Reporter, NZ Herald
George Block is an Auckland-based reporter covering mostly crime but also police, the courts, prisons and sometimes defence. He joined the Herald in 2022 and has previously worked at Stuff in Auckland and the Otago Daily Times in Dunedin. He can be reached on george.block@nzherald.co.nz or securely via Whatsapp / Signal on +64273041775.
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.
Bloods gang added to patch ban list after initially being missed out
Also added to the list is Auckland's TwoEight Brotherhood, taking the total to 37 gangs.
Gang patch ban: Head Hunters West boss back in court
He allegedly displayed gang insignia on the day the ban came into force.
Corrections to monitor private Auckland prison after gang members' viral Tiktoks
The Ombudsman has also raised concerns over the treatment of people inside Auckland South.
Businessman acquitted on all charges in strangulation case
The jury was asked to weigh whether it was a case of strangulation or self-defence.
Was it strangulation or self-defence? Jury retires in high society Auckland trial
Ron Mansfield KC has suggested the woman wanted evidence to support a $100,000 claim.
Chinese naval vessels shadowed NZ Navy ship during recent mission
If Kiwis launched a helicopter in the hotly contested waters, so too would Chinese.
Woman accusing businessman of strangulation sought $100k from him, trial hears
The businessman is on trial accused of strangling and repeatedly assaulting his ex.
Businessman accused of strangling girlfriend acted in self-defence - lawyer
The wealthy businessman is accused of strangling and repeatedly assaulting his ex.
Cash envelope returned to Head Hunters after cops misread ‘drags profit’ as ‘drugs profit’
'Drugs profit' on the envelope was actually 'drags profit', referring to a racing event.
Charter boat mayhem: ‘Intoxicated' passengers escape charges after Viaduct arrests
The booze cruise descended into anarchy on Saturday as fights broke out on board.
Exclusive: Police already seeking to expand list of groups subject to gang patch ban
Crips are on the list but the Bloods are not. That could be set to change.
Lawyer Peter Kaye dies days after ex-MP daughter Nikki
77-year-old remembered as 'one of the great advocates of his generation'.
Gang patch ban: Alleged Head Hunters West president in court
Phillip Robarts allegedly displayed gang insignia same day patch ban kicked in.
Woman alleges drunk Auckland businessman lunged at her like MMA fighter
Ron Mansfield KC took aim at her evidence in hours of tense cross-examination.
'Fighting for my life': Woman describes alleged attack by Auckland businessman on trial for assault
The man denies all four charges and is defending the allegations in a trial this week.
Kim Dotcom suffers life-threatening stroke amid extradition fight
Lawyer says the family 'does not know what tomorrow will look like'.
The colourful life and tragic death of a pensioner murdered in his Queen St apartment
Herbert Bradley foresaw his own death, but who was the 70-year-old murdered last year?
Man who plunged knife into neck of pensioner flatmate guilty of murder
Bradley died after a desperate struggle over a knife in his Upper Queen St apartment.
Liz Gunn fails in bid to dodge conviction for Auckland Airport assault
Gunn has continued to show no remorse and told the Herald the victim was a liar.
Woman describes desperate struggle over knife before pensioner fatally stabbed in Auckland apartment
Was the killing of Herbert Bradley self-defence or murder?
Murder-accused claims self-defence after plunging knife into elderly flatmate's neck
A woman formerly accused of murder has turned Crown witness.
Auckland prison inmate goes viral with video of guards filmed behind bars
The King Cobra has had his phone seized now.
Mongols Motorcycle Club member riding off Cook Strait ferry intercepted by police
Police are out in force for the gang's fifth anniversary festivities in Christchurch.
Gulf Harbour body in bag: Trio in court charged with manslaughter
The charges come eight months after they are accused of kidnapping Shulai Wang.
Ex state ward stole $140k BMW from Auckland dealership then led police on 200km/h joyride
Locked up as a child 23 hours a day in a small, stifling room, he's now back behind bars.
Courthouse error: Police mistakenly set free a convicted killer in Manukau
Police admit courthouse bungle.
New data suggests doomed Manawanui was delayed a day for last-minute testing
The ship struck a reef and sank off Samoa.
How a gang member masterminded 200kg meth import from behind bars
Operation Brewer cracked encrypted phone messages to unravel the ingenious plot.
Man sought over fatal Onehunga bus stabbing jailed earlier this year for threatening to kill
He received a sentence of less than two years in May, and was released shortly after.
Construction and oil industry pair granted bail after steel beam meth bust
More than 500kg of meth was allegedly smuggled inside some of 42 steel beams.
'Greed can't come before safety': Mum of dead worker on boss' $4m deal with police
Lawyers negotiated a deal after police opened case in seven-week trial earlier this week.
Auckland construction, oil industry figures charged in major meth bust
The pair are among five men before the courts over the seized drugs.
‘Mayday, mayday, New Zealand warship grounded’: New details of Manawanui rescue revealed
The Herald has obtained exclusive new accounts of the brave rescue, fraught with danger.
Exclusive: British warship finds crucial evidence from wreck of HMNZS Manawanui
The record book should show all that happened on the bridge, including orders given.
Auckland man who threatened to kill family during bungled meth import gets nine years
Finau, shot in the face four years ago, was lured into a gang by the offer of a motorbike.
Watch: 'Deeply... misogynistic' – Minister slates sexist criticisms of Navy commander after sinking
Collins took aim at what she called 'armchair admirals'.
Philip Polkinghorne trial timeline: Nine weeks that gripped the nation
The Auckland eye surgeon was accused of killing wife Pauline Hanna in their Remuera home.
Sex, drugs and despair: Inside the Polkinghorne murder trial, which gripped the nation
The eye surgeon's eight-week murder trial was based on circumstantial evidence.
'Murder mystery' Crown case in Polkinghorne killing relies on a 'phantom', defence says
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
'Unmasks the murderer': Crown lays out case for Polkinghorne's guilt in closing address
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna at their Remuera home.
Polkinghorne murder trial: Most suicides don't leave notes - defence
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Polkinghorne trial: Juror discharged for personal reason
The Remuera eye surgeon is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Polkinghorne trial: Defence pathologist says lack of injuries in strangling victims rare
The Remuera eye surgeon is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Alleged accessory to Grey Lynn murder defiant in dock, winks at media
It emerged in court that police are yet to find the firearm allegedly used to kill Repia.
Judge issues minute explaining why Polkinghorne trial won't sit today
The Remuera eye surgeon is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
'You are my servant': Auckland bus driver abused then punched in face
A passenger told the driver it was his country, later unleashing a vicious assault.
Pathologist says he would have ruled death a suicide; trial to continue for another week
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
'Pretty grim stuff': Veteran pathologist gives evidence in Polkinghorne trial
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Polkinghorne considered selling Remuera home: Accountant
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of strangling his wife, Pauline Hanna.
Polkinghorne's investment adviser tells of eye surgeon's $2.2m portfolio
He had invested into Apple, Amazon and other large multinationals.
Overnight deal buys Darleen Tana more time, but Greens keen to 'move on'
The parties struck a deal before Thursday's court hearing.
Polkinghorne murder trial not sitting today, defence to open tomorrow
The trial will resume on Friday at 10am.
Police intercepted Polkinghorne's calls before he was charged, jury told
Philip Polkinghorne is accused of having strangled his wife in their Remuera home.
Pauline Hanna started message on phone at 4am morning of death, defence says
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of having strangled wife Pauline Hanna.
Head Hunters assets case: Police win long fight to seize pad, millions in profits
The major blow to the Head Hunters follows long police investigation Operation Coin.
'You know damn well': Tense cross-examination at Polkinghorne trial
Polkinghorne's lawyer has engaged in a tense exchange with a detective in court.
'I want you in my life' Polkinghorne told escort girlfriend after wife's death
The Auckland surgeon is accused of having murdered his wife and staging her suicide.
'We are going to last 100 years,' Polkinghorne told escort after wife's death
A detective revealed Hanna had set a calendar reminder for the night of April 5.
‘You do spoil me’: Private letters between Polkinghorne and wife released
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of having murdered his wife Pauline Hanna.
Polkinghorne paid Aussie escort Madison Ashton over $100k, trial hears
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife Pauline Hanna.
Meth detected on air con in Polkinghorne's consult room, jury hears
The jury weren't required in the High Court yesterday.
Birthday fishing trip turns to tragedy as boat rolls, one dead one rescued
The boat was really smashed after it rolled crossing the bar, a witness said.
Fear, strangulation, pathology and a note – week three of the Polkinghorne trial
Sex and drugs in Remuera: read the Herald's wrap of the entire week's evidence.
Pauline Hanna considered driving into a truck, GP reveals
Today the trial shifts to a new venue as Pauline Hanna's GP faces questions.
'Justice for Pauline': Friend grilled on motivation for murder trial testimony
Pauline Hanna's friend continues giving evidence on day 14 of the murder trial.
Polkinghorne previously put hands around wife's neck as a threat, trial hears
The eye surgeon is accused of strangling his wife then staging a suicide.
Pathologist testifies: ‘no indication… there was a violent attack’ on Polkinghorne’s wife
The eye surgeon is accused of strangling his wife then staging a suicide.
Tensions rise during cross-examination of pathologist
Pauline Hanna's stress level before her death has become a significant part of the defence
Polkinghorne trial: Eye doctor's hairdresser reveals another sex worker relationship
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled his wife then staging a suicide.
'Beastly' Polkinghorne became 'enraged' at wife, trial hears
This morning the jury visited the Remuera home where Pauline Hanna died.
Lawyer says Polkinghorne’s wife tried to end her life in 1992
The eye surgeon is accused of having strangled his wife before staging a suicide.
Watch: Polkinghorne describes finding wife dead in police interview
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of fatally strangling wife Pauline Hanna.
Jury hears of raid on Polkinghorne's chalet shared with escort after wife's death
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of having strangled his wife then staged a suicide.
Polkinghorne trial: ‘Something wasn't right' - Family friend describes 'unusual incident'
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of having strangled his wife and staged a suicide.
Disturbing new evidence becomes focus of Polkinghorne murder trial
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of having strangled his wife and staged a suicide.
Polkinghorne trial: What ESR scientist found in Remuera home where Pauline Hanna died
The jury of three men and nine women expects to hear from 62 witnesses in total.
Beach Haven shooting: Alleged drug importer with gang links targeted
The 33-year-old on money laundering and drug charges was bailed to the Beach Haven address
Polkinghorne murder trial: rope expert and evidence of bedroom's disarray dominate day four
The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of strangling his wife and staging it as a suicide.
Pair charged over mystery body in the bag can now be named
The identity of the woman remains unconfirmed.