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Naomi Arnold

Freelance journalist, feature writer, and author based in Nelson, New Zealand.

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Madeleine Crutchley

Madeleine Crutchley is a writer, journalist and creative based in her hometown of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. She has covered arts, music, fashion, food and culture for Viva, The New Zealand …

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Helen Cordery

Communications professional with 3+ years experience in SEO writing, and feature writing. Available for freelance and permanent projects.

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Christina Tran

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David Barry Gear

Hola, I’m a Kiwi writer living in Bogotá with my wife and our adopted rescue dog, Negrita.I create content that works. SEO-friendly, engaging, and results-driven. From social media posts to …

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Joshua McKenzie-Brown

Freelance Journalist & Researcher - BA / PGDipEd All story leads and tips are appreciated.

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Latest Articles

Exclusive: ‘She’s not a trained lawyer’: Winston Peters hits out at India’s top diplomat in NZ over FTA comments

The outgoing Indian High Commissioner says it is an “aspiration” for New Zealand’s private sector to invest US$20 billion in India under the proposed free trade agreement, the same language National ministers have deployed to allay concerns over the clause.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Exclusive: Driver’s licence fees could be hiked next year despite Government celebrating 'initially' cutting them

The Government trumpeted an $80 reduction to the total cost of getting a full driver’s licence, but a close look at the Cabinet documents and officials’ advice suggests more changes - possibly an increase - to the fees could come afterwards.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Analysis: Pole position for Peters - Why NZ First has momentum heading into election 2026

There has been a question swirling around Parliament for the past year or so, over whether New Zealand First can successfully follow the path of Nigel Farage’s Reform in galvanising support behind a populist alternative to the two main political parties.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Analysis - Christopher Luxon’s election-year opener: What to expect from PM's State of the Nation speech

The Prime Minister’s election-year opener will see Christopher Luxon attempt to wrestle New Zealanders’ attention away from turbulent affairs overseas and remind them of what the Government sees as steady, promised progress in key areas such as law and order, education and cutting red tape.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Exclusive: Claims of bribery, AI content, 'shaming' in Youth MPs' speeches before controversial review

Several cases of potentially defamatory comments, breaches of privacy and unsupported assertions were found in Youth MPs’ draft speeches by officials tasked with reviewing them before delivery during a Youth Parliament overshadowed by censorship claims earlier this year.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Exclusive: Mowbray’s personal text to PM amid social media lobbying

A member of the high-profile Mowbray family personally messaged the Prime Minister to express disappointment about National announcing legislation to ban social media for under-16s just days before an event to launch a campaign on the issue.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Analysis: The growing connections between NZ First and Labour

While the differences between NZ First and Labour may be stark, over the past month or so, several issues have come to the fore on which there seems to be greater similarity between those two parties than NZ First and its current partners.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Exclusive: Police Minister says 36 emails about Jevon McSkimming weren’t shared with him at Police Commissioner order

Police Minister Mark Mitchell’s office received 36 emails containing allegations against former deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming since December 2023. However, Mitchell has told the Herald then-Police Commissioner Andrew Coster directed police staff in the ministerial office to send the emails directly to his own office and not share them
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Analysis: Inside the room as Christopher Luxon - and NZ - won big with Donald Trump

New Zealand’s Christopher Luxon has had his first face time with US President Donald Trump on the sideline of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit. The Herald’s Jamie Ensor was in Gyeongju, South Korea as it happened.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Christopher Luxon interview: ‘We will have different views’ - PM could soon come face-to-face with Trump

Two major international events await Christopher Luxon in Asia this week – but an always unpredictable US President Donald Trump is also on his way, including for what could be a consequential meeting with China’s leader. The Herald will be in Malaysia and South Korea following developments.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Analysis: Te Pāti Māori internal chaos - How the party collapsed into controversy and infighting

An explosive email sent by Te Pāti Māori detailing allegations against one of its own MPs has brought the party’s private disagreements into the light. It risks sowing more internal trouble just days after the party announced a ‘reset’.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Whistleblower complaint exposes ACC ‘unreasonably’ excluded costs of exec’s farewell

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has apologised after a whistleblower complaint led a top watchdog to find it had “unreasonably” excluded the costs of a senior executive’s farewell celebration from its response to Official Information Act (OIA) requests.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Exclusive: Agencies warned Govt's board fee increases could impact services, worsen cost pressures

Government agencies warned plans to hike the fees that Crown board members could be paid may have “significant financial implications”, impact the delivery of public services, and exacerbate cost pressures.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Exclusive: Christopher Luxon’s personal letter to Chris Hipkins appealing for ‘bipartisanship’ on key issue dismissed as ‘political stunt’

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has written to Labour leader Chris Hipkins urging him to commit his party to supporting offshore exploration for natural gas for at least the next 10 years, in an effort to achieve a “credible, bipartisan approach”.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Analysis: NZ First, National at odds on immigration, plus is New Zealand a 'launch pad’ to Aussie?

The National Party and New Zealand First are at odds over a central pillar of immigration policy, a disagreement that will almost certainly turn into a political football at the 2026 election.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Revealed: TPM apologises after MP takes issue with 'Indians, Asians, Black, Pākehā' campaigning in byelection

Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris is under fire for a social media post taking issue with the ethnicity of Labour supporters campaigning for the Tāmaki Makaurau byelection.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Winston Peters interview: ‘You're not to talk about foreign buyers’ - NZF leader denies loosening ban

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters denies the Government’s announcement to allow foreign investors to purchase homes in NZ reflects a loosening of the foreign buyers ban introduced when he was last in power.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

The top author who walked NZ: 'I can't even look at a worm without feeling sick'

What’s one word to sum up your mood right now? Buoyant. Since Northbound was published in April, I’ve been getting at least a couple of messages a day from people who enjoyed reading it or listening to the audiobook and felt moved to tell me. It’s a huge honour and …
By Naomi Arnold
• NZ Herald

Exclusive: Labour MP's youth justice meth use, fight clubs claims not backed by officials

Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime’s public claims about fight clubs and “significant” meth use in youth justice facilities couldn’t be substantiated by Oranga Tamariki officials. The Children’s Commission, which independently monitors the facilities, is also unaware of meth in the residences and hasn’t heard of fight clubs occurring since 2023.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald

Exclusive: Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime didn’t respond to, declined NCEA meeting offers

The Government offered Labour multiple opportunities to be briefed on the NCEA change process, but the party’s education spokeswoman Willow-Jean Prime initially didn’t respond to these invitations and then flat-out declined them.
By Jamie Ensor
• NZ Herald