Kirsty Johnston is an investigative reporter at the New Zealand Herald
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Are you being paid less than someone else doing your job?
Half of us say we've been paid less for doing the exact same job as another person.
How a groundbreaking programme is reducing men's violence
'The lesson for me was that resorting to violence wasn't going to change anything.'
Weta Workshop staffer claims she was dismissed after sexual harassment complaint
She said after a male staffer touched her bottom she was left in a 'state of panic'.
AUT sexual harassment claims: Fewer than a third of complaints investigated
University at centre of stalking scandal has "flawed" thinking on harassment, experts say.
After lockdown, three women were killed. The short lives and tragic deaths of Angela, Tania and Shirley
'They're not young, not beautiful, not tragic. They're the stories we forget all the time'
Government's Covid-19 response slammed for 'disproportionately' favouring men
'We'll end up looking like we did in the 1950s ... where the breadwinner was the guy.'
Workers distraught after restaurant chain lays off 150 despite wage subsidy
Good Group says pandemic has decimated business, and it kept as many staffers as it could.
Marist College to re-open despite 'new' Covid-19 case
"We are all looking forward to welcoming our students through our school gates."
Big Read: What went wrong at Waitakere Hospital?
Three elderly rest home residents are dead, and seven nurses are sick. What went wrong?
Hospital investigation finds nurses infected after PPE issues
Waitematā District Health Board launched an investigation after its first Covid-19 case.
'It would take a whole day' - long delay for basic Covid-19 info
The refusal follows well-documented issues with public health's ability to track cases.
'I feel let down, betrayed' - How it feels to be one of thousands of newly jobless
In April, more than 1000 people a day went on to a main benefit, with the worst to come.
Fears over children viewing pornography as traffic to adult sites soars in lockdown
Lockdown brings an increased probability that children will take additional risks online.
'Heartbroken': Neighbour's desperate attempt to save slain mum of two
Homicide victim Tania Hadley's neighbour desperately tried to save the Auckland woman.
'It breaks our heart': Devastated family pay tribute to slain mum of two
'Fly high our angel, thank you for all you did for us'
Big Read: How we can stop men's violence against women
A new report on family violence deaths shifts the focus to the behaviour of men.
Men's behaviour must be the focus to stop family violence deaths - report
'Demonising men who use violence hasn't worked ... we need to do things differently.'
Analysis: Who are New Zealand's new jobless?
One of the biggest information gaps we have is real-time data on unemployment.
Why women are bearing the brunt of frontline work during lockdown
They work in jobs long undervalued and underpaid, but made up the bulk of our frontline.
Contact tracing audit finds system 'beyond capacity' to isolate Covid-19 cases
The Government has allocated an extra $55 million to rapidly scale up contact tracing.
Scientists sound contact tracing alarm: Outdated system a 'dinosaur'
Behind closed doors, scientists are raising alarm about the gaps in NZ's system.
Covid 19: New Zealand vs. Australia - do we really want to be like them?
Some New Zealanders are increasingly envious of Australia's looser lockdown - is it right?
Code words at supermarkets possible for victims escaping violence
Agencies seek creative ways to help those trapped at home with an abuser amid Covid-19.
Stag party linked to 35 Covid-19 cases - what we know about the mystery cluster
The stag party is currently the fourth biggest cluster of Covid 19 cases in New Zealand.
Amid lockdown, a second epidemic is flourishing - domestic violence
Lockdown creates the perfect conditions for enabling abusers but silencing victims.
Bluff wedding cluster escalates further as Auckland clusters remain a mystery
Clusters have increasingly become the centre of the New Zealand coronavirus epidemic.
Tracing the clusters: How wedding, Marist infections spread across NZ
Clusters have become central to New Zealand's pandemic, with half of all new cases linked.
Inside the Matamata Covid 19 cluster: A case of Russian roulette
A pub, a St Patrick's Day party and a highly contagious virus. What could go wrong?
'It always came in summer': 95yo reflects on NZ epidemics past
With the advent of vaccines, epidemics have faded from memory. But we've been here before.
Live Q&A: Dr Michelle Wise answers your questions about pregnancy and Covid 19
Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Michelle Wise to take questions about birth and Covid 19
Anatomy of a nightmare: Inside the country's largest Covid-19 cluster
It's the largest cluster of Covid-19 cases in NZ. What happened at Marist College?
Domestic violence victims are trying to keep their children safe in lockdown. Their path is fraught
For victims of domestic violence and their children, the lockdown poses an extra risk.
Giving birth in a pandemic: 'It was a surreal, weird time'
"It was nerve-wracking... there's people everywhere with hand sanitiser and wearing masks"
'It feels kind of ominous' - we speak to those most at risk as New Zealand heads into lockdown
The lockdown is hard enough - but how does it feel if you're one of those most at-risk?
Sexually harassed by priest: Anglican parishioner finds justice after 15 years
The parishioner's settlement includes changes to church process and $100,000.
Macho, macho emissions: How masculine marketing of utes could be causing climate change
Could the obsession with big, manly cars stop us meeting our climate change commitments?
'All I want to do right now is hide': What it's like living in deadly fear of coronavirus
"It's kind of like, oh well, your life doesn't matter."
Abortion legalised in NZ: 'I should feel elated but I just feel flat'
COMMENT: Pace of change for gender equality is glacial, and yet we're told to be grateful.
Complacency kills: Lessons for NZ from the 1918 flu pandemic
Geoffrey Rice is an expert on the 1918 flu, and says lessons learned then can help now.
Health scare: MP collapses - 'I could have died ... silently'
Welfare minister Carmel Sepuloni tells her emergency surgery story for the first time.
Women complain of rape. In court, they're still asked about their clothing, flirting
A study of 40 rape trials found women were subject to 'brutal' cross examination.
Opulent, meticulous, beautiful: Inside look at the new $652 million luxury cruise ship
Travel goes on board the world's newest ultra luxury cruise ship.
Rogue landlords to face criminal court after tough new moves by investigators
Cases include repeat offenders and landlords the authorities believed wilfully ignorant.
How mum and dad are crowding out the hopes of a generation
If mum and dad buy all the houses, what's left for the kids?
Revealed: Who's really buying up NZ homes
More than a third of property in New Zealand owned by mum and dad landlords, data shows.
Comment: How the system stopped me reporting on sexual harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a secret by default. That's flawed.
Crimson again fighting to keep court action secret
A year ago, Crimson Consulting was sued by another education company. That's all we know.
Changing face of Auckland: Swathes of state housing coming to a suburb near you
It's one of Auckland's biggest changes since World War II and it's in almost every suburb.
We can't win: What the Grace Millane trial says about women and sex
Say no, you're a prude. Say yes, you're a slut. And whatever happens, women are to blame.
Grace trial fuels calls to change 'victim blaming' laws
Experts say Grace's sexual history should not have been allowed to be picked over in court
An exhausting fight: Couple considered giving up their daughter entirely
A new report has highlighted the huge strain on the disability sector.
Unresolved: Kiwi victims of sexual violence deserve better
Victims of reported sexual violence to police deserve better, writes Kirsty Johnston.
Disgraced bank boss David Hisco back in the lap of luxury
He billed the company $50,000 in chauffeurs and wine but doesn't want to talk about it.
Ani's story: Inside New Zealand's unending state house crisis
More families are struggling to afford a place to live. But the state safety net is gone.
'We are in deep trouble': Dire lack of state housing creates a new homeless
"If we don't get housing right – everything else suffers – it affects everyone."
Studies, parties and drink: a deadly culture
Dunedin house-party tragedy raises questions about city's - and NZ's - drinking culture.
Dunedin party death: Police will consider criminal nuisance charges, experts say
Police say they are trying to form a timeline of the events which led to student's death.
Student party death: Sophia's family remember 'beautiful' daughter
It was billed as the party of the year. It will end with the funeral of a friend.
'Scream and I'll kill you' - what happened to serial stalker case?
Detectives unable to determine if up to a dozen incidents are linked.
Former Shorty St star's rise to be NZ's No 1 house flipper
Paul Reid's company traded an astonishing 70 properties in a single year.
Best of 2019: Property speculators made $1000 a day during boom
They were some of the bogeymen of the boom years. But what did house flippers really do?
Flipping hell! Property profits of $1k a day
The busiest operators flipped more than 10 homes each, every year of the boom.
Niue: Eclipse of the heart as a dark sky tourist
A rare solar eclipse on a tropical island - what could go wrong? The weather, of course.
Anti-vaxx debate: Vaccination rates plummet for NZ babies
Just 77 per cent of six-month-old babies are now getting their vaccines on time.
Niue: Turning on to switching off
A week on an isolated island forces rumination on the value of silence and solitude.
Shoebox city: Would you live in an apartment twice the size of a prison cell?
Studio apartments just 21 square metres built in Auckland despite planning rules.
Council's warning over illegal garage conversions: We will prosecute
"We are really concerned about landlords creating substandard living environments."
Fatal overdose: The case health officials don't want you to know about
An intellectually disabled person was given an overdose by staff and died in care.
Taxman cometh: IRD hunts $80m in missing property taxes
Up to a quarter of transactions where brightline rule should apply may be non-compliant.
KiwiBuild: Less than half of houses sold as PM set to announce Cabinet reshuffle
Data reveals most Kiwibuild houses haven't been snapped up as expected.
'He had no reason to be there': Rest home sex attacker's sinister behaviour before assault
Witness statements reveal Grant Hannis visited more than any other family member.
Auckland councillor urges officials to investigate over 'utility rooms'
Chris Darby said if converting garages for profit is rife, it needs further investigation.
City of Sales: Inside look at Auckland's property investors
With the boom years over, property investors gather to learn how to get rich in a downturn
Would you live here? Garage renos aimed at vulnerable tenants
Garage conversions add value to a house sale, but have been described as "exploitation".
Groundbreaking meth pilot gets $4m in Budget
Te Ara Oranga sees police and health staff work together in Northland to treat addicts.
Ferry fury: Waiheke passengers 'hold gangway hostage'
Some crew are refusing to work on the Waiheke run because they are scared
Fighting the demon: Inside NZ's failure to fix meth crisis
New Zealand is home to one of the most lucrative methamphetamine markets in the world.
Watch: Life as a meth addict - 'It's like being possessed'
Lucy lives a life consumed by addiction. But can she get it back?