Lane Nichols is Deputy Head of News and a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years' experience in the industry.
His career includes stints at the Nelson Mail, Dominion Post and currently the Herald. He has covered numerous rounds including fisheries, health, education and property, winning several national awards along the way. He has held senior newsroom leadership roles for nearly 15 years while also reporting on many high-profile news events and breaking countless exclusive stories. His current areas of focus include bank fraud and the surge of international investment scams. But he has also undertaken deep-dive investigations into the skydiving industry, mental health sector, property speculation, Kāinga Ora and misbehaving real estate agents. He is based in Auckland but remains a proud Wellingtonian. You can contact Lane at lane.nichols@nzme.co.nz.
Auckland Council drops charge as star witness vanishes in Waiheke vineyard case
The witness's mystery disappearance was linked to an 'employment issue'.
Listen: ‘Appalling on all levels’ – Experts slam ANZ for failing to prevent $250k scam
The victim says ANZ's failures directly contributed to her loss.
‘We were that close’: Couple narrowly avoid $270k scam after lawyer’s email hacked
The scam involved a fake invoice from their law firm's compromised account.
‘Huge relief’: Kiwi scam victims get some of their life savings back
The victims claimed Westpac failed in its duty of care by not conducting proper checks.
'Significant life safety risk': Staff backlash over use of quake-prone Police College buildings
Worried staff say their lives are being gambled with for the sake of 'productivity'.
'Totally dropped the ball': ANZ staff helped scam victim send $250k to known 'money mule'
The victim is shocked to learn the bank was on notice about the suspect account.
'Hopeless': Former lover ordered to pay more than $100k after manipulating dying man's will
The court found Lily Li had unduly influenced Frank Lane into giving her $500,000.
Westpac cleared after tellers help elderly widow withdraw $300,000 cash before death
It’s alleged that staff once gave $23,000 stuffed into an envelope to the woman.
‘He scammed me too’: CEO denies laundering $1.53m, says he was also duped
'I stand to be incarcerated. Who will look after my boys?'
Fast food giant cops $30k fine for breaching foreign buyer rules, top law firm tangled in dispute
The foreign investment watchdog says law firm did not provide advice on need for consent.
Auckland home crowned the city's noisiest property in 2024
Locals say barking dogs, people arguing and the sound of boy racers cause annoyance.
Awash with guns: Frontline cops face chilling daily arsenal of lethal firearms
The deadly arsenal includes military-style semi-automatic assault rifles.
'Snitches get stitches': Family want answers after child sex offender's 'unexplained' prison death
The family say they found unusual marks on the inmate's body.
Damning court judgment overturns dying man's $500k bequest to ex-lover
The will has now been ruled invalid after a judge found it was subject to undue influence.
'Sent to his death': Slain cop's mother seeks watchdog probe after son's murder
A police report suggests Hunt could have used his car as a weapon after coming under fire.
'High degree of culpability': Luxury Waiheke vineyard convicted and fined after long legal battle
The vineyard was earlier acquitted after blaming noise readings on 'chirping crickets'.
'Word of God': Destiny Church parents demand answers over 5-year abuse by youth leader
Victims' families believe Destiny Church failed to protect vulnerable boys.
'I'll take the blame': Destiny Church youth leader admits to hundreds of sexual abuses
The disciple abused the victims over five years at a house he shared with his mother.
Watch: British scammer caught on CCTV legging it from cops after being collared in CBD
Hennessy posed as a police courier to steal $337k from 21 victims.
'I have a mortgage': Ponsonby CEO charged over supercar 'road rage' case says he's not that wealthy
'Media has depicted me as a horrible person, someone that could beat up an elderly man.'
'Prurient interest': Name of Ponsonby CEO accused of $430K supercar 'road rage' attack suppressed
The wealthy company director will be allowed to keep his name secret – for now.
'Racing machine on the wrist': Scammer claims he was blackmailed over $200k watch
The scammer says UK criminals threatened his family and made him take flight to NZ
'Sickening': Female preschool teacher charged with possessing child abuse images
The teacher has been in court and has been granted interim name suppression.
'Return the stolen money': Elite private school refused to refund scam victim's 'tainted' $50K
Victim believes the school has a moral duty not to keep money from an alleged criminal.
Listen: Scammers who used deepfake Luxon video to steal $224,000 caught on recording
A fraud expert says the highly skilled scammers use psychological tricks to con victims.
Former lawyer accused of using laundered $400k on luxury home, private school fees
The disbarred lawyer claims multimillion-dollar business deals are at risk if he is named.
'Evil will come to you': Woman loses life savings to deepfake Luxon crypto scam
Scammers sent software giving them remote access to victim's device and bank account.
Banks set date to introduce key anti-scam measure, reimbursement question still hanging
Watchdog says it's 'shameful' banks took so long to introduce confirmation of payee tech.
Gong recipient who owes millions boasts of $8m fortune, alleged gang threat
South Auckland businessman faces alleged gang threat amid financial scandal.
Watchdog clears bank after branch manager helps customer send $250k to scammers
If the victim had lost the money in Britain, he would likely have received a full refund.
Auckland Council to forcibly sell cafe owner's properties after record $876k rates bill
Dilip Rupa was the first person prosecuted for refusing to display Covid-19 QR codes.
Gong recipient's firm owes $4m, including $180k for Rolls-Royce, says liquidator
Rahal has resigned as a JP and the Honours Unit is probing whether he should hold a gong.
Why did police not charge top Auckland school teacher after sex with student?
'He’s groomed her to the point where she has been unable to say no', the advocate claims.
Ponsonby CEO pleads not guilty over alleged road rage attack on pensioner
The man's lawyer claimed publication of his name could cause financial harm to his company
Top Auckland school responds to revelations former music teacher had sex with student
The Epsom college has criticised the Teaching Council in an email to parents today.
'Gross negligence': Family to sue banks after disabled son lost $250k in scam
Neither NZ nor Australian police are investigating the fraud due to a miscommunication.
Luxury Waiheke vineyard found guilty of noise breach, could be fined up to $600k
The vineyard was earlier acquitted after blaming noise readings on 'chirping crickets'.
Muslim school caught up in toxic receivership stoush involving warring charity, nearly $2m
The school was forced into lockdown this week after threatening videos were sent.
Dream trip that ended in tragedy: Coroner's findings into Queenstown skydiving death
The company defended its safety record, saying it complied with all relevant procedures.
Gong recipient surrenders JP warrants after $900k damages order, company liquidated
'Quite literally a cover-up.'
'Just hang up': Pensioner's devices hacked, identity stolen during cunning Spark scam
The scammer spoke to the pensioner by phone for three hours while controlling his devices.
'Spoiled child': Ponsonby CEO charged over road rage incident
The pensioner's family say the CEO should stop acting "like a spoiled child".
Auckland police custody officer charged with supplying cocaine, faces life in jail if convicted
Supplying cocaine carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Watchdog launches probe after Westpac helped pensioner withdraw $300k cash
It's alleged staff stuffed $23k into an envelope and handed it to the 89-year-old widow.
Watchdog launches probe after Westpac customer loses $323k in scam, bank CEO 'sorry' for huge loss
Westpac's CEO is confident it had acted appropriately and 'exercised our duty of care'.
Destiny Church scandal: New charges laid as two more victims come forward
The man now faces 18 charges in relation to five alleged victims.
Auckland Fullers worker accused of theft leaves job suddenly, police investigating
It's understood the woman was called to a meeting then left her job with immediate effect.
Home owner has good excuse for not paying $317,000 rate debt on South Auckland home - he's dead
No rates repayments have been made on the property since March 2005 - nearly 20 years.
Ponsonby CEO accused of beating pensioner in road rage attack involving $430k supercar
The pensioner claims the businessman threw him to the ground and rained blows to his head.
Disgraced real estate agent, convicted fraudster risks prison recall after alleged parole breach
The Parole Board will decide Aaron Drever's fate when it meets next month.
Scammer duped pensioners out of $337k in elaborate ruse involving 'covert' police sting, 'fake' currency
The scammer listened on the woman's phone 'from her pocket' when she visited the bank.
'Don't tell anyone': Lord of the Rings actor convicted of sexually violating girl
Auckland man played Rohan prince Théodred in the trilogy.
'A win': Banks strike cash settlements with scam victims who lost $400k
An elderly victim made 13 offshore money transfers to scammers with help from bank staff.
'Covered up': Auckland Council's $315m in 'secret' settlement payouts
Payouts include leaky building claims, employment severance and civil damages disputes.
Crown alleges eye surgeon strangled wife, staged death as a suicide
A jury has been chosen for the high-profile six-week trial.
'Last resort': Auckland Council selling Ōtara home to recoup $317k unpaid rates bill
The property's owner hasn't made a rates payment in 19 years.
Disgraced realtor admits impersonating businessman, could face jail time
Drever was jailed in 2022 for stealing $600,000 from a bowling club and speedway company.
Value for money? Kāinga Ora spent $20m – now land sits vacant, housing plans scrapped
The sale was the subject of a protected disclosure that resulted in a confidential payout.
Fresh charges filed against ex-Destiny Church disciple accused of sexually abusing teen boys
The 29-year-old now faces 14 indecent assault charges relating to three youths.
'I've just lost all my money': Accountant tricked into sending $300k to scammers
Police are hunting Ayom Wek who flew to NZ and faces 34 money-laundering charges.
'It feels wrong': Watchdog hands recordings of complainant's phone calls to bank
Westpac says it hasn't listened to the recordings and will hand them back in 'good faith'.
Watch: Man Tasered before death in custody, family hopes footage a 'wake-up call'
The video shows the man attacking a pensioner before he is Tasered by police and arrested.
'Witchcraft': Psychotic man who died in police custody saw ghosts before brutal attack on pensioner
A coroner says it is possible the prisoner suffocated while wearing a spit hood.
Arrest warrant, border alert issued for accused money launderer after court no-show
The man is accused of laundering nearly $250k in stolen money from two scam victims.
'Incompetence': Brian Tamaki slates police after Destiny Church follower charged with abuse
The accused man is facing six charges of indecent assault against two teenage victims.
Watchdog sends $300k scam victim's details to wrong email in privacy blunder
'What a bunch of idiots... How am I supposed to have any trust in the system?'
Destiny Church disciple charged with historical sexual assaults involving teenagers
The accused man is due to appear in Manukau District Court next week.
Family 'gobsmacked' after bank tellers help widow with dementia withdraw $300k
'What the hell did they think she was spending the money on?'
Tamaki addresses sexual abuse allegations involving banned disciple
'I had nothing to do with this alleged offender, I don’t even know him' - Brian Tamaki.
Destiny Church disciple stood down amid sex abuse claims, police probe
Police have launched an investigation into the 'historical sexual assault allegations'.
'Misled by lies': Divorcee loses $580k in romance scam
The victim was sent log in details to a fake UK bank account showing a balance of $3m.
'Cover-up': Honours recipient told to pay nearly $1m for deceptive sale of rotting home
A judge described the case as "quite literally a cover up".
'He was so bloody good': Scam victim accuses Westpac of negligence after $323k loss
The scammer had researched the victim's family and knew he had savings to invest.
NZ First candidate, former cop file complaint against Kiwibank after losing $500k in scam
The victims claim Kiwibank failed to monitor the account or carry out due diligence.
'I love the port, I still do': Former Port of Auckland boss takes stand in workplace death case
'Mr Gibson never sought to avoid his responsibilities to the port. He does not do so now.'
Kiwibank manager helped customer send $300k to scammers months after FMA warning
“I’m on anti-anxiety medication. I can’t work. What have I got to look forward to?"
Former Port of Auckland boss on trial for workplace death in unprecedented prosecution
It's the first time a large corporate CEO has faced charges over a workplace fatality.
Million dollar scam: The victims and the young Auckland mule
The pair had searched online for 'safe' investment opportunities.
Faces of the victims: The 25 scam casualties who lost $6.7 million to fraud
Meet the victims who bravely told their stories about being scammed.
'Failing consumers': Banks reviewing fraud rules after threat of Govt regulation
'Banks are paying lip service to this at the moment but I don’t see any action.'