Michael Neilson is a senior political reporter for the New Zealand Herald based at Parliament in Wellington.
Michael Neilson is a political reporter based at Parliament in Wellington. He has been a journalist since 2016, first at the Gisborne Herald before joining the NZ Herald in 2018, covering social issues, the environment and Māori affairs.
![Hapū fumes at AT bid to shift SkyCity bus terminal to its prime waterfront land](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Hapū fumes at AT bid to shift SkyCity bus terminal to its prime waterfront land
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei says Auckland Transport failed to engage with them over the plans.
![Manukau Harbour water quality from bad to worse - report](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Manukau Harbour water quality from bad to worse - report
"The Manukau has borne the brunt of Auckland's waste disposal unfairly for too long."
![Lizzo: 'Don't act like you've never seen a** before, Auckland!'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Lizzo: 'Don't act like you've never seen a** before, Auckland!'
Was the FOMO (fear of missing out) real? Two words: truth hurts.
![Ōwairaka dispute not a 'Māori versus Pākehā issue'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Ōwairaka dispute not a 'Māori versus Pākehā issue'
A "unity" hui will mark two months since the protest began.
![Horses hit the Domain: Urban Polo's hot new summer venue](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Horses hit the Domain: Urban Polo's hot new summer venue
The "fusion" of music, sport, food and fashion in 2020 promises to be bigger than ever.
![Tonga fans take to Auckland streets to celebrate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Tonga fans take to Auckland streets to celebrate
"Tonga, small island nation, on top of the world."
![Bus driver kicks off passenger after racist tirade](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Bus driver kicks off passenger after racist tirade
"He was swearing, and saying, 'Get out of here, go back to where you came from'."
![Revealed: SkyCity fire water testing results](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Revealed: SkyCity fire water testing results
Arsenic and chromium were among the contaminants identified in the run off.
!['We need to be better': Biologist's plea after Owha shooting](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'We need to be better': Biologist's plea after Owha shooting
There are still no leads over who shot Auckland's celebrity leopard seal.
![Fire under control but days of disruption ahead](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Fire under control but days of disruption ahead
The convention centre's ability to host Apec 2021 is also in doubt.
![Fire in the Sky, hell on the roads: 'Avoid the city' - civil defence](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Fire in the Sky, hell on the roads: 'Avoid the city' - civil defence
'If you can avoid coming into the central city, do.'
![Formal warning for Sephora over confetti waste](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Formal warning for Sephora over confetti waste
At the time Mayor Phil Goff called it "unacceptable waste" dumping.
![Record rat numbers in Waitākere Ranges threaten kōkako](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Record rat numbers in Waitākere Ranges threaten kōkako
It comes after "cat-sized" rodents were reported in nearby Titirangi.
![What lies beneath? Why builders are under fire for the state of the Hauraki Gulf](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
What lies beneath? Why builders are under fire for the state of the Hauraki Gulf
"Not only are we losing precious top soil, but it is destroying marine ecosystems."
![Auckland's Matariki Festival tells the stories of Waikato-Tainui](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Auckland's Matariki Festival tells the stories of Waikato-Tainui
A spectacular light display on the Harbour Bridge tells the story of those first arrivals.
![Auckland Art Gallery director steps down amid harassment allegation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Auckland Art Gallery director steps down amid harassment allegation
He withdrew as he awaits "the opportunity to address an unproven allegation against me".
![Auckland Art Gallery director breaks silence on harassment claim](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Auckland Art Gallery director breaks silence on harassment claim
Gregory Burke is set to step into his new role next month.
![The heavens will open: Torrential rain, flood warnings for east coast](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
The heavens will open: Torrential rain, flood warnings for east coast
Parts of the east coast could see 120mm of rain in a 24-hour period.
![The end of muggy nights: Cool front brings relief from heat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
The end of muggy nights: Cool front brings relief from heat
Tonight Auckland is dropping to 14C from an average of 18-19C the past few weeks.
![Swamp home eviction could be illegal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Swamp home eviction could be illegal
Experts say eviction notice issued to family could be classed as 'retaliatory'.
!['Swamp house' family evicted after revealing flood woes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Swamp house' family evicted after revealing flood woes
The family say they were given the notice after raising issues with media.
!['Stay down or I'll shoot you': Auckland pub shot up by masked men](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Stay down or I'll shoot you': Auckland pub shot up by masked men
The two men, dressed in black, walked into the bar with a "swagger".
![Boatie tells of escape from blast: 'Oh s*** I'm on fire'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Boatie tells of escape from blast: 'Oh s*** I'm on fire'
"I looked around, I had no roof, no walls on the boat, no cockpit, no dinghy..."
![Undies-clad Aucklander lobs onions at 4am rubbish collectors](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Undies-clad Aucklander lobs onions at 4am rubbish collectors
'I guess a thick skin goes with the job.'
![Over $12k donated to support drowning victims' children](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Over $12k donated to support drowning victims' children
The nine siblings are sticking together after losing both their parents in the tragedy.
![Fever pitch: Football league warns social players after ref abuse](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Fever pitch: Football league warns social players after ref abuse
An Auckland Football league is threatening bans for violence after a ref calls it quits.
![Hero bus driver saves little dog](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Hero bus driver saves little dog
The bus driver's actions have been applauded by the Albert-Eden Local Board.
![Watch: South Auckland inferno could burn all day](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Watch: South Auckland inferno could burn all day
Witnesses describe huge flames as roads close around scene.