Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking news.
Benjamin joined the NZ Herald in 2022 after completing a Bachelor of Communications degree, majoring in Journalism at Auckland University of Technology. You can contact Ben at benjamin.plummer@nzme.co.nz.
Fears Coromandel murder-accused's pigs will be 'targets for hunters'
A Givealittle page made an 'urgent appeal' for their safety.
'King of the world': Former POW, NZ's oldest man celebrates 108th birthday
The 108-year-old attributes his longevity to never smoking or drinking.
Angry bus passenger abuses driver, uses rocks to shatter windscreen
The passenger allegedly abused the bus driver before the shocking act.
'Rare dolphin' spotted in Auckland harbour: Will it affect SailGP again?
A dolphin sighting forced the cancellation of the SailGP event in Christchurch in March.
Beloved grandmother one of four victims killed in crash near Rotorua
'Tears from my eyes keep on falling.'
Watch: Christchurch school band goes viral again with hit Coldplay performance
About 80 students in the band also performed in the famous cover last year.
'Almost turned me vegetarian': Worms allegedly found in Costco-bought meat
Video shared with the Herald shows about 10 parasites wriggling on top of the meat.
Police investigate if students on camp may have started large Canterbury fire
Camps filled with pupils were evacuated soon after the fire broke out.
'Unacceptable behaviour': 11yo arrested on North Shore after rocks hurled at elderly man
A witness said the elderly man was sitting on some grass when the boy threw rocks at him.
'Appalling tragedy': Man fatally shot in South Auckland, police combing property at Wattle Downs
The man was rushed to Middlemore Hospital but succumbed to his gunshot injuries.
'Absolutely shattered': Friends, family of climber missing on Mt Cook pay tribute
The search for the three foreigners will not be able to continue until tomorrow.
Lawyer Peter Kaye dies days after ex-MP daughter Nikki
77-year-old remembered as 'one of the great advocates of his generation'.
SolarZero staffers protest amid shock liquidation, demand payout from US firm
Employees and supporters today took to Auckland’s streets.
Auckland water testing reveals updated arsenic levels as more councils report elevated readings
Authorities have urged residents not to be alarmed.
Arsenic in the water: Senior Govt minister keeping watch, results due this afternoon
The Prime Minister confirmed he had been briefed on the situation.
Urgent testing under way after elevated levels of arsenic found in Akl's water supply
Arsenic is a substance found in rock that can be deadly if consumed in large amounts.
Rogue Auckland taxi driver charges customer twice during 3km journey
The tourist was charged a 'card activation fee' of almost $200 before the 3km ride began.
Four youths arrested after ride in stolen vehicle, crashing into car on Southern Motorway
Cars were seen crashed and stopped across lanes on the motorway.
'Not fair or reliable': Calls for reform of NCEA Level 1; less than 75% of schools plan to offer it
Less than 75% of schools plan to offer the qualification next year.
'Never be the same': Mum-of-six has skull ripped open in stray dogs attack
The mother says her kids were only 20 or 30 metres away from the daytime mauling.
Kiwi 'unwell' after methanol poisoning leaves two Australian teens on life support
The New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok said one Kiwi has reported feeling 'unwell'.
'He begged me': Auckland taxi driver's emotional plea after being busted price-gouging tourist
A director of an Auckland taxi service has addressed concerns from multiple passengers.
'Apex predator': Shark expert's warning after diver killed at great white hot spot
Family members have described victim Jade Dixon as 'tough as old boots'.
Taken for a ride: Auckland tourists charged $163 for 10km trip
'The air was blue when he said the price,' fleeced passenger says.
'Chaos' at Auckland Airport as Coldplay fans descend on city; security scanner out of service
Air NZ said it was shaping up to be the busiest week of the year for its domestic network.
Strong odour leads police to cannabis grow house in Auckland's North Shore, one arrested
It comes after 11 Vietnamese nationals were deported last month for growing cannabis.
Watch: Van 'driving erratically' on road to Auckland hotspot narrowly avoids head-on collision
A witness said the van and its driver almost became a near-certain road toll statistic.
Hospital forced into lockdown as armed police respond to firearm sighting in ambulance
Armed officers cordoned off car parks and the hospital went into lockdown.
'Nightmare': Dave Letele says foodbank won’t last to Christmas after tonnes of meat destroyed
'It’s like the last straw to break my back ... It's like a kick in the guts.'
'Horrific' 44-year-old cold case: Mystery cars tied to violent homicide
'He suffered horrific injuries to his face and head after being violently assaulted.'
‘He looked very grey’: CPR and a rogue car tyre as chaos unfolds in record Auckland Marathon field
It was the largest Auckland Marathon on record, with nearly 18,000 registering.
'Love you for all the days': Young mum dies after cancer battle, leaving two kids
Her 8-year-old daughter farewelled her by saying, 'I will love you for all the days'.
Police arrest 11, seize $18m in cannabis plants in Auckland criminal syndicate bust
The 11 arrested were all Vietnamese nationals who have since been deported.
Hero truck driver faces racist backlash after saving woman’s life on Auckland motorway
The incident closed the Southern Motorway, with thousands of rush-hour motorists stranded.
'No criminal offences' committed by resigned King's College staffer, police say
The male staffer acknowledged being involved in inappropriate online activity.
NZ records lowest Labour weekend road toll in over 10 years
The official holiday road toll period ended at 6am this morning.
'Mummy is not going to give up': Young mother faces final days after brain cancer diagnosis
“She really wanted to fight for her kids”.
'No one dies alone': Passenger describes holding bus attack victim's hand in final minutes
'I wanted her to know she was not alone.'
Suspect in Auckland bus stabbing homicide arrested after 24-hour manhunt
The victim was a bus passenger - she did not know her attacker.
Mum screams after animal jawbone found in bag of Woolworths carrots
Supermarket operator says it is looking into the incident 'as a matter of priority'.
Owner 'shocked' multimillion-dollar property at centre of cannabis bust
Police take away plants, light fixtures and air filters from two properties.
Person dies after assault on Auckland bus; police hunt for offender
The Police Eagle helicopter was seen circling the area after the incident.
Mother of 'main leader' in rooftop protest speaks out, OT disputes 'no fresh air' claim
Police say seven youths have been charged with intentional damage.
'Better and safer': Auckland supermarket shortens hours amid safety fears
Woolworths says there have been 925 acts of aggression in the last year in its stores.
South African triple murderer Lauren Dickason served with deportation order
The South African-national will be deported at the completion of her sentence.
Police dismiss Marokopa locals' claims Tom Phillips wasn't involved in armed bank heist
Some Marokopa locals have refused to believe fugitive father was involved in the robbery.
Charter company ordered to pay $140k after young mum's fatal fall overboard
Maritime NZ says safety policies and procedures were not followed.
'So gross': Auckland Subway restaurant closed for cleaning after pigeon filmed eating toppings
Subway said the restaurant was closed for 'thorough, intense cleaning'.
'So gross': Auckland Subway restaurant closed for cleaning after pigeon filmed eating toppings
Subway said the restaurant was closed for 'thorough, intense cleaning'.
'Recipe for disaster': Can SAS hunt fugitive Tom Phillips - or use 'deadly force'
A military lawyer says the Prime Minister would need to sign-off on a SAS hunt.
Former SAS tracker says soldiers could find Tom Phillips within two weeks
The fugitive Marokopa father and his three kids were spotted by pig hunters last week.
First image reveals $100m Manawanui shipwreck on bottom of ocean floor
The image shows a light slick of oil coming from the vessel.
Hurricane Milton destruction: At least 13 dead, 100 Kiwis caught up
The National Hurricane Centre warned of 'life-threatening storm surge and extreme winds'.
'Irreplaceable void': Three young victims of triple-fatal Marlborough crash named
Five people were in the car and two were able to get out safely, but three were killed.
Tui billboard referencing Polkinghorne's meth use, sex worker trysts sparks backlash
Some social media users say the brewery's ad is inappropriate.
'Equivalent of third-party': Doomed $100m NZ Navy ship not fully insured
It’s understood insurance would not cover the full cost of salvage and clean-up.
Homicide investigation launched after man found dead on suburban Auckland road
Police said the man appeared to have been hit by his own vehicle.
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.
Kiwi tradie makes chilling Google search before suspected suicide overseas
Samuel Keast's grieving sister believes her brother's workplace was 'toxic'.
'Reasonable chance' Aussie's diplomatic immunity gets waived after Wellington altercation – legal expert
The person was released by police after it was confirmed they held diplomatic immunity.
Armed police swarm car in upmarket Auckland suburb over firearm fears
A witness said they saw a man with what appear to be a large gun strapped around his neck.
'Two sisters, two hoarders, two houses': Neighbouring homes go up in flames years apart
Firefighters battled a “totally involved” house fire in Castor Bay for hours overnight.
Watch: New world record for largest haka set at Eden Park
Organisers hoped at least 10,000 participants would turn up.
'Major safety concerns': Waikato gyms tell minors to lie about ages
A manager at one of the gyms said she was 'trying to fix' her mistake.
Air NZ flight delayed three hours after rodent found stowed away in cargo hold
'It was a pretty unique situation that even some of the crew haven't experienced before.'
Seymour slams climate strike protest, urges schools to throw book at truant pupils
"If they want to make real change in the world, they need to turn up to school."
Coroner sets Pauline Hanna death review after Polkinghorne trial verdict
The review will be held in December 2024 to determine next steps in the coronial inquiry.
Polkinghorne's lawyers possibly seeking discharge on meth possession
Polkinghorne is due to return to court in November on two meth-related charges.
'Lightning all around us': Thunderstorms sweep North Island causing power outages
From 12pm to 3pm, there had been about 6800 lightning strikes over the North Island.
Waikato man sentenced after dog euthanised following 'gross neglect', blunt force trauma
Experts said the dog would've been in 'severe discomfort' for a three-to-six-month period.
Architect pitches new harbour crossing concept to Auckland's mayor
It is estimated the bridge could be built within a decade.
Police probing green house bus at property linked to search for missing woman's remains
“Items of interest” were allegedly found at the weekend, but police won't comment.
Woman banned from keeping animals after birds found plucked, decorated with pens
The woman said she coloured the doves because it was 'beautiful'.
'Items of interest' found in private search for missing woman Breanna Muriwai, mother says
Police warned against the search saying it could compromise vital evidence.
'Do us a favour and leave': AUT professor fumes at staff for leaking workplace survey results
An AUT spokesperson says they were 'concerned about the results of the survey'.
Three people dead after 4WD and people-mover collide head-on in South Canterbury
A 4WD and a people-mover were travelling in opposite directions when they collided.
Watch: Moment gunshots ring out in East Auckland suburban shooting that killed grandad
Grandfather was found in a courier van with a gunshot wound and died at the scene.