David Fisher
Senior writer
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
Check out David’s latest content
Cheating husband’s ‘terrifying’ jail stretch after spurned lover faked assault claims
He ended a 15-month affair - and then his lover told police he threatened to kill her.
Teen navy cadet died unable to access Defence Force health experts
Inquiry released into the death of Navy cadet Sacha Piper in India.
SH1 open to the North: Mangamuka Gorge ready for summer traffic
Mangamuka Gorge has opened again after years of closure after rain caused multiple slips.
RSA rebel group threatens to quit national body
'Slow death' solution to RSA woes threatens to split the veterans' body.
Reviews expose Army training, health & safety, shortfalls after soldiers killed and injured
Serious injuries and deaths in the Army exposed failings in new reviews.
Exclusive: How much a Thai cop was paid by Kiwi brothers after holiday assault
Court judgment says cop asked that brothers get light sentence after compensation payment.
‘The cop needs to be held accountable’: Mum of man killed by 'unjustified' police shooting
Whānau of man killed by police speak out on 'unjustified' fatal shooting.
Fatal shooting of unarmed Kaoss Price by police was not justified, says IPCA
His family have slammed advice to not lay charges over his unjustified fatal shooting.
'Deeply disappointed': Lady Hekia Parata slams Veterans' Affairs
Veterans' agency seeks new High Court ruling to overturn Sir Wira Gardiner claim
'It's been a wild ride': Rebecca Russell quits Auckland rugby league after reforms
Russell reveals the changes she's made since uncovering fraud and mismanagement at ARL.
Grieving dad’s plea to WorkSafe to investigate rugby links between head knocks, brain injuries
An autopsy of John Guyton's son Billy found brain damage linked to rugby concussions.
Granddad's tragic and 'unnecessary' death after driver's licence suspended
Questions over police alert to NZTA about 86-year-old driver.
'Similar to concussion': New brain injury warning to NZDF troops over explosives
Brain damage links to blast waves prompt a warning to military personnel.
Released: Megaupload programmers who cut a deal are out of prison after 13 months
Parole granted for programmers who went on to build world-class business.
Sports star's brain damage fix that NZ Rugby won’t allow to be made public
A letter from NZR tells a star ex-player he can't speak on any brain injury solutions.
‘She wasn’t real’: Mother’s anguish when son’s suicide followed catfished love affair
A mother's grief exposed – new catfishing brings back the horror of her son's death.
The Puppeteer — inside the fantasy world of a woman who has catfished for 23 years
'Facebook predator' Natalia Burgess is again creating false identities online.
‘I’ve given my heart and soul’: League stalwart stripped of life membership
Former ARL chairman Cameron McGregor says the game should dump new chief executive.
'Didn’t smell right’: Rugby league's financial probe, ‘The Duchess' and battle for control
A new chief executive was appointed - and what she found left her astonished.
Exclusive: Auckland league CEO blows whistle on $7.2m spend
Probe into finances prompts CEO to speak out as battle for control of sport looms.
New SAS documents: Military lifts lid on elite combat unit
New document details NZSAS role with stories of the missions it carries out.
Inside the space school collapse: Where millions and Kiwi parents' money went
Debt of $19m for Australian parent company; director shifted assets before collapse.
'Can’t believe how stupid I have been’: Kiwi Kronic king jailed for 51 months in US
The Auckland millionaire businessman sent to prison after telling judge of regrets.
NZ's ‘King of Kronic’ in US jail
Matthew Wielenga is accused of a conspiracy involving 170kg of a substance designed in NZ.
Police Commissioner responds to criticisms over investigations into Aussie Malcolm's alleged abuse
The Police Commissioner says there was insufficient evidence to charge after initial probe
Aussie Malcolm: Victim of alleged sex abuse urges police to keep investigating
The former Cabinet minister was accused of sexually abusing boys.
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.
'Enough of the corruption': Kim Dotcom teases a return to politics
Facing extradition to the US, the entrepreneur promises 'direct democracy'.
NZSAS training in the spotlight as soldiers injured
One suffered frostbite, the other 'severe' lacerations to the face.
On the run: Champagne-and-oyster fugitive James Bryant accused of harassment
Maverick James Bryant is believed to have harassed his housemates.
Revealed: The 1992 police inquiry into prominent alleged paedophiles
Royal Commission's suspicions echo those raised in 1990s.
They lost their land over $221 of unpaid rates – then the new owners gave it back
Documents show a historic pā was taken from Māori in the 1970s for 'European hands'.
Kiwi brothers out of Thai prison, back in NZ after roadside struggle with cop
Hamish and Mattson Day express 'sincere gratitude' to everyone who helped get them home.
David Seymour’s special envoy in medicines is dumping his drug company investments
Act MP Todd Stephenson labels Labour slur as 'outrageous'.
Pharmac minister David Seymour met new Act MP’s former drug company employer
Todd Stephenson has links with two of the three companies Seymour met.
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
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
Police developed project amid concern road toll not budging with conventional approaches.
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
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
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
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
Alex Lang, also known as Donald McPherson, also featured in a $35m bank swindle.
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
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
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
Penk, a naval officer turned Veterans' Minister, sails into controversial waters.
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
Analysis: It harvested metadata in vast quantities, likely to find targets.
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
Badly behaving foreigners have been causing upset in Phuket.
'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
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
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
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
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
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’
A new judgment weighs the strengths of a 'novel' police case against business owners.
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
Ron Salter pleaded guilty and served his time - now police want $11m.
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
High-tech traffic cameras would use AI to check whether motorists broke the law.
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
A last-second dash through thick smoke saves classic ute.
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
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
Waitangi weekend brings greater risk and reward than previous years.
'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
The pensioner is reluctant to accept the $5000 - and asks: 'Why me?'
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
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
'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
Former barrister Christopher Harder claims Pike River truths have never emerged.
‘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
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
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
'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
New documents show 'high risk' in a US technique that killed an NZSAS trooper.
'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
Kamahl Santamaria quit under a 'family emergency' cloud and is now seeking 'transparency'.