Malisha Kumar is a Multimedia Journalist based in the Waikato.
Malisha covers a wide variety of news right around the region. She studied journalism at AUT in Auckland and has previously worked for Radio 1xx in Whakatane before joining NZME in 2023. You can contact Malisha at malisha.kumar@nzme.co.nz.
'Powerful, pure soul': Hamiltonian shaves hair in support of mum's cancer battle
The Waikato Herald told her story last week. Now she's taken part in Shave for a Cure.
Man attempted second home invasion after police no-show
Three hours after terrifying invasion attempt, man tries to enter another home in street.
Myeloma warrior woman: Hamiltonian's brave fight against incurable cancer
The 60yo showed no cancer signs until an unrelated netball injury landed her in hospital.
39 years in Taupiri - no problems. 3 weeks in Huntly and $40,000 worth of bikes vanish
One of the stolen bikes was a Triumph that was only purchased six weeks ago.
Crews to monitor Meremere fire over long weekend
“There will still be some fire activity at the site for the foreseeable future."
Watch: Footage shows early stages of Waikato fire getting 'out of control'
Drones will monitor hotspots overnight and firefighting operations will resume tomorrow.
'Another ridiculous gold rush': Group vows to continue fight against new mine
A controversial Waikato mining site has the Government’s green light of approval.
Smoke from Waikato scrub fire moves up and across Coromandel
Public has been asked not to fly drones near where Fenz is fighting fire.
Watch: Aerial footage shows extent of growing Waikato wetland fire
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze off Island Block Rd about 1.15pm on Monday.
Tūrangi Foodbank feeding a big slice of town's population
Tūrangi Foodbank has already delivered 1567 food parcels since October 2023.
20-hectare scrub fire burning swampland in North Waikato
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze off Island Block Rd about 1.15pm.
Taupō school in lockdown after threatening email
Police at the school as a precautionary measure.
Future management of 'two waters' in Waipā still being reviewed
Waipa District Council's Dawn Inglis said the CCO is about “how we manage debt"
Waikato solar farms, mines, housing projects, and highways make Fast Track Bill
The 19 Waikato projects are spread across infrastructure, energy, housing and mining.
Easier than taxes: Bean counter turns to cookbooks
A best-selling cookbook author says she's 'not a foodie' but loves simple recipes.
Girl, 14 missing since Sunday, family seeking information
Alizayh 14, has been missing from her Huntly home since October 6.
Three people trapped following truck vs car crash in Pukeatua
Three people have been extricated from a car, following a two-vehicle crash in Waipa.
Tennis club marks its 100th birthday in style
The clubhouse has had a $270k upgrade and celebrates 100 years this weekend.
'Part therapy': Business resilience celebrated
More than 80 local businesses in Taupō entered the 2024 Stella Awards.
Residents join forces to save beach-nesting birds
The funding boost allows 30 households to join the pest-trapping effort.
Councils consider changes to water management in Hamilton and Waikato District
A new organisation could help the councils tackle growth, maintenance, and rising costs.
Motorists warned after man attempts to enter vehicle waiting at lights
A man attempted to enter a car on the Te Wharepu Road Off-Ramp, Rangiriri, on Monday.
'It takes a village' to support a mum who's lost a baby
Without any prenatal warning baby Connor died at just one hour old.
Waikato Muslims to showcase Māori Quran
Shakil Ahmad Monir spent more than 20 years working on the Māori Quran.
'Like a cyclist': Treat riders as vulnerable road users campaigner says
“We are legally allowed on the road and should be able to do so safely.”
Person dies in Waikato workplace incident
Emergency services were called to a Cambridge address at 12.30pm on Tuesday.
'You're not alone': On a mission to help women through menopause
'That tells you that right at the age when you could become a CEO women are dropping out.'
Aunty of driver blames police for lack of action before dog walker killed on SH23
Woman says the vehicles of interest never left the accident scene.
Dog walker filmed walking in middle of dark road shortly before being fatally hit
The man can be seen holding up traffic as he walks with his dog in the dark.
Man found dead on highway near Raglan
Police are looking for vehicles of interest, a Ford Falcon and a Mazda Axela.
'Well-known and respected': Bishop Denis George Browne, 86, dies after long illness
He led the Hamilton diocese from 1994 to 2014 and a priest for more than 60 years.
Hamilton teenager all set to take on the world's best billiards players on home soil
Alexandria Endres, 19, has been playing pool since she was 12.
'A symbol of hope': Waikato memory meadows in full bloom on Daffodil Day
Two Waikato parks have transformed into a sea of yellow daffodils.
'Kamikaze killing mode': More than 30 sheep killed by roaming dogs
It's in a dog's DNA to kill says a farmer left with 16 dead stock.
Erosion found on both sides of Waikato River control gates
The banks on either side of the Lake Taupō bridge need stabilising.
Grandfather found dead in the Waikato River - family say police should have done more
Norman Hyslop's body was eventually found by a member of the public.
One person in critical condition after three-vehicle crash in Te Awamutu
Emergency services are attending a serious three-car crash in central Te Awamutu.
Dog's life saved thanks to 12k social media followers
The paralysed pooch was diagnosed with help from his fans.
One person in serious condition after water tanker rolls
One patient was taken to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.
Stolen ute believed to have been used to ram police car
A police officer was knocked to the ground during the incident.
Musician who wrote debut album over five years of high school wins recognition
Music provides 'safe space' for young musician and youth advocate.
Writing was 'one of my weaker areas' says 16-year-old author of three books
“I just want to inspire youth to know they can do anything possible no matter what."
Alis Bouma: Finding alternatives to cars and capitalism
'I don’t want to be living in a world where I’m driving to work for the rest of my life.'
'On a mission for Māori': Boynton drives financial independence in 'Māori Millionaire' podcast
From broke uni student at 17 to finance podcast host and founder at 20.
Police say Waikato retirement village death not suspicious
Police say investigations did not identify anything to suggest the death was suspicious.
MIssing teen comes home
Girl had been last seen at her Te Awamutu home on Tuesday evening.
Body found believed to be that of missing 84-year-old
Norman was last seen on Sunday but his family says his body has been found.
'He was completely gone': Lost dog found in a coma, now wants a home
Kenny was unresponsive and suffering from 'acute toxicity' when brought to SPCA.
'We don’t get sudden deaths often': Retirement village chairman on investigation
No police could be seen at the address on Thursday morning.
Police investigations continue after death at retirement village
Police were still at the scene today.
Police investigate 'unexplained death' at retirement home
An increased police presence is expected in the town as enquiries continue.
Motorist 'paranoid' after narrowly avoiding head-on motorway collision with wrong-way driver
'Your brain goes into overdrive and you start thinking, imagine if you had looked down.'
All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan launches Mitey for Waikato youth
Mental health becomes an 'ordinary but important' subject at school.
Morgan-Andrew King: From Waikato to international opera stage
Opera singer says his passion actually began 'as a way to meet girls'.
Burglars throw stolen goods from car during police pursuit
Impact on commercial burglary victims is not just financial says senior police officer.
'The apocalypse is happening now' - residents powerless as ocean comes knocking
With the ocean just metres from their fences, residents fear losing everything.
Business park developers must create new sanctuaries for bats
Some bats will have to be moved to new sanctuaries when the business park is built.
Swallowed by the sea: Warning as cliffs under popular beach carpark collapse
Several metres of coastline and carpark has been lost to erosion this week.
Taupō CBD open for business again after contractor hits gas pipe
Cordons were in place in an 800-metre radius from the affected area.
Neighbours fed up with piles of illegal rubbish dumped in their street
Peachgrove Rd has become a popular dumping ground.
More than 7000 properties without power in Tokoroa
The unplanned outage at 9.21am was caused by lines coming down on Baird Road.
Five people injured after car and truck crash
Emergency services were alerted to the crash about 12.10pm.
Multiple explosions heard as vehicles burn in possible arson attack
Three vehicles set alight on waterfront.
Young couple with baby escape blaze but lose everything they own
Baby bracelets and baby books, 'they’re just all gone'.
Person and pet budgie rescued from Hamilton motel fire
Fire and Emergency crews were alerted to the fire at 7.52am.
Pro-Palestine protest disrupts opening of migrant Settlement Centre
The Settlement Centre Waikato postpones its opening events due to a pro-Palestine protest.
Hamilton on track for 520 new state homes this year, hundreds more planned
Of Waikato's 582 new social homes being built this year, 520 of them are in Hamilton City.
Road rage crash: Innocent motorist killed was much-loved family man
Jonathan 'Jono' Baker, 49, was a much-loved husband, father and stepdad.
Homes urgently needed for pets in wake of storms
Gisborne, Napier and Hastings SPCA Centres have run out of space for displaced pets.
Tūrangi puts on spectacular light show with just one drone
Who needs hundreds of drones for a light show? Tūrangi display shows you only need one.
Full steam ahead for Geothermal Week
The event theme highlights the “Immense value of our taonga, our geothermal resources.”
Person in serious condition after being struck by moving car
One person is in serious condition after being struck by a moving vehicle.
Building fire ‘not suspicious’
The cause of the fire was undetermined but "likely to have been electrical".
One person in serious condition after two-vehicle crash involving tractor on SH3
'We treated and transported one patient to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.'
Billion-dollar boss set to leave Tainui Group Holdings
"The time is right for the business, for me, and for my family after 15 years at TGH."
Tips for first-time Fieldays visitors
Opinion: Fieldays is a huge agricultural and technology-based world.
Rescuer runs into Lake Taupō to save driver, then performs CPR
An arborist trained in CPR says he and others went into 'reactive mode' to save the man.
'Great reluctance': Ambulance officer receives KSM, 'embarrassed' to be honoured
Although the KSM honour is positive, Lake said he accepted it with great reluctance.