Kurt Bayer is NZ Herald's South Island Head of News based in Christchurch, covering the South Island and stories of national interest.
Kurt Bayer is South Island Head of News for the NZ Herald based in Christchurch, covering the South Island and stories of national interest. He has been with the Herald since 2011. Prior to being at the Herald, Kurt spent a decade working with a national news agency providing coverage for regional, national and international publications including The Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, Sun, The Times, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian, and Scotsman. Since 2011 post the Christchurch earthquake, Canterbury has provided a busy beat, with more quakes, royal commissions of inquiry, long-running insurance wrangles, plus the ongoing fallout from the Pike River mine disaster, the March 15 terror attacks, and high-profile murder cases like the ‘Black Widow’ Helen Milner, the Ashburton WINZ slayings, and dozens of others. While often reporting on live and breaking stories, Kurt also has an interest in covering military history, leading the Herald’s WWI centenary coverage and ghost-writing the Sunday Times number one bestseller, The Forgotten Highlander, as well as antiquaries, cricket, and quirky human interest stories. In 2021, he was named Voyager Media Awards Crime & Justice Reporter of the Year while also winning Regional Journalist of the Year. In 2017, he went to write about the South Island Gumboot Throwing Championships and came away with the longest throw of the day and an invitation to compete at the national championships, finishing fourth – behind Dame Valerie Adams. You can contact Kurt Bayer at kurt.bayer@nzherald.co.nz.
'Grave concerns': Partner describes unfolding horror when Yanfei Bao never came home
A Chinese national denies killing and is standing trial in Christchurch.
Yanfei Bao case: Estate agent lured to house and murdered, high-profile trial hears
A Chinese national denies killing and is standing trial in Christchurch.
Who killed Christchurch estate agent Yanfei Bao? High-profile trial starts today
A Chinese national denies her killing and will face trial in Christchurch.
A NZ spy, massacres, and a daring rescue - a tiny nation's bloody road to peace
A violent backlash killed hundreds and left thousands displaced.
‘I know bugger all about it’: Mayor on LIV Golf coming to Christchurch
The controversial tour has visited a Christchurch golf course as it looks to branch out.
'Blood on their hands': Father of baby who died suddenly warned OT infant 'not safe' before tragedy
Police investigating the death of a 2-month-old boy say the death is 'unexplained'.
Release of captive NZ pilot in Papua remains ‘top priority’ for Government after killing of fellow Kiwi
NZ Government seeks answers over how separatist rebels killed chopper pilot.
'No more bloodshed': Liberation leader's plea after Kiwi pilot shot dead in Papua
His family say he was 'the most caring and loving husband and dad'.
Christchurch missing real estate agent Yanfei Bao believed found
Yanfei Bao had been missing for more than a year.
What old-school motorcycle gang is making a comeback?
Patches spotted in city streets have caught the attention of police.
'I can still shoot around par': NZ's greatest on why golf is the best sport ever invented
Sir Bob Charles on playing well into his 80s and giving something back.
Missing Chinese woman found alive in 'company of somebody she knows'
Ping Lyu had last been seen in Christchurch on Saturday.
US tip-off leads to Christchurch man's arrest for allegedly owning child sex material
Customs raided the man's home this morning - he was allegedly uncooperative.
Gunman takes taxi to evade police; arrest made this morning
A 24-year-old man is due to appear in court today.
Play it again, Sam: Our most famous actor on home, Hollywood friends, wine, and ageing
Sam Neill speaks to Kurt Bayer during wine harvest at his Central Otago vineyards.
Portrait of a killer as a young man: How David Hawken nearly got away with 1995 murder
Former hardman spoke to Kurt Bayer in a series of interviews while awaiting trial.
Sold: Rare deed revealing Britain’s first attempt to colonise NZ fetches six figures
Islands were bought from Māori for 'one double barrel gun... eight muskets’.
Self-made multimillionaire 'Spud King' farmer dies
Allan Pye passed away at the weekend, aged 83.
An avalanche of grief: How two young Kiwis perished on a Japan mountainside
Pierre Nixon and Kurt Bayer report on a double tragedy.
‘Eight muskets and one barrel of powder’: Britain’s first attempt to colonise NZ revealed
Rare document shows sale of four islands in Hauraki Gulf years before Treaty of Waitangi.
Collapse of an empire: How a South Island gang boss was brought down from inside
Kurt Bayer reports on the fast rise, and even faster fall, of an underworld kingpin.
Meet the 'Spud King': Millionaire says farming 'better than sex'
Herald journalist Kurt Bayer meets a quiet, self-made millionaire who just loves farming.
Shock resignation: Christchurch city council chief executive steps down
It comes after behind-closed-doors talks last week.
Pike River movie production starts on West Coast
New film aims to tell story following explosions which killed 29 men.
McCaws' mansion: All Blacks legend builds luxury home in Wānaka
Planning documents show the scale of the multi-million dollar riverside development.
'Less than three months for each kid': Father of teen killed by mate furious at parole decision
'The system is about the living, not the dead,' father says after driver serves 16 months.
'Vibing along': Mum's tribute to teen fatally struck by train while listening to music
Shaun Reynolds, 18, died while 'vibing along to his music dancing along the train tracks'.
Deadly love triangle: The woman at the centre of fatal dispute between two best friends
A former prison guard's been found guilty of murdering his estranged partner’s new lover.
Big read: No body, no gun - the murder of Mike McGrath
The full story of the former prison guard who killed his old mate.
Notorious gang pad property still for sale
Old bikers sold the clubhouse land to council for more than $1m.
The Nixon files: Secret papers reveal Richard Nixon’s visit to New Zealand
'Tricky Dicky' was 'not a man of any great humour', declassified documents say.
The Eagle has landed? National considering bringing police helicopter to Christchurch
The party's Dale Stephens says he's backing calls for an Eagle in the city.
Winston Peters accuses Labour of 'dirt campaign' amidst racism stoush
Peters says his candidate Rob Ballantyne was referring to "the disease of co-governance".
The Big Read: Christchurch mayor on Commonwealth Games, fast cars, and dreaming big
The mayor sits down with Kurt Bayer to reflect on his first year in office.
Lachie Jones tragedy: Police admit missing steps probing toddler’s mysterious death
The 3-year-old was found face up in a small town’s oxidation pond 1.2km from home.
Gang land: Old Devils Henchmen property hits the market
The prime industrial land is expected to fetch big money.
Yanfei Bao's employer speaks of 'very heavy hearts' as search efforts ramp up
Teams will be looking for the missing woman from the air, on land and in the water.
'Throwing them in jail not the answer': Hipkins defends ram raids response
Business gathering told 'don't underestimate how seriously we’ve been taking this'.
Behind bars: Prisoners put to work building new social housing
The Herald goes behind the wire for a tour of a busy prison construction yard.
Missing real estate agent: Colleagues helping with search as concerns mount
Police are appealing for information regarding the disappearance.
‘Help us find my beloved wife’: Husband’s plea as fears rise for missing real estate agent
Police are appealing for information regarding a missing Christchurch real estate agent.
‘Heavy-handed’: Police apologise after serving of safety order
Man left bloodied, shaken after officers detained him for a police safety order.
Rescued children: Boy, 8, given day off school as he recovers from night lost in bush
Father relieved after nightmare night searching for kids lost in remote bush.
The violent path to a Mongrel Mob boss' death
A series of 'violent incidents' in Ōpōtiki in the preceding days have been uncovered.
Kiwi tourist stabbed in Vancouver: 'Did this actually just happen to me?’
A New Zealand holidaymaker speaks after a terrifying, unprovoked street attack.
Kiwi tourist stabbed in Vancouver in ‘random and unprovoked attack'
Police investigating the ‘unprovoked’ stabbing in the city’s downtown area.
Collapse of an empire: How a South Island gang boss was brought down from inside
Kurt Bayer reports on the fast rise, and even faster fall, of an underworld kingpin.
NZ Cricket’s new cash cow: How lucrative Indian deal is already paying dividends
More than 200 contracted players expecting cheques from NFTs windfall this month.
World’s oldest single malt from WWll selling for $600k-plus lands in NZ
The rare bottle is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Sir James Wallace case: Top institutions distance themselves from sex offender
Organisations scramble to remove links to disgraced former rich-lister and philanthropist.
Patched over: Comancheros muscle in and take over gang pad
Aggressive move shakes up city’s underworld, while police monitor gang-linked tangi.
The Brotherhood: Secret behind 25 years of Crusaders success revealed
Herald journalist Kurt Bayer on the move that sparked a sporting dynasty.
More human remains found at Pike River: 'They may even be my boy' - father
Latest find means 12 of the 29 men killed in 2010 disaster have now been located.
Fall of Kabul: Pair tried charging fleeing Afghan evacuees; charges laid
Two men have appeared in court accused of seeking $450,000 in fees.
Infamous villa linked to grisly murder probe up for sale
Fire-damaged home searched twice by police during homicide inquiry.
Two people confirmed dead after car, school bus crash in rural Canterbury
St John is treating several patients, people in the car have been injured, police say.
Patched over: Entire Rebels MC chapter become Comancheros
Sudden move sends shockwaves through the underworld and gang tension fears mount.
Rangiora homicide: Woman appears in court charged with being accessory after alleged murder
Richard Leman's body was found inside a parked car seven weeks ago.
Oranga Tamariki 'fraud': Pair charged with $2 million scam
Pair also face charge of money laundering $791,500.
Tears, fears, and too many beers: A typical day in court
Some beg for mercy. Some are bored. Kurt Bayer spends a day in court.
Man pleads guilty after firing at targets of Jacinda Ardern and other politicians in video
The video shows an individual repeatedly shooting images of politicians.
The town NZ forgot: Meet those refusing to leave the abandoned post-disaster zone
Kurt Bayer reports on a stoic group who refuse to leave ‘paradise’.
Euro vision: Sir Grahame Sydney hosts tour of Europe’s top art galleries
Legendary NZ painter to explain Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Monet on exclusive new tour.
Wedding chopper crash: Newlyweds file lawsuit against Robinson helicopters
Young couple and photographer suffered severe injuries in crash just after vows.
Gore council divide: CEO speaks out over bullying allegations
Rift between NZ’s youngest mayor and chief executive means they no longer talk.
Rangiora homicide victim's body dismembered, several parts still missing
Richard Leman's body was found inside a parked car seven weeks ago.
Body in the car case: Sister speaks of seven weeks of ‘total fear’
Richard Leman's body was found inside a parked car, today a man was charged murder.
Rangiora body in the car case: Armed police arrest murder suspect
A 46yo man has been charged with murder after armed police raided a Rangiora property.
First XV sideline abuse: Top NZ actor and old boy slams 'utterly unacceptable' antics
Annual match between prestigious Christchurch schools marred by fight, abuse, and slurs.
Punches, homophobic slurs and abuse: Inside Canterbury's biggest first XV rivalry
Kurt Bayer reports from a highly-charged first XV grudge match that turned sour.
Family of NZ economist blast 'farce' trial amid claims of paid-off witnesses
Ex-Micronesian government advisor denies sex and child trafficking allegations.
How an original biker gang outwitted pad-raiding young rivals and pocketed $1m
Kurt Bayer reports on how a remarkable underworld saga unfolded.
Angela Blackmoore cold case murder: New trial date confirmed
The young mum was brutally murdered in her home 28 years ago.
Decorated police dog handler dies on hunting trip with mates
Bruce Lamb, whose dog Gage once saved his life from a gunman, has died.
No body, no weapon murder case: Ex-prison guard to face retrial; new date confirmed
Michael McGrath disappeared in 2017 and has never been found.
Giant 140kg shipment of meth bound for NZ uncovered in Canada
The smuggling find comes after a string of record-breaking drug busts.
Animals shot dead by police: The numbers are revealed
Cows, dogs, sheep, deer, even a hare, all come in the firing line.
Homicide probe: Police raid property in connection with man’s death
Richard Leman's body was found inside a car parked in a garage in Rangiora last month.
Bell of the brawl: NZ's youngest mayor survives no confidence vote
The future of the council had been hanging in the balance.