the top of the North Island have recorded over 100mm of rain.
Lanes closed on Harbour Bridge as ex-cyclone bears down; thousands without power
Wind gusts reaching 142km/h have already been recorded in Cape Rēinga.
Twizel blaze: High winds ground choppers; firefighters hope for rain
Chief says fire 'very difficult to fight'.
Twizel blaze: High winds ground choppers; firefighters hope for rain
Fire chief says: 'We're in for a hell of a time'.
Kiwis ‘chip in’ to help autistic boy who claimed golf title after only playing three rounds - ever
He accomplished the staggering feat using borrowed clubs and wearing basketball shoes
Heavy downpours to hit North Island, tree falls in Herne Bay
As temperatures rise during the first week of spring, the rain will continue to fall.
Orchard company sentenced after seasonal worker loses three fingers in accident
The Otago orchard was fined $225,000 after the teen was injured while cleaning machinery.
Fonterra to receive $90m Govt subsidy to stop burning coal
The government made a similar move with NZ Steel earlier this year
Security-tagged bacon spotted as supermarkets defend against retail crime
A pack of bacon secured with a security tag was spotted at a Countdown supermarket.
Dramatic rescue for family dog after 20-metre fall down hole
Beloved 8-year-old farm dog Ben has quickly become a local legend, his owner says.
Live: Slip blocks SH25, more rain expected as storm tracks south
Slips have closed highways and roofs have been ripped off as the downpours begin.
Live: Bad weather ends PM's planned Wairoa flight; forestry slash inquiry announced; access closed to Auckland’s West Coast beaches
MetService warns of slips and road closures in hard-hit areas as the rain continues.
Live: In firing line - heavy rain watches for regions devastated by Gabrielle
MetService warns of slips and road closures in hard-hit areas as the rain continues.
Boy’s death after being struck by log at beach: ‘Wake-up’ call for tree-slash operations
The youngster was climbing and standing on the floating log in the shallows, says witness.
Lake Taupō sees red after truck spill
A part of Lake Taupo was bright red after the spill.
Weather aftermath: State of emergency extended in Nelson for seven days
It has been extended till 2.54 pm on Wednesday August 31.
Live: State of emergency declared in Marlborough; heavy rain expected overnight in Tasman
More than 400 homes have had to be evacuated in the Nelson area.
'Frightening, out of control' - Nelson residents flee as river bursts; Auckland also in firing line
'We were told we had five minutes to get out.'
Live: Winter blast brings big chill, heavy rain, Auckland fog
Fog restrictions are in place at Auckland Airport early this morning.