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.
'Erratic' driver was five times over legal alcohol limit during 300km journey
The woman was tracked down by police after members of the public reported her.
'A win': Supporters post 'message from Dickason' about triple murder sentence
Lauren Dickason pens new note for supporters about her 'fair' sentence.
Details of Dickason triple murder to be probed by coroner
The murders of the Dickason children will be probed by a Coroner - as early as next month
Details of triple murderer Lauren Dickason's possible release
Will she be deported once released from prison?
'I failed them': Killer mum apologises after being sentenced to 18 years in mental health unit
Lauren Dickason had no reaction in court when sentence was delivered.
Killer mum Lauren Dickason sentenced today for murdering her three daughters
A judge will decide whether Lauren Dickason is sent to prison or a mental health unit.
Ex-top cop accused of 'insidious’ bullying, intimidation, 'unacceptable behaviour'
Staff allegations came months before John Price retired from police.
Parole for mum who used 5-year-old as ‘sexual plaything’ after 4 years in prison
The woman will be released having served three years and 11 months behind bars.
Too old? Too snobby? Forget what you thought you knew about staying in a hostel
This new upmarket Christchurch hostel/hotel-in-one is challenging the status quo.
Unaddressed trauma and grief: Why teen stabbed a heavily pregnant woman
Court told the 19yo had lured the woman to an address under false pretences.
30 years on from the Bain family massacre: David's new life, new name
The Herald spoke to David Bain on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the murders.
Kiwi sports star pleads guilty after wild Cup Day incident
The man, whose name is suppressed, will be sentenced in October.
Police rewards: Who decides who gets them, and how often are they claimed?
Police rewards offered over the years - why, when and what for?
Mama Hooch rapists: Brothers' appeal to be heard in October
Herald reveals High Court date for Christchurch's Mama Hooch rapist brothers.
The Bain murders 30 years on: Where is David? Why are Kiwis obsessed with this case?
The Herald looks at the infamous case and the aftermath that haunts a family today.
No parole for Karla Cardno’s killer - but temporary releases approved to master shopping, banking, trains
Lower Hutt teen's killer appears before Parole Board again
Man accused of secretly filming young Christchurch women in their homes keeps name suppression for now
Suppression remains accused in case of Chch women secretly filmed in their homes
'I'm so terribly sorry': What Carmen Thomas' killer ex Brad Callaghan told Parole Board
First parole hearing for man who murdered, dismembered Auckland mum Carmen Thomas.
'Monster hiding in plain sight': Man jailed for sexually abusing girls after meeting mum on Tinder
The man subjected the little girls to 'monstrous' sexual abuse after meeting their mum.
More violence, weapons, injuries: Family violence increases in cost of living crisis
Tough economic times linked to increase in 'severe' family violence.
Coroner details chilling 111 call as campervan caught fire, killing 3 tourists
Three students from Singapore were on a Kiwi road trip when they died in a crash.
30 years on from infamous family killings, Herald podcast revisits Bain massacre
Part two of A Moment In Crime's look back at the infamous murder case.
Man accused of secretly filming young Christchurch women in their homes appears in court
Man accused of secretly filming Chch women in their homes back in court
The sudden death of Sean Kessels: ‘Money wasn’t a problem'
His 'broken' mum says he died despite the family 'trying everything' for mental health.
Violent offender fails to return to prison after funeral - victim not told for three days
Man wanted for a 'bail breach' is inmate who failed to return to prison from day leave.
Scott Watson's bid for freedom: Psychologists disagree over reoffending risk
Notorious double murderer Scott Watson appears before the Parole Board again
Revealed: Coroner finally rules on cause of 2014 plane crash at Canterbury Gliding Club
The pilot's plane crashed just 65 seconds after takeoff while towing a glider.
Victim's horrific half year wait for convicted sex abuser to be sent to prison
Zane De Klerk was convicted of sex offending in November 2023.
Edgeware Rd party killer denied parole, to stay in prison for 'a long time'
Lipine Sila has made little progress in the 17 years he's been in jail, says Parole Board.
Charity that housed 'sadistic' murderer loses secrecy bid
Canterbury charity had battled to keep its name secret since the 2022 murder.
'Her death must not be in vain': Parents speak ahead of inquest into uni student's party death
The family of Sophia Crestani are still heartbroken more than four years after her death.
Raiana's story: PM responds to open letter from family of 13-year-old who died suddenly
Devastated family begs Government for more help for teens in crisis.
Coroner hears young man mocked, shamed and beaten during his life at Gloriavale
Sincere Standtrue's sister reveals the way he was treated at Gloriavale before he died.
Bain massacre: 30 years on from infamous family killings
A Moment In Crime takes a look at the infamous murder case.
'A bitter pill to swallow': Anger, pain as killer sentenced to life in prison
Motu Smith has been sentenced after murdering his neighbour.
Coroner to rule whether Gloriavale death was suicide, accident or toxic exposure
Sincere Standtrue died at Chch Hospital in November 2018 after an incident at Gloriavale.
'Significant work' underway to get Kiwis trapped in New Caledonia home
The NZ Government is working hard to get Kiwis back from New Caledonia as unrest spreads.
‘F***ing lies’: TV star Noel Edmonds rejects claims he sacked Kiwi winery staff
UK celeb Noel Edmonds rejects claims he sacked 17 Kiwi winery staff with a day's notice.
13-year-old girl dies suddenly after bullying – a family’s plea to NZ’s leaders
Devastated family begs Government for more help for teens in crisis.
UK TV star accused of blindsiding Kiwi vineyard staff with winter closure
One day's notice of job cuts for 17 staff at Noel Edmonds' South Island winery.
Temuka man admits dangerous drink-driving that killed two people
Murray Dean Stockwell lost control of his car when driving at high speed.
Murder charge dropped: Crown has no chance of conviction in case of fatal City Mission stabbing
The murder charge has been dropped because there is no chance of a conviction.
'Scott's artistic journey': Art by notorious double murderer Scott Watson on show at Christchurch gallery
He has a Parole Board hearing looming and now the murderer's art will be on display.
Jury finds father guilty of murdering, abusing 3-month-old daughter
The jury has returned a verdict on a Christchurch man accused of murdering his baby girl.
Women's Refuge 'stunned' at 'startling' number of women at risk of death - how you can really help
Study reveals invisible family violence, many NZ women at risk of death by abuser.
Man accused of secretly filming young Christchurch women in their homes appears in court
A 56-year-old man is currently facing 16 charges relating to the young women.
Ponsonby shooting: Police 'well advanced' on planning, monitoring for gunman's funeral
Hone Kay-Selwyn's funeral is coming up and will likely be attended by gang members.
New Zealand’s worst murderers: The men too dangerous for parole
Anna Leask reveals the murderers who have never been granted parole.
Breaking 'Bad': No easy fix, no silver bullet - so what will it take to curb youth crime?
Journalist Anna Leask looks into how Australian communities are tackling youth crime.
At least 31 fractures: 3-month-old baby suffered abuse before death, jury hears
A trial has started for a man accused of killing his own baby.
Breaking 'Bad': How could New Zealand curb its youth crime crisis?
Herald senior journalist Anna Leask investigates youth crime initiatives in Australia.
One dead after stolen ute flees police, crashes head-on with innocent motorist
Police investigating after late-night incident on SH1 in Ōtaki.
Not murder: US cop who shot NZ man dead during mental health 'crisis' cleared of serious charges
Former deputy found guilty of reckless endangerment after 2022 shooting in Colorado.
Pensioner held hostage, violently assaulted before alleged offender shoots at police
A man is in custody after a firearm was discharged at police in the Bay of Plenty.
Mum of 9-year-old boy who took his own life: 'Why couldn't I have saved him?'
Sage Ross was just 9 when he took his own life. His mother still cannot fathom why.
Where is Pauline Parker? Strange, isolated new life for 'Heavenly Creatures' killer
A new name meant murderer could live abroad in seclusion.
Brother of 'Heavenly Creatures' teen murderess shares 'real' story of her life
Brother of infamous 'Heavenly Creatures' murderer speaks about crime and aftermath.
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.
Coroner probes driver’s rare eye condition, ‘sub-optimal’ police work at scene of fatal collision
Coroner examines death of man whose bike was struck by a house bus near Timaru
'Indefinitely mothballed': Quake-hit cathedral's dire future unless $30m found by August
Landmark post-quake rebuild in dire trouble after $114m funding gap emerges.
'Horrifying': Mum who fled overseas forced to return kids to 'abusive' father
Hague Convention orders mum must return kids to NZ after fleeing overseas.
NZ police officers 'struggling to put food on the table'; food donations urged
Canterbury police officers are collecting food donations for struggling colleagues.
Coroner dismisses 'heartbroken' parents' suspicion car fall victim was pushed
Nicole Morris died of a head injury after falling from a car seven years ago.
Christchurch man behind porn sites jailed for 14 years in US
Christchurch sex trafficker gets 14 years in American prison.
Mum's mysterious death: Alcohol-induced fall led to fatal head injury
Police and a pathologist say Heather Foote's death was an accident.
'Hell in a handbasket' - Retail industry begs for action as assaults on workers spike
Figures show six retail workers a day are reporting assaults to police
Body in bag case: One week on, where is the investigation at?
Investigators are hunting for fresh leads in mystery case.
Body in bag case: What police know so far
Police are still hunting for information about this week's grisly discovery.
Triple-murderer mum Lauren Dickason's fate to be handed down in June
The Herald previously revealed taxpayers footed her $700k - and rising - legal aid bill.
A Moment In Crime: The callous murder of Marice McGregor
He was charged in 2017, but it took until this year to tell his story.
Mum of man fatally stabbed by partner speaks of 'horrible' loss
Kia-ara Richardson has been found guilty of killing her partner more than four years ago.
Where the wild things are: Locusts, crickets and balls of all kinds on the menu
Explore the crunchy, wriggly, bizarre kai at this year's Wildfoods Festival in Hokitika.
Korean driver sentenced after admitting he caused crash that killed beloved school librarian
'Often the defendant, as here, is an otherwise responsible citizen,' the judge said.
Fatal street race: Cousin of killed and injured men sentenced after horror crash
Ricky Nicholl has been sentenced for his part in a fatal street racing crash.
'I have lived with the shame': Women tricked into porn by Kiwi stand up in court
Christchurch sex trafficker now faces life in American prison.
Number of jobs lost could be even higher in Newshub closure
A source told the Herald freelance workers weren’t invited to this week’s meeting.
Don't you forget about us: Matchbox Twenty's first-ever Christchurch gig a musical spectacular
A nostalgic night with 90s power bands Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls in Chch.
'Deliberate and gratuitous': Jail for man who abused youngster
The court heard he 'blamed' the boy for the offending and had shown no remorse.