Anna Leask, specialist in crime and justice reporting for the New Zealand Herald, has covered some of New Zealand’s biggest events, incidents, tragedies and disasters.
Anna Leask is a senior journalist and crime and justice specialist for the New Zealand Herald. From a young age, Anna was an avid storyteller and writer so it was no surprise to anyone when she chose journalism as a career. Anna studied Mass Communications and Sociology at Canterbury University before completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism in 2005. This led her to her first job at The Star in Christchurch. She spent two years there covering all things crime and court and then made the move to the Herald on Sunday. In 2010, Anna became a police reporter, a role that soon came to be much more about broader crime and justice issues, particularly the people involved. Anna has covered some of the most high-profile crimes and events New Zealand has seen. To name a few, the Pike River mine disaster; the Christchurch quakes; and the unprecedented four-day sentencing of the gunman responsible for the 2019 terror attack. Alongside her daily reporting Anna writes, hosts and produces monthly episodes for the chart-topping podcast 'A Moment In Crime' which won a silver award in the true crime category at the inaugural New Zealand Podcast Awards in 2021. You can contact Anna at anna.leask@nzme.co.nz.
Man shot dead by police fought with brother over Fiji property before rampage
The man shot dead by police had a long-running feud with family over a Fiji property.
Man with machete calls 111, threatens to 'kill people' before police shoot him dead
The man shot dead by police in Papatoetoe called 111 and threatened to "kill people".
Machete-wielding man shot dead believed to have moved to NZ from Fiji
The investigation into the fatal shooting of a man by police in Papatoetoe continues.
Auckland man charged with hospital staff car break-ins
A man has been found by police and charged after a spate of hospital staff car break-ins.
Lime scooter rider charged after footpath collision
A man has appeared in court after he allegedly crashed into pedestrian on Lime scooter.
Vigil organised in honour of slain Auckland mother
An anti-domestic violence group have organised a vigil for slain Aucklander Xi Wang.
Accused robber jumps out of Auckland court dock, flees in getaway car
A man facing aggravated robbery charges made a dramatic escape from an Auckland courtroom
First rape at 15: Predator Colin Mitchell's victim speaks
A woman raped by Colin Mitchell in 1973 tells her story after his name suppression lifts
Second arrest for Auckland dairy stabbing
Teen charged with assault with intent to rob and aggravated wounding.
Alleged 'teen crimewave' Zion Tuoro arrested after police chase
A teenager wanted for an alleged crime wave across Auckland has been arrested this morning
Brutal West Auckland assault caught on CCTV
CCTV footage shows brutal assault as prone man bashed with wood.
Auckland top cop wins award for Roast Busters case
Auckland's top cop has been awarded a prestigious title at an international conference.
Good Samaritan Lucy Knight will return home
Good Samaritan Lucy Knight will return home for the second time since the assault that left her with a serious head injury, to celebrate her son's fifth birthday today.
Hero mum doesn't remember attack
Husband of mother left with severe head injuries after she tried to stop a bag snatch says: "She is very sore and extremely tired."
Great views, but killer road
There are two sides to State Highway 16, the western route from Auckland to Northland. One is scenic. The other is a killer.
Ex-cop had concerns about fatal road
A former top police crash investigator was involved in a head-on smash in almost the exact spot where mother-of-four Lysette Brown was killed on Monday.
Much-improved victim talks to police about post-Nines assault
A man left fighting for his life with severe head injuries after an assault at a party following the NRL Nines league tournament is awake and has spoken to police.
Assault victim in serious condition
A man who was viciously assaulted at a Mt Eden party at the weekend remains in a serious but stable condition at Auckland City Hospital.
Motorcyclist hospitalised after crash in central Auckland
A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital after colliding with a car in central Auckland.
Jewellery key to catching brutal robber
Police hunting a man who tied up and assaulted an elderly woman in her Papatoetoe home are trying to find her jewellery, stolen in the brutal home invasion.
Weapons used to enforce loans - claims
Counties Manukau Police are investigating a loan company director following complaints of him using weapons to enforce compliance of loan terms.
Link between Auckland fires?
Two early morning fires deliberately lit at an Auckland school and church may have been started by the same people, police say.
Trolley bandits hit shop shelves
Two thieves have stolen thousands of dollars worth of groceries from supermarkets and shops across Auckland by filling trolleys and running out of the store.
Arrest over indecent acts on trains
A 36-year-old man will appear in the Auckland District Court on Monday to face two charges of indecency, after allegedly exposing himself to young woman on Auckland trains.
Fire spreads through two storey block in Manurewa
A fire has broken out at a Manurewa business with reports of people possibly trapped inside. St John was called to the fire on Great South Road at 12.25pm today.
Test says woman driver had 25 drinks
A woman arrested for drink-driving with two small children in the car had one of the highest breath-alcohol levels recorded in New Zealand.
Man in custody after woman's death
A man has been taken into police custody following the discovery of a woman's body north of Auckland this morning.
Police locate Good Samaritan
Police are still seeking a Good Samaritan who chanced upon a badly beaten man and took him to hospital last month, likely saving his life.
$13,000 ring thief yelled 'thank you'
A thief who dashed out of a jewellery store wearing a $13,000 sapphire ring yelled "thank you very much" to staff as she ran to her getaway car.
K'Rd bottle shop man hit in robbery
A liquor store employee assaulted by armed robbers was not even supposed to be working in the store when the terrifying ordeal unfolded.
Forest fire teen trying to look 'cool'
A teenager who admitted throwing fireworks into a popular Auckland forest, causing thousands of dollars damage, said he was just trying to look "cool" in front of his mates.
Rocks hurled from overbridge hit cars
Police are looking for youths seen throwing rocks off a motorway overbridge at cars, as forensic tests get underway on an object that killed driver Rutger Hale.
Wild winds lash Auckland
Wild winds are have been lashing Auckland city today, with shattered windows< lifted roofs and runaway trampolines.
Second road-crash for grieving family
A family still grieving over three youngsters killed in a horrific crash six months ago are again in mourning after another relative died when her car hit a power pole.
Cop's jail smuggling service
A police officer delivered pre-ordered contraband to prisoners after collecting it from their relatives in meetings in and around a West Auckland courthouse.
Tributes flow for stabbed woman
A woman stabbed to death by a man in her West Auckland home in a "tragic and disturbing" incident has been described as a "fantastic person".