David Fisher is a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald who has twice been named New Zealand’s Reporter of the Year.
David is based in Northland and has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years, winning multiple journalism awards and being selected as one of a small number of Wolfson Press Fellows to Wolfson College, Cambridge. He joined the Herald in 2004. You can contact David at david.fisher@nzme.co.nz
![MP advising minister on Pharmac has investments in pharmaceutical companies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
MP advising minister on Pharmac has investments in pharmaceutical companies
Act MP Todd Stephenson's long links with pharma industry - and plans to shake up Pharmac.
![Military justice? Navy recruits caught with obscene sex, torture, violence images](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Military justice? Navy recruits caught with obscene sex, torture, violence images
US-based agency busts Navy recruits who had the worst kinds of obscene material.
!['You are an elevated risk': How police tried to predict who could kill](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'You are an elevated risk': How police tried to predict who could kill
Police developed project amid concern road toll not budging with conventional approaches.
![Winston Peters targeted by new protest tactics](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Winston Peters targeted by new protest tactics
Police and protesters are adopting fresh approaches as protest movement digs in.
![Mother of man killed at work speaks out: The $11m health and safety 'proceeds of crime' case](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Mother of man killed at work speaks out: The $11m health and safety 'proceeds of crime' case
Jamey Bowring was killed in workplace explosion that is still shaking the courts.
![Defence boss calls Navy 'extremely fragile', three of nine ships out of action](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Defence boss calls Navy 'extremely fragile', three of nine ships out of action
Like the Navy, the Army and Air Force are also in troubled waters, new briefings reveal.
!['You feel cheated': A wife's fight for her sick veteran husband](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'You feel cheated': A wife's fight for her sick veteran husband
For some veterans, the Ode of Remembrance feels like empty words.
!['Who did my sister marry?': The extraordinary life of a Kiwi who was accused of killing his wife](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Who did my sister marry?': The extraordinary life of a Kiwi who was accused of killing his wife
Alex Lang, also known as Donald McPherson, also featured in a $35m bank swindle.
![New SAS documents: Military lifts lid on elite combat unit](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New SAS documents: Military lifts lid on elite combat unit
New document details NZSAS role with stories of the missions it carries out.
![He conquered booze and crime to build a multimillion-dollar empire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
He conquered booze and crime to build a multimillion-dollar empire
Robbie Allen built a fortune working night shifts for 35 years.
!['I want my son to have his daddy’: Family's anguish at Kiwi brothers' Thai arrest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'I want my son to have his daddy’: Family's anguish at Kiwi brothers' Thai arrest
Those closest to the brothers locked up in Thailand speak of their anguish.
!['We could do better for veterans': Minister Chris Penk lays out his priorities for role](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'We could do better for veterans': Minister Chris Penk lays out his priorities for role
Penk, a naval officer turned Veterans' Minister, sails into controversial waters.
![Leaked papers reveal rogue spying tool likely used to spy on China](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Leaked papers reveal rogue spying tool likely used to spy on China
The codename Apparition has emerged to describe the GCSB's rogue spy kit.
![How and why the GCSB came to be running a spy operation for a foreign power](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
How and why the GCSB came to be running a spy operation for a foreign power
Analysis: It harvested metadata in vast quantities, likely to find targets.
![Revealed: Govt restricts access to veteran VIP scheme](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Revealed: Govt restricts access to veteran VIP scheme
Veterans' Affairs is reducing access to its Veterans Independence Programme.
![Press conference: What Phuket governor had to say about Kiwi brothers facing charges over alleged assault on Thai cop](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Press conference: What Phuket governor had to say about Kiwi brothers facing charges over alleged assault on Thai cop
Badly behaving foreigners have been causing upset in Phuket.
!['Forced to decide' - NZ caught between the US and China](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Forced to decide' - NZ caught between the US and China
Research work asks if NZ will 'ride the Chinese dragon or fly with the American eagle'.
![Parents of Kiwi brothers arrested in Thailand speak; video shows fight for control of cop’s gun](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Parents of Kiwi brothers arrested in Thailand speak; video shows fight for control of cop’s gun
Wealthy Waikato family speak of their distress at sons' arrest in Thailand.
![Escape, hide, tell: Three words that could save your life in a terrorist attack](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Escape, hide, tell: Three words that could save your life in a terrorist attack
Experts warn public needs tools to escape an attack by a terrorist in a crowded place.
![Inside the drafting of Luxon’s ‘cut-and-paste’ Waitangi speech](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Inside the drafting of Luxon’s ‘cut-and-paste’ Waitangi speech
OIA documents show how PM's speech was crafted - and who owned the words.
!['I haven’t got the money' Judith Collins on fresh funding for Defence](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'I haven’t got the money' Judith Collins on fresh funding for Defence
NZDF left to fix attrition crisis with current funding as head count struggles to recover.
![500k number plates scanned daily: Concerns over Auckland's 'de facto vehicle-tracking' system](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
500k number plates scanned daily: Concerns over Auckland's 'de facto vehicle-tracking' system
Police are able to tap into data gathered from across the road network.
![Inside the $11m claim by police that health and safety breaches allow profits to be seized as ‘proceeds of crime’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Inside the $11m claim by police that health and safety breaches allow profits to be seized as ‘proceeds of crime’
A new judgment weighs the strengths of a 'novel' police case against business owners.
![High-tech Halo camera coming to a road near you](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
High-tech Halo camera coming to a road near you
The first of new high-tech cameras has been rolled out with a community's blessing.
![Business owner faces $11m proceeds of crime price tag after workplace death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Business owner faces $11m proceeds of crime price tag after workplace death
Ron Salter pleaded guilty and served his time - now police want $11m.
![Number plate surveillance: How many private CCTV cameras can police access?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Number plate surveillance: How many private CCTV cameras can police access?
Documents reveal police are developing rules as searches soar into the tens of thousands.
![Revealed: Transport officials' plans to quadruple speed cameras, triple traffic tickets - and save lives](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Revealed: Transport officials' plans to quadruple speed cameras, triple traffic tickets - and save lives
High-tech traffic cameras would use AI to check whether motorists broke the law.
![School principals offered ‘wellbeing’ training at Fiji resort](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
School principals offered ‘wellbeing’ training at Fiji resort
Overseas courses expand after $6000-a-year professional development fund begins.
![Blaze at tyre shop destroys business - but quick work saves customers’ cars](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Blaze at tyre shop destroys business - but quick work saves customers’ cars
A last-second dash through thick smoke saves classic ute.
![Big issues with Paddy Gower Has Issues as Three hiring freeze bites](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Big issues with Paddy Gower Has Issues as Three hiring freeze bites
Staff at the top-rating Three show were told not to come in amid 'recruitment slowdown'.
![Police called as desperate Waitangi drivers bust through farm gate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Police called as desperate Waitangi drivers bust through farm gate
Police are now on Wakelin Rd, south of Kerikeri, turning motorists around.
![Luxon and others who stand to win big - or lose large - at Waitangi](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Luxon and others who stand to win big - or lose large - at Waitangi
Waitangi weekend brings greater risk and reward than previous years.
!['Good challenge from both sides': Luxon speaks from Iwi Chairs Forum](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Good challenge from both sides': Luxon speaks from Iwi Chairs Forum
PM says meeting included “good conversation” on the Treaty Principles Bill.
![CCTV shows mystery man who delivered $5000 cash to pensioner then ran away](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
CCTV shows mystery man who delivered $5000 cash to pensioner then ran away
The pensioner is reluctant to accept the $5000 - and asks: 'Why me?'
![NZSAS veterans offered urgent cash payments to prevent them quitting](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
NZSAS veterans offered urgent cash payments to prevent them quitting
The NZDF is tight-lipped over the NZSAS crisis, citing national security sensitivity.
![Mystery envelope containing $5000 cash handed to pensioner](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Mystery envelope containing $5000 cash handed to pensioner
He got given $5000 - now doesn't know what to do with the money.
![Legal high Kronic King Matthew Wielenga pleads guilty to importing synthetic cannabis to US](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Legal high Kronic King Matthew Wielenga pleads guilty to importing synthetic cannabis to US
'Mr Kronic' sent synthetic cannabis product to go into vapes.
!['He’s been sent to us by God': Disgraced lawyer Chris Harder and his remarkable quest for Pike River justice](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'He’s been sent to us by God': Disgraced lawyer Chris Harder and his remarkable quest for Pike River justice
Former barrister Christopher Harder claims Pike River truths have never emerged.
![‘We thought they were growing tomatoes’: Inside NZ's biggest cannabis bust](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘We thought they were growing tomatoes’: Inside NZ's biggest cannabis bust
Police uncovered a large cannabis growing operation linked to Vietnamese organised crime.
![NZDF in crisis – our ships can’t sail, planes can’t fly and soldiers have left in droves](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
NZDF in crisis – our ships can’t sail, planes can’t fly and soldiers have left in droves
NZDF documents reveal depleted military as plumbers labelled 'strategic' trades.
![David Fisher: NZDF needs a lot of cash and Judith Collins could be the way to get it](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
David Fisher: NZDF needs a lot of cash and Judith Collins could be the way to get it
Analysis: NZDF needs people, equipment, a clear direction - and a lot of money.
![Judge tosses prison sentence for Billy Te Kahika, who defied Covid lockdown with protest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Judge tosses prison sentence for Billy Te Kahika, who defied Covid lockdown with protest
'I’m a little bit of a stunned mullet,' he told the Herald after learning of the reversal.
!['Very high risk' - the dangerous move that cost NZSAS soldier his life](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Very high risk' - the dangerous move that cost NZSAS soldier his life
New documents show 'high risk' in a US technique that killed an NZSAS trooper.
!['Tooth fairy' fined $7k for making dentures for desperate locals](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Tooth fairy' fined $7k for making dentures for desperate locals
Tooth fairy Claire Wihongi-Matene was fined for low-cost unlicensed denture service.
![Disgraced TVNZ host pursues former colleagues' texts and emails as case looms](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Disgraced TVNZ host pursues former colleagues' texts and emails as case looms
Kamahl Santamaria quit under a 'family emergency' cloud and is now seeking 'transparency'.
![How did NZSAS soldier die? US special forces report delivers new and confronting verdict](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
How did NZSAS soldier die? US special forces report delivers new and confronting verdict
US and NZ inquiries find each other at fault in NZSAS training accident.
![The baubles of office: What's the salary for the new PM and Cabinet ministers?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
The baubles of office: What's the salary for the new PM and Cabinet ministers?
Winston Peters pockets over $500,000 for his 18 months as Deputy PM.
![Strip club visit, sexual assault complaints exposed in army inquiry](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Strip club visit, sexual assault complaints exposed in army inquiry
Inquiry spotlight shines on commander who drank with troops - and much more.
![Movie plans for story of two-time VC winner Charlie Upham](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Movie plans for story of two-time VC winner Charlie Upham
Charles Upham's extraordinary story is headed for the big screen, with two projects afoot.
![Opinion: David Fisher on finding peace with Billy Te Kahika](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Opinion: David Fisher on finding peace with Billy Te Kahika
Activist Billy Te Kahika spoke with David Fisher ahead of a possible jail sentence.
![‘I shouldn’t have to go to jail’: Billy TK on Covid protest prison sentence](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘I shouldn’t have to go to jail’: Billy TK on Covid protest prison sentence
Activist Billy Te Kahika says jail term for protest 'threat to all'.
![Crewe murders: New evidence in NZ's most infamous cold case](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Crewe murders: New evidence in NZ's most infamous cold case
New forensic findings and a witness emerges who has never spoken publicly.
!['Perilous situation': Ahmed Zaoui's lawyer speaks of her fears for the NZ citizen](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Perilous situation': Ahmed Zaoui's lawyer speaks of her fears for the NZ citizen
A podcast special interview with imprisoned Ahmed Zaoui's lawyer Deborah Manning.
![‘Gutless’: Victim wants apology after TVNZ shared off-the-record material](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Gutless’: Victim wants apology after TVNZ shared off-the-record material
Email emerges showing TVNZ's "commitment" to a legal fight it then never took.
![Death penalty sentence possible for imprisoned Ahmed Zaoui](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Death penalty sentence possible for imprisoned Ahmed Zaoui
Lawyer Deborah Manning said Zaoui is being held in 'overcrowded' and 'harsh' prison.
![Journalist says he left TVNZ on a point of principle after interview details used in court](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Journalist says he left TVNZ on a point of principle after interview details used in court
Journalist speaks out on why he quit TVNZ's flagship Sunday current affairs show.
![Outrage over Māori lecturer comparing NZ colonisation with Israel-Palestine conflict](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Outrage over Māori lecturer comparing NZ colonisation with Israel-Palestine conflict
A complaint about Māori and Palestine reveals two wildly different narratives.
![‘Jacinda was ready to sell her grandmother': What drives Winston Peters’ coalition negotiations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Jacinda was ready to sell her grandmother': What drives Winston Peters’ coalition negotiations
Inside NZ First coalition talks and lessons insiders say Christopher Luxon needs to learn.
![Fatal dog attack: Family of elderly Moerewa woman 'devastated' by 'tragic loss'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fatal dog attack: Family of elderly Moerewa woman 'devastated' by 'tragic loss'
The woman had reportedly spent her entire life in the Far North community.
![Would-be National MP lays complaint against own party](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Would-be National MP lays complaint against own party
She wanted to be an National MP - now she's complained to police about the party.
![Election night with Winston Peters - a plea for a truce and a pathway for our nation](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Election night with Winston Peters - a plea for a truce and a pathway for our nation
OPINION: NZ First's Bay of Islands election night parties and what to expect after voting.
![National Party ‘broke the law’ says would-be National MP Uini Smythe with ‘clean slate’ drink-driving conviction](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
National Party ‘broke the law’ says would-be National MP Uini Smythe with ‘clean slate’ drink-driving conviction
Claims National Party "broke law" urging candidate to go public on conviction.
![Revealed: Which ministers crashed more under recent Labour, National Govts](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Revealed: Which ministers crashed more under recent Labour, National Govts
New Official Information Act data shows 10 years of ministerial car crashes.
!['Look, miracles do happen': Minor parties make their pitch](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Look, miracles do happen': Minor parties make their pitch
It's a crowded field for those polling under the 5% threshold - and a passionate one.
![Ahmed Zaoui arrested at gunpoint in Algeria - now being held in prison](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Ahmed Zaoui arrested at gunpoint in Algeria - now being held in prison
Former refugee was the centre of court battles over claims he was a terrorist.
![The switch in mood in Northland’s final election debate that got candidates talking](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
The switch in mood in Northland’s final election debate that got candidates talking
Debates in Northland have been called 'feral', 'misogynist' and 'racist'.
![Fatal crash probe slammed after police case against tourist driver collapses](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fatal crash probe slammed after police case against tourist driver collapses
New inquiry into police investigation highlights slew of failures in double-fatal crash.
![Hipkins tells Northland - your roads aren’t up to scratch (and neither were schools or hospitals)](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Hipkins tells Northland - your roads aren’t up to scratch (and neither were schools or hospitals)
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says North has been underfunded for years.
![Hipkins ‘angry’ at National’s ‘race-baiting’ - says Māori have most to lose](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Hipkins ‘angry’ at National’s ‘race-baiting’ - says Māori have most to lose
Hipkins says he refuses to stay silent on the issue and will stand up for Māori rights.
![Northland, the politics of belief and ‘Nimby’, ‘misogynist’ and ‘racist' voters](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Northland, the politics of belief and ‘Nimby’, ‘misogynist’ and ‘racist' voters
Can Labour's Willow-Jean Prime hold onto a seat her party has won only once since 1938?
![Locals free injured men after chopper rolls during take-off](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Locals free injured men after chopper rolls during take-off
Two people were in the aircraft when the incident happened at Whangaroa about 3.20pm.
!['I'm not a Russian agent': RNZ journo behind 'pro-Kremlin garbage' tells his story](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'I'm not a Russian agent': RNZ journo behind 'pro-Kremlin garbage' tells his story
Former Radio NZ journalist Mick Hall speaks on the "Russian propaganda" editing scandal.
![New Defence Force weapon is so powerful it might cause brain damage to those firing it](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New Defence Force weapon is so powerful it might cause brain damage to those firing it
Soldiers have been restricting to firing 30 training shots a day.
![Why did PM reject calls to honour Kiwi soldier's courageous mountain rescue?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Why did PM reject calls to honour Kiwi soldier's courageous mountain rescue?
Private David Stewart was one of six killed in the 1990 tragedy on Mt Ruapehu.
![Revealed: Audit shows Te Whatu Ora’s problem with contractors](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Revealed: Audit shows Te Whatu Ora’s problem with contractors
Audit into new health agency reveals 1100 contractors at head office.
![Clairvoyant who 'conned' $19m Lotto winner: Claims of debts emerge](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Clairvoyant who 'conned' $19m Lotto winner: Claims of debts emerge
Kim Helmbright created an aura of trust among those who befriended her.
![Inside Julian Batchelor's long-simmering property spat before his divisive co-governance tour](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Inside Julian Batchelor's long-simmering property spat before his divisive co-governance tour
Roadshow organiser's 15-year battle with DoC, Māori over access to land.
![Fatal police shooting of Kaoss Price was ‘legally justified’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fatal police shooting of Kaoss Price was ‘legally justified’
Kaoss Price died after being shot by a police officer in Taranaki last year.