Ben Tomsett is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, based in Dunedin.
Prior to joining the Herald, Ben Tomsett wrote for the Otago Daily Times and Southland Express out of Invercargill. He grew up on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Tapanui, West Otago. Following his high schooling at Blue Mountain College, he went on to complete a diploma in Film and Television Production and a Diploma in Journalism at Aoraki Polytechnic. Post-studies, he put writing on the back burner and set out abroad to make a few stories of his own. Snowboard instructing was a cost-efficient and highly enjoyable avenue to see the mountains of the world while working odd jobs such as fruit picking in British Columbia, Canada, and making soap on an organic donkey farm in Midi-Pyrénées, France, gave him decent journal fodder. On the coattails of the global pandemic, Ben returned to New Zealand in 2020 and later took his first job as a journalist close enough to his old stomping grounds. He quickly found telling the stories of New Zealanders was more rewarding and exciting than writing his own. He has a broad range of interests, though he tends to lean towards local politics, farming, the environment, and tales of the bizarre. In 2022, Ben was named runner-up for best junior news journalist at the New Zealand Community Newspaper Awards. You can contact Ben at ben.tomsett@nzme.co.nz.
‘Wow, that’s a moose’: US tramper claims rare sighting, DoC workers have doubts
The department pours cold water on the claim, saying it was probably a red deer.
Couch fires, booze, and burned wallaby: Police investigating student celebrations
Many of Dunedin's students began celebrations before 6am.
Dunedin bus hub stabbing: 14-year-old guilty of manslaughter
The jury took more than two days to come to its verdict.
Self-defence or murder? Jury to decide 14-year-old alleged killer’s fate
'It was a David and Goliath situation,' defence argues.
Prominent Dunedin man pleads not guilty to sex charges
The man has been granted interim name suppression.
Teen adopted ‘gangster ways’ in lead-up to fatal stabbing at Dunedin bus hub, court hears
A forensic psychiatrist said the teenager adopted the mannerisms as a form of protection.
‘I feel horrible with myself’: 14yo recalls horror at realising he had stabbed older boy
The young defendant told the court he only intended to scare the older boy, not harm him.
‘I wanted others to see me as tough’: 14yo accused of Dunedin bus hub murder addresses court
The defendant told the court he began carrying a knife for protection from bullies.
Lake Hāwea homicide: Trial date set for husband accused of killing wife
Police launched a homicide investigation in November.
Complaints over student’s clothing halts bus safety campaign
The local council said it did not take a position on any political issue.
Watch: Beachgoers attempt rescue of mako shark at Christchurch’s Sumner Beach
The shark washed ashore at Sumner Beach on Thursday night, prompting a police call out.
NZ music icon Martin Phillipps honoured in museum display
The acclaimed New Zealand songwriter died age 61 last year.
‘I saw a stab wound’: Teen bystander tried to stop fatal Dunedin bus hub fight
The teenage witness held his hoodie to the other boy's stab wound.
‘A scared child’: 13yo fatally stabbed teen at bus hub after being told to pull down his socks
Enere McLaren-Taana was fatally stabbed at Dunedin's bus hub last year.
‘Can we afford this?’: Patients shocked by $1000 after-hours medical fees
Fees as high as $1000 have been quoted for after-hours appointments.
Four people hospitalised after chemical incident on ship at Lyttelton Port
Emergency services are at the scene treating the men.
Otago Uni students evacuated after construction site gas smell causes emergency callout
Emergency crews are working to determine the source of the smell.
'Absolutely devastated': Queenstown burger joint fires employee after racial slur receipt
Staff members would also undergo cultural sensitivity training.
‘Unacceptable’: Popular burger joint apologises after racial slur on customer receipt
Fergburger says an internal investigation has been launched.
One of NZ’s largest solar farms on hold after tiny village fights back
The farm would house 560,000 solar panels with the capacity to power 70,000 homes.
Armed stand-off over: Man found dead
It's understood the man was wanted over a series of firearms offences.
'One-of-one' signed Jonah Lomu card hits US auction, owned by Kiwi collector since 1996
The card was brought in 1996, and signed by Lomu two weeks before his 2015 death.
Man spotted luring, beating then capturing swan at Auckland's Western Springs
The penalty for killing protected species is up to two years' jail or a fine up to $100k.
New Dunedin hospital going on old Cadbury factory site; costs ‘under control’
The Health Minister admits the site brings with it construction challenges.
Road-rage hammer attack victim undergoes head surgery, two youths charged
The violent assault followed an incident involving three vehicles, police said.
Covid-19 ‘brain fog’ likely factor in near head-on train crash
The experienced engineer recently returned to work following an absence due to the virus.
Single-vehicle crash closes SH1 near Kaiapoi, two people injured
Traffic diversions are currently in place.
Watch: ‘Unforgettable’ - orca pod stuns surfers with close encounter
'Time just froze as it glided past. You can’t explain the feeling.'
Nudist draws ire of seaside community with ads for naked walking groups
Not everyone in Kaka Point is pleased with Lloyd Bonnar's idea of freedom.
'Coronation of a king': Dunedin publican on attending Trump's inauguration
Michael McCarrigan said the inauguration was like the coronation of a king or queen.
‘He wasn’t going anywhere': Elite cyclists' high-speed chase to collar bike thief
Professional cyclists took off after a $15k road bike was allegedly pinched.
Elite cyclists chase down bike thief
The thief attempted to pilfer the road bike from under the resting elite cyclists' noses.
A bag of coal and $50: Climate activist’s novel approach to paying court fee
Mahalski was one of five protesters charged with trespass over a 2021 protest.
Warning over eating dead fish washed up on Auckland beaches after trawler sinks
The sunken fishing vessel was carrying crates of snapper.
‘Sudden disaster’: Trawler sinks near Kawau Island
The Coastguard arrived within 35 minutes of the alert.
'Real buggers': Woman scammed by fake Facebook meat business
Aroha Hicks lost $250 to the scam which is operating through social media marketplaces.
‘Our hearts are broken’: Family, friends pay tribute to 17yo killed in Canterbury crash
Devastated mum says daughter's death an “incredible loss for so many people".
Big budget, small NZ town: Florence Pugh turns heads as Netflix films down south
An adaptation of a classic American novel is currently being filmed across NZ.
Recalled bathroom heaters linked to two house fires
Fire risk prompts ban on Serene wall-mounted bathroom heaters.
Feilding park robbery: Man shot during $2000 marketplace shoe sale gone wrong
The men travelled to a park to meet a seller before everything turned violent.
'People were vomiting': Passengers make it across Cook Strait on 'very rough' sailing
High winds and swells have battered Cook Strait over the weekend.
From fear to fascination: How to watch out for sharks this summer
"It's like feeding a dog under the table; one day a hand goes down, someone gets bitten."
Serious crash closes SH3 in Te Awamutu, eight injured
Motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.
Kiwi accused of burglary during mass riots in Dublin
But social campaigner Jack Brazil claims he has an alibi.
'Somehow, he’s alive': Christchurch teen seriously shocked after climbing power pylon
A witness said the boy climbed the power lines and touched live wires.
Second Otago farm placed under restriction over bird flu fears
The chickens will be euthanised by CO2 containerised gas, an industry standard practice.
‘We don’t know what we’ll discover': World-first dissection of rare whale in Dunedin
Only seven specimens of the spade-toothed whale have been recorded in history.
'It's really quite scary': Ground zero at Otago chicken farm bird flu outbreak
Process under way to cull 80,000 chickens on Otago farm.
'Otago is still a very, very good place to be': Student leader says scarfies thriving
Housing and the cost of living remain key issues for Otago's students.
No inquiry to be held into triple-fatal Wānaka helicopter crash
Nicholas Wallis, Scott Theobald and Paul Hondelink were killed in the crash in 2018.
Loyal dog led rescuers to missing elderly man - police
David McHaffie and his dog survived three days in the bush.
The $3b Dunedin Hospital saga: Broken promises, blown budgets and southern outrage
The figure was absent from the review cited by ministers Reti and Bishop.
Sultan of Brunei's lavish ‘flying palace’ touches down in Auckland for mystery visit
Flight radars showed the luxury jet landed in Auckland yesterday afternoon.
Devoted husband killed acutely-ill wife before taking own life
William Feary couldn't stand to see his beloved wife suffer any longer.
Dunedin entertainment figure faces multiple charges, including paying for sex with minor
The man has received interim name suppression.
Diabetes expert alarmed fake news scam uses AI image urging patients to abandon medication
Sir Jim Mann is concerned diabetes patients could fall very ill if they fall for the scam.
Kākā advocate banned from botanic garden over ‘harassment’ claims
Animal welfare inspectors say the bird is doing fine at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
'Incredibly Auckland-centric': Bid to scrap licensing trust 'monopolies' slammed as misguided
Act MP proposed a member’s bill to abolish the remaining alcohol licensing trusts.
Opposition to alcohol licence for charity fundraiser supporting suicide prevention
Police and a licensing inspector have raised concerns.
From Larnach Castle to Castle St: Dunedin's Monopoly board rolls out
Dunedin residents voted on landmarks to be included on the board.
Government rug-pull postpones vote on Otago’s proposed land and water regional plan
The change left council members and farmers across Otago grappling with the implications.
Ammunition disposal sparks Tekapo scrub fire – NZDF
The fire was contained at 6.30pm last night.
Kim Dotcom in pay stoush with gardener over work at Queenstown mansion
Dotcom disputes claims, says he has great relationships with contractors.
Hundreds of jobs to go as Timaru meatworks closure confirmed
Alliance has closed its Smithfield plant, and Australian recruiters are already in town.
'Fun, fascinating, frustrating': Grant Robertson's first 100 days as uni vice-chancellor
Grant Robertson reflects on protests, hospital cuts and university expansion.
‘A sobering moment’: Bee Lemonade admit giving 350 litres of free booze to student party a mistake
Company founders accused of breaching the Sales and Supply of Alcohol Act.
Kiwi and husband huddled in closet as Hurricane Milton tore through
Kelsey Roemhildt has lived in Tampa, Florida, with her husband since July 2022.
'Farmers are standing up against Fish & Game': Southland anglers face access cuts
The move comes amid 'deteriorating' relationships between farmers and Fish & Game.
Dunedin mayor hits the highway in ambulance to save new hospital
Jules Radich is taking the Save Our Southern Hospital fight out on the road.
'No simple answer': Student party crush tragedy sparks safety calls
Coroner makes safety recommendations five years after Sophia Crestani's death.
'You can't stop the water': Families return to flooded homes in Dunedin
As the flood waters recede, the clean up begins.
Watch: Dunedin family tells of lucky escape as landslide destroys their property
'Wall of mud' takes out garage and several vehicles.
Otago flooding: Concern overnight for river levels, Dunedin highways closed, NZDF brought in
Dunedin and surrounding areas are enduring a once-in-a-century weather event.
Dunedin cut off: Floodwaters close state highways, second rain 'peak' later today, Clutha declares state of emergency
Officials hoping for breaks in the weather to help ease surface flooding.
Evacuated residents flee flooded homes overnight, damage still unknown
‘I’ve got an autistic son who didn’t want to get out of the car.'
South Dunedin residents ‘encouraged’ to self-evacuate as flood waters rise
'Risk of flooding, slips are high. Follow the advice of local authorities' - MetService
Opinion: Inside Dunedin’s historic hospital cuts protest with 35,000 angry southerners
OPINION: The people were angry – and they say Saturday's scenes are just the start.
Sir Tim Shadbolt: How the voters fell out of love with the political heavyweight
Ben Tomsett speaks to old friends and political allies on a remarkable career.
Mayor of Dunedin supports protesters 'fighting' hospital cuts
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said residents have the right to be outraged.
'Bloody lied to': Fury in Dunedin as tens of thousands gather to 'fight' hospital cuts
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said residents have the right to be outraged.