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.
‘Renewed energy’: Police seek guns in hunt for West Coast cold case killer
Police have reopened a cold case from 1998 in Kakapotahi, West Coast.
Gang members use local gym for brutal bare-knuckle fights
Gym owner changes rules after private group booking used by gang.
Teen accused of critically injuring woman in Chch park now facing ‘serious’ sex charges
The 16-year-old is now facing serious sexual violence charges.
Hope in hell: Survivors face serial rapist John Hope Muchirahondo
'I use this pun intentionally ... I finally have a Hope in hell. May you rot there.'
Scott Watson’s bid for freedom in tatters as parole hearing abandoned
The hearing is being abandoned instead of adjourned after running over time.
Gloriavale death: Coroner says Sincere Standtrue died suddenly from ‘blacking out game’
Sincere Standtrue's sister reveals the way he was treated at Gloriavale before he died.
‘My father sexually abused me 830 times over four years’: Child sex abuse survivors share ordeal
Sisters sexually abused by their father have shared their story in Herald podcast.
Revenge, violence and throwing faeces: Inside Scott Watson’s freedom bid
The double murderer appeared before the Parole Board yesterday for the sixth time.
Scott Watson’s bid for freedom: Parole Board to see notorious double murderer again today
Notorious double murderer Scott Watson to appear before the Parole Board today.
Teen forced to take wheel in fatal crash after epileptic woman ignored warning not to drive
Raeann Cook knew she should not be driving after suffering a seizure.
Where’s Sara’s remains? What ‘dying ex-crim’ said about cold case
The killer in the cold case never revealed the location of his girlfriend's body.
Man ‘arbitrarily detained’ by military police rejects ‘insulting’ compo offer
It agreed to pay the man but refused to make a formal apology.
Man, 20, charged with drug driving causing deaths of teen girl and 20yo man
He will be back in court next month.
Mum of victim claims 'privilege of demographic' protected serial sex offender
'I hope the community is outraged,' the woman said.
Serial sex attacker’s identity revealed, offended again as victims battled to name him
Luca Fairgray's series of sex attacks began when he was 14.
‘Leaving is not easy’: Imam who survived mosque terror attacks announces move to Oz
The Islamic leader has announced his plan to leave New Zealand for a new role.
Hospital sends info about sex abuse victim in hiding from gang-linked offender to stranger
The woman went to hospital but her discharge papers were sent to a stranger by mistake.
Oranga Tamariki undertaking ‘processes’ after student suspended from top school following Year 6 camp ‘incident’
The school will not elaborate on the nature of the incident but investigation underway.
Suppression lifted: Former priest named as alleged St Bede’s College sex abuser
Ex school priest, dean charged with historical sexual offences from 1996 to 2000.
Single gunshot heard before body found: Police reveal new information in 1998 murder cold case
Police have reopened a cold case from 1998 in Kakapotahi, West Coast.
Student suspended from top school after Year 6 camp ‘incident’
Police will not investigate a formal complaint made, the school's head says.
‘Trail of destruction’: Judge lifts lid on one of NZ’s worst young criminals
Paddy racked up more than 30 offences before he turned 18.
She was screaming ‘no’: 6yo traumatised after skin cut by saw during cast removal
Lola was cut numerous times by a saw as nurses worked to remove a cast from her ankle.
Oz trial begins for NZ pensioner accused of importing ‘commercial quantity’ of heroin
Raemon Parkinson, 70, was stopped at Melbourne International Airport in November.
No parole hearing for man who sexually violated, killed stepdaughter
Sahara Baker-Koro was killed in 2010 by her mother's boyfriend Kerry Charles Ratana.
Auckland schoolboy Frazer found: Dad thanks supporters
Frazer Palamo has been found after going missing on Friday afternoon.
When Harry met Richie: Prince and All Black great bond at Invictus Games
Richie McCaw has been a supporter of the Invictus Games for years.
‘Someone’s loved one’: Stop sharing fatal motorway crash footage ‘immediately’, police say
A motorcyclist died in the crash and people have been sharing footage of the incident.
‘Finally they have got him’: Lambo driver charged, car seized after fed-up locals complain to cops
The Queenstown man has been charged over his driving and will appear in court this month.
Sick or twisted? The story of a violent offender
Anthony Wheble is serving a sentence of preventive detention for brutal attempted murders.
Husband charged with murder over Lake Hāwea death
Karen White was killed in March 2024 and her husband has now been charged with murder.
‘Offensive jokes’ and bullying: Senior Canterbury cop’s behaviour probed by watchdog
The IPCA investigated the 'unacceptable behaviour' which was made public today.
Video shows 2m sea swells building on day of Rakaia River tragedy
Local fisherman left the area two hours before high tide as swells were building.
Rakaia River quad bike death: An ‘absolute tragedy’ that ‘could have been so much worse’
Locals raced to help the stricken quad bikers and one man was swept into the water.
Devastated local reflects on 70-year connection to historic hall gutted by fire
Douglas Dance, 84, has been connected to the cinema and hall since he was just 13.
Otago community ‘devastated’ after fire destroys Roxburgh town hall - world’s longest running cinema
The town hall was home to the world's longest-running cinema.
‘Alarm bells’: How a free US trip led to NZ man’s $7.18m drug charge
James Moa, 21, was arrested at Sydney Airport with 20kg of cocaine hidden in his suitcase.
Woman critically injured after assault at Christchurch park, police seek help
The attack was reported this morning in the suburb of Richmond, close to the city centre.
Forestry worker injured during workplace accident in North Canterbury
Emergency services responded to the incident at about 12.17pm.
Kiwi charged with importing 20kg of cocaine into Australia
The 21-year-old man will appear in court in Sydney today.
Ashburton school admits uniform passes ‘culturally inappropriate’
The school has responded to its uniform passes after outrage on social media.
Hamilton teen’s death ‘unexplained’ – police investigating
The 19-year-old woman was found unresponsive about 12.30am.
‘Like a turbine’: Mangawhai couple sheltered in wardrobe as tornado hit
A cordon is in place, and people told to treat downed power lines as live.
'It was so intense': Woman's 'deja vu' during second terrifying tornado
A woman living in Hobsonville during a 2012 tornado said the experience was like deja vu.
Woman asleep in bed sucked out of home, thrown by force of Mangawhai tornado
Emergency crews are responding to Mangawhai after tornado-like winds hit the area.
‘Unexpected, tragic’: Warning as young mum dies at daughter’s first birthday from inhaling balloon helium
Coroner says there is a 'mistaken belief' about the dangers of helium inhalation.
Man charged after four-hour standoff with armed police
Police took the man into custody almost five hours after the incident began on Mulroy Pl.
Auckland murder-suicide ‘tragic example’ of family violence epidemic, says coroner
Coroner reveals details of violent relationship that ended in murder-suicide.
'Profound sorrow': Gloriavale leader offers public apology for abuse at secretive sect
Gloriavale's Overseeing Shepherd delivers public apology demanded by Royal Commission.
Watch: Dairy owner chases armed robber from store with big stick
The dairy owner shared the footage in the hopes of identifying the offender.
Watch: Police officers perform powerful haka for slain colleague Lyn Fleming
Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was farewelled by family, friends and colleagues today.
Watch: 'Stand down senior, your duty is done' - 'Beautiful soul' Lyn Fleming farewelled
Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was allegedly murdered while on duty on January 1.
‘Ultimate sacrifice’: Full police funeral today for Snr Sgt Lyn Fleming
Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was allegedly murdered while on duty on January 1.
A Moment In Crime podcast looks back at NZ's cops before the courts
Herald crime podcast tells the stories of NZ's disgraced, offending cops.
Man accused of murdering Hamilton baby keeps name secret for now
Suspect remanded in custody after special hospital bedside hearing.
‘Please just walk off’: Threat made by phone prompts Dunedin-bound flight drama
Passengers spent nearly four hours sat on the tarmac, unable to disembark.
My sister was insane: Brother of 'Heavenly Creatures' teen murderess shares story on Herald podcast A Moment In Crime
Jonathan Hulme wants to get his sister's trial outcome altered.
‘All kinds of messed up’: Locals distraught at Hamilton baby’s death as man faces murder charge
A man aged 34 has been charged with murder and attempted murder.
Nelson cricket fans pay tribute to slain police officer
A moment's silence was held at the start of today's T20I at Saxton Oval.
Man charged with murder after baby’s death in Hamilton
34-year-old allegedly killed baby and attacked its mother and a second child in Hamilton.
'So devastated': Nelson police station flag at half-mast, floral tribute for officer killed
Lyn Fleming was killed in the incident in Nelson in the early hours of New Year's Day.
'Consent is crucial': Victim of Hamilton teen sex offender speaks
Hamilton teen's initial prison term was reduced by 60 months due to a range of factors.
Watch: Police car rammed, two officers critically injured
A member of the public was also seriously injured and taken to hospital.
Homicide investigation: Child killed, mother injured in Hamilton tragedy
Emergency services are at the scene of a serious incident in Fairfield, Hamilton.
'I cannot accept': Faith-based abuse survivor rejects New Year Honour
Mike Ledingham says his decision came after a lot of soul-searching.
‘Greatest storyteller ever’: Daughter, former colleagues pay tribute to legendary Kiwi journo Bob McNeil
Friends and family are remembering the award-winning reporter.
Missing without a trace at Piha: Six people lost forever at West Auckland paradise
Six people have vanished from the Piha area - who are they and what are their stories?
A Moment In Crime podcast: The monster next door, the ‘dungeon man’ and the cold-hearted killer
Crime journalist Anna Leask looks back at some of the strangest cases of her career.
Christmas in the clink: What’s on the Kirihimete menu for Kiwi inmates
Inmates at New Zealand's prisons will have the same menu as last year on Christmas Day.
Crash hero’s Christmas plea to Kiwi drivers: be vigilant and observant on the road
Crash heroes call on Kiwi drivers to be vigilant on the road this holiday season.
Revealed: Youth offending decreasing despite spotlight on young offenders
Youth offending is not increasing, a new Ministry of Justice report has found.
Murder in paradise: Who killed Karen White?
She was killed at her Lake Hāwea home on March 8 – but by who? Anna Leask investigates.
NZ's second-most powerful cop under investigation, on leave from police
The IPCA is investigating Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
Christchurch dog walker murder: Killer jailed, but avoids life sentence
Bailey Messervy has been jailed for life for murdering Nigel Wilson.
‘Sexual predator’ teen jailed for raping girl, violating three others
Hamilton teen's initial prison term was reduced by 60 months due to a range of factors.
Capturing a killer: How murdered woman's phone led police to her shallow grave
Top cop lifts the lid on Yanfei Bao murder probe - and reveals how they got their man.
Rugby stars not instructed to seek name suppression, says RPA chief
Sevu Reece admits wilful damage charge, granted discharge; alcohol issues addressed.
'I'm embarrassed and so, so sorry': Sevu Reece sidesteps conviction after Cup Day disgrace
A sportsman who admitted taking a car can now be named after his case was determined.
'I felt sick': The harrowing content TikTok posts to 13yo girls revealed
Nadia Maxwell set up a page for a 13yo on TikTok and was shocked at the suggested content.
'I understood too late to save Helen': Dad’s 15-year fight against domestic violence
David White has republished a book about his daughter's murder and his life since then.