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.
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.
'Gut-wrenching, heartbreaking': 600 Timaru workers face losing their jobs
Alliance Group plans to shut its South Canterbury freezing works by the end of this year.
Student advocacy group opposes Speight’s licence renewal over ‘predatory’ campaigns
Student group opposes brewery licence renewal.
'The people have spoken': Dunedin council votes to keep Aurora Energy amid financial strain
A total of 760 submissions were received through the consulting period.
Dunedin students evacuated, school closes for day after threatening email received
The online threat was made as students were arriving for class.
'Long and arduous ordeal': Family of pilot share details of efforts to rescue him from rebels
Phillip Mehrtens was held captive in Indonesia’s West Papua region for 19 months.
Another dog poisoned by meth while on walk through central Auckland
The vet bill for Rocky’s treatment quickly escalated to over $18,000.
Former mayor claims supermarket blocked him entry
Aaron Hawkins had just attended a rally for Palestine with his eight-year-old son.
International flights return to Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport has been without international flights since 2020.
Power outages, road and school closures as snow causes havoc
Heavy snow is falling in parts of the South Island.
Calendar Girls’ plans for new Queenstown strip club turns heads
The petition had received over 200 signatures by 2.30pm on Thursday.
The village people: Unofficial roadblocks, nunchaku and drug growing claims
Police say they are looking into allegations of rogue behaviour.
'Unhealthy preoccupation with Jews': Far-right commentator under scrutiny over planned NZ visit
New Zealand denied entry to Holocaust denier David Irving in 2004.
Police call out 'disgusting' livestreamers filming dead bodies at South Auckland crash
Police condemned the “disgusting” actions of a bystander who live-streamed the crash site.
'Be careful': MP warns Blockhouse Bay residents while killer remains at large
Police are still hunting for Stephen Thorpe’s attacker.
‘Broken and beautiful things’: Kiwi journalist documents Palestinian life under occupation
Freelance videographer and journalist Cole Yeoman spent two months in the West Bank.
Police release photos of alleged thieves after pride flags cut down
Last year's Winter Pride festival was also marred by acts of vandalism and abuse.
Dozens of pride flags cut down in Queenstown
Last year's Winter Pride festival was also marred by acts of vandalism and abuse.
Rock climber dead after falling 50m in Queenstown
The incident occurred above a public walking public track on Gorge Rd.
'Virtuoso': Legendary NZ ballerina Rowena Jackson dies, aged 98
Rowena Jackson died of natural causes in her Gold Coast home.
Drunk drivers, assaults, and arrests: Dunedin police tackle weekend mayhem
On Sunday morning, several drivers were stopped for drunk driving following a boozy night.
Watch - 'Hostile and violent': Boy racer events orchestrated to attack cops - police union
Video footage shows a ute reversing at speed to ram a police vehicle.
‘Our whole world has been shattered’: Emotional hearing phase of Lachie Jones' inquest ends
The coroner hears heartfelt statements from the child's parents.
Lachie Jones inquest: Half-brother again denies involvement in toddler’s death
The inquest is in its second phase.
Lachie Jones inquest: Woman claims she was told toddler was thrown in pond
The inquest is in its second phase.
Scarfies who 'can't afford good bread' push back on proposed car parking charges
Dunedin City Council proposes to convert 60 parks to p240 unpaid parking spaces.
Dunedin police investigate claims knife pulled on teenager
Crime and safety at the Dunedin bus hub has been a rising issue in recent months.
Survivors of Riverton boating tragedy now recovering at home
Three people lost their lives when a boat capsized on the Riverton bar on Saturday.
Lachie Jones inquest: 'The most likely explanation is drowning' - expert
The inquest has entered its second fixture.
'Still very wobbly': Dog which accidently ingested meth and MDMA slowly recovers
The pet terrier still needs to be on anti-seizure meds after her ordeal.
'Really tripping balls': Auckland dog eats meth during walk
Fleur's owner wants to raise awareness over rising meth use in the city.
Heartbroken mother of Gore toddler Lachie Jones breaks silence
Michelle Officer gives exclusive interview, speaks of loss, heartbreak and accusations.
Celebrated science communicator jailed for child abuse, community shocked
Amadeo Enriquez Ballestero was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
Dunedin councillor asked to formally apologise for comments towards Māori
Vandervis did not take part in the investigation process.
Main street meltdown: How NZ’s high streets are changing
We take a walk down some of New Zealand's high streets.
Paraglider seriously injured in Christchurch’s Port Hills
The patient was transported to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter.
Portuguese middle man to be deported for role in $27m cocaine plot
Carlos Ferreria-Sampaio was sentenced to five years and two months' jail.
Otago orchardists crack the hazelnut market
'It's satisfying to grow something and sell it directly to the public.'
Road rage rumble: Driver assaults mother in front of daughters
A woman has been charged with dangerous driving, assault, and making threatening remarks.
Woman faces shoplifting charges after four-month crime spree spanning length of NZ
Stores from Auckland to Dunedin were allegedly targeted.
Bus carrying 15 passengers rolls in Central Otago, one injured
One person was taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
'I'm really delighted to be here': Grant Robertson settles into new role at University of Otago
Grant Robertson is the University of Otago's new vice-chancellor.
Lulu Sun: Sun sets on Wimbledon run, but Te Anau still glows
Te Anau has rallied behind Lulu Sun's historic Wimbledon performance.
Teen assaulted while defending friend from catcaller
The teenager suffered significant cuts to the inside of his mouth.