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.
![Five people injured after car and truck crash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Great reluctance': Ambulance officer receives KSM, 'embarrassed' to be honoured
Although the KSM honour is positive, Lake said he accepted it with great reluctance.
![Cambridge community stalwart dies two weeks before receiving King's Birthday Honour](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Cambridge community stalwart dies two weeks before receiving King's Birthday Honour
'It's a hole now for us without such a strong [voice] in the community.'
![Disc golf sets its sights on a new town](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Disc golf sets its sights on a new town
"Golf is fun but not everyone can afford a $500 membership to play."
![Abandoned puppy chasing fur-ever home after losing brother](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Abandoned puppy chasing fur-ever home after losing brother
Chase was found underweight and infested with worms, but has made a full recovery.
![Funding to help eradicate remaining predators of native species](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Funding to help eradicate remaining predators of native species
Pokaiwhenua Catchment Group helps households to trap pests in their backyards.
![Drive to get horses microchipped in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Drive to get horses microchipped in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle
Disappearance and death of horses during the storm highlighted the need for microchips.
![Amazing community space grows people and plants](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Amazing community space grows people and plants
It's a melting pot of DIY and survival skills, music and a bit of gardening.
![Kiwi completes incredible run across NZ and Australia](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Kiwi completes incredible run across NZ and Australia
Curly Jacobs says he soon learned to leave the Aussie wildlife alone.
![Top drop: Matamata-Piako District Council a finalist for best-tasting tap water](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Top drop: Matamata-Piako District Council a finalist for best-tasting tap water
The council is one of four finalists in the National Water Taste Test competition.
!['Distressing' reports of dogs discarded from moving vehicles](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Distressing' reports of dogs discarded from moving vehicles
SPCA says without enough information it's hard to bring people to account.
![Improvised dish a showstopper at special Waikato master chef contest](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Improvised dish a showstopper at special Waikato master chef contest
The Waikato Indian Cultural Society was blown away by Darshana Patel's creation.
![Million-dollar donor's long wait for sports centre almost over](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Million-dollar donor's long wait for sports centre almost over
Philanthropist says he will be more excited once a construction contract has been signed.
![11 puppies found dumped on roadside in Waikato](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
11 puppies found dumped on roadside in Waikato
The puppies add to almost 300 animals already in SPCA care in Hamilton.
![Health shuttle fills up after word gets around](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Health shuttle fills up after word gets around
Maori and Pacific people live seven years fewer than those of European heritage.
![Hamilton-based Muslims celebrate end of Ramadan](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Hamilton-based Muslims celebrate end of Ramadan
Ramadan has just ended, but what is this holiday about?
![Matamata Country Lodge celebrates full circle moment](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Matamata Country Lodge celebrates full circle moment
The aged care facility, first opened as a maternity hospital, just turned 100 years old.
![Volunteers plant 10,000 daffodils in a Hamilton park](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Volunteers plant 10,000 daffodils in a Hamilton park
Te Awamutu is next in line for a dose of daffodils.
![From rat-infested tip to a thing of beauty: The story of Hamilton Gardens](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
From rat-infested tip to a thing of beauty: The story of Hamilton Gardens
Peter Sergel tells the history of the world-renowned attraction.
![Hamilton Zoo tiger cub names reflect connection to Sumatra](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Hamilton Zoo tiger cub names reflect connection to Sumatra
The names of the tiger cubs reflect a connection to wild Sumatra counterparts.
![Watch: Balloons over Waikato celebrates glorious festival start](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Watch: Balloons over Waikato celebrates glorious festival start
Despite the early start, Hamilton Lake and Innes Common were packed this morning.
![Revealed: Mystery Hamilton Zoo creature 'a new species to NZ'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Revealed: Mystery Hamilton Zoo creature 'a new species to NZ'
Hamilton caracal the first of its species in New Zealand since 2022.
![Tiny bat rescued from a goldfish pond, ready to return to the wild after rehab](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Tiny bat rescued from a goldfish pond, ready to return to the wild after rehab
The native bat is being released back into the wild on March 12.
![Homicide investigation launched, area cordoned off after man found dead on Raglan road](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Homicide investigation launched, area cordoned off after man found dead on Raglan road
Area searches where the man was found are under way.
![Animal welfare in the spotlight at special conference](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Animal welfare in the spotlight at special conference
The conference will focus on issues that are affecting pet owners worldwide.
![More than 60 local artists add their flair to Waipa Creative Trail](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
More than 60 local artists add their flair to Waipa Creative Trail
The five exhibitions will showcase artwork from more than 60 local artists.
![Volunteer fireman rescues wife twice in two years](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Volunteer fireman rescues wife twice in two years
Working for Fire and Emergency has had some life-saving benefits for this couple.
![Staff protest looming cuts to University of Waikato Library](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Staff protest looming cuts to University of Waikato Library
People gathered at the University for a protest against proposed cost cuts.
![Festival to celebrate 24th anniversary and 60 years of classic Ford Mustang](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Festival to celebrate 24th anniversary and 60 years of classic Ford Mustang
This year celebrates 60 years of the Ford Mustang.
![Mum pleads for understanding over adult son's screaming bouts](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Mum pleads for understanding over adult son's screaming bouts
“Pachygyria patients ... may have difficulty controlling some behaviours."
![Fatal police shooting: Sirens, gunshots shock ‘tight-knit’ community](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fatal police shooting: Sirens, gunshots shock ‘tight-knit’ community
Police said an armed man entered a stranger’s home.
![People advised to protect themselves from the flu following deadly outbreak](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
People advised to protect themselves from the flu following deadly outbreak
People reminded about seriousness of common flu outbreaks.
![Police fatally shoot man threatening parent and child](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Police fatally shoot man threatening parent and child
Police say the male driver fled during a vehicle stop in Hamilton.
![One person with serious injuries after three-vehicle crash near Matamata](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
One person with serious injuries after three-vehicle crash near Matamata
One person has sustained serious injuries in a three-vehicle crash.
![Apathy plagues turn-out for Hamilton East by-election](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Apathy plagues turn-out for Hamilton East by-election
Time is running out to vote in the Hamilton East by-election.
![Six dead as influenza outbreak strikes NZ aged care facility](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Six dead as influenza outbreak strikes NZ aged care facility
Six people died in the space of 12 days as a result of the outbreak.
![Getting from A to B in 2054: The future shape of Waikato transport](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Getting from A to B in 2054: The future shape of Waikato transport
Waikato is expected to grow its population from 500,000 in 2018, to 615,000 in 2048.
![Smart use of power is helping ease cost of living pressures](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Smart use of power is helping ease cost of living pressures
The aim of the Healthy Homes Program is to reduce power use by 30 to 40 per cent.
![SPCA offers half-price pets as adoption rates drop](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
SPCA offers half-price pets as adoption rates drop
Pet adoption rates have dropped, putting pressure on the SPCA.
![Thunderbolts and lightning prompt a fitting end to Waikato's Summer Concert Series](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Thunderbolts and lightning prompt a fitting end to Waikato's Summer Concert Series
Sizzling music on a soggy weekend makes for a steamy Summer Concert Series.
![Dad's growling stomach gets in the way of tiger cub gender reveal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Dad's growling stomach gets in the way of tiger cub gender reveal
The gender of two Sumatran tiger cubs born at Hamilton Zoo have been revealed.
![Minister talks up four-lane highway from Waikato to BOP](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Minister talks up four-lane highway from Waikato to BOP
Construction kicked off today on the $43.5 million dollar Piarere roundabout.
![Waikato foodbanks 'desperate' for donations](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Waikato foodbanks 'desperate' for donations
Vinnies Hamilton is deciding if they should limit food parcels to six per family per year.
![Cultural advisor had to choose an English name in her own school years](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Cultural advisor had to choose an English name in her own school years
Te Ao Marama Maaka remembers the day her Māori identity was taken from her.
![Businesswoman dedicates career to normalising Māori culture](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Businesswoman dedicates career to normalising Māori culture
Simpson's goal is to improve outcomes for Māori, for current and future generations.
![Clam spread in the spotlight as thousands descend on Lake Karāpiro](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Clam spread in the spotlight as thousands descend on Lake Karāpiro
Waka ama paddlers and gold clams go head-to-head.
![Thousands arrive for big week of waka ama](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Thousands arrive for big week of waka ama
Thousands of paddlers descend on Lake Karāpiro for waka ama contests.
![SPCA feeling the squeeze with peak kitten season still to come](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
SPCA feeling the squeeze with peak kitten season still to come
Kitten season is triggered by warmer summer months when cats are seeking to mate.
![Causes of Hamilton industrial building fires revealed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Causes of Hamilton industrial building fires revealed
Two large fires in Te Rapa, Hamilton, happened within four days of each other.
![Another large Hamilton building goes up in flames](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Another large Hamilton building goes up in flames
Nine fire trucks were used to fight the blaze in Te Rapa including one ladder truck.
![Food forest fiends spoil free fruit initiative](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Food forest fiends spoil free fruit initiative
Unappetising behaviour has spoiled fruit bound for the community.
![State houses built in China, delivered to Hamilton](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
State houses built in China, delivered to Hamilton
Kāinga Ora is accelerating its public housing programme.
![Police seek vehicle of interest in street race stabbing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Police seek vehicle of interest in street race stabbing
Police are looking for a white BMW sedan they believe was involved in the incident.
![Impressive new Hamilton library now complete](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Impressive new Hamilton library now complete
Matariki next year will see the unveiling of a pou at Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library.
![Counterfeit cash being used across the Waikato](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Counterfeit cash being used across the Waikato
Seven locations in the Waikato have received counterfeit notes in the last two months.
![Residents feel unsafe after Hamilton home invasion](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Residents feel unsafe after Hamilton home invasion
Residents of a Hamilton street feel unsafe after latest alleged home invasion.
![Brothers offer thief spare parts for stolen waterblaster](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Brothers offer thief spare parts for stolen waterblaster
Theft victims say they genuinely harbour no ill-will towards the thief.
![Top female building apprentice urges others to give it a go](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Top female building apprentice urges others to give it a go
Jess Nielsen has reached new heights as a female apprentice.
![Secrets of long-lasting fashion come out of the closet](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Secrets of long-lasting fashion come out of the closet
Researchers want to understand what it will take for people to keep clothes longer.
![Thousands expected for Diwali celebration](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Thousands expected for Diwali celebration
For the first time the Diwali mela will be held at Innes Common, Hamilton Lake.
!['That's not a bonfire': One person in serious condition after house fire](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'That's not a bonfire': One person in serious condition after house fire
A neighbour was outside cleaning when she heard a 'loud bang'.
![Sports ace turns artist after serious road accident](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Sports ace turns artist after serious road accident
Sam Livingstone discovered a new passion after an accident left him a quadriplegic.
![Watch: Site blessing, waiata mark start of Founders demolition](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Watch: Site blessing, waiata mark start of Founders demolition
Mana whenua blessed the site today with no protesters in attendance.