Melissa Nightingale is a Senior Reporter for the Herald, based in the Wellington region.
Melissa began working for NZME in 2013 as a journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle, after completing a Diploma in Journalism and a Bachelor of Communications degree at the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec). Melissa started on the crime, emergency and health rounds and now specialises in court reporting in her role in the capital - though continues to cover all things Wellington and beyond. She is also the host of the NZ Herald podcast The Fifty Year Secret, which uncovered shocking new evidence in one of New Zealand's oldest cold case murders. Melissa is always on the lookout for great news tips and welcomes the occasional cute animal story to break up the flood of crime. She can be emailed at melissa.nightingale@nzme.co.nz or messaged on X (formerly Twitter) @mel_nightingale.
Aussie diplomat’s partner pleads guilty to Wellington assault
The man will apply for a discharge without conviction.
‘Could have been tragic’: Fleeing driver jailed for hitting cop
The officer was sent cartwheeling through the air after the defendant drove at him.
NZ’s second-most powerful cop suspended amid criminal investigation
Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming was suspended before Christmas.
Escaped prisoner recently upgraded to max security outran three security guards
Prisoner escaped after kicking open a van door and knocking an officer over.
Best things to see and do from Adelaide to the Outback - and back again
There's no better feeling than the freedom of an Australian roadie.
Cops seize $60m of ‘tainted’ property allegedly linked to criminals
A look at some of the properties targeted by police - and why they made the move.
Man trapped in farm machinery, airlifted to hospital with serious injuries
The man was quickly freed by paramedics and firefighters this morning.
White-tailed spider bite leaves man in hospital for a month with deadly infection
Andy Stewart pushed on with his motorbike trek despite his growing pain.
‘Suck it up’ attitude may contribute to low ACC birth injury claims
The number of ACC claims lodged is much lower than expected.
The confession that provided new hope in a 50-year-old cold case
A Herald investigation in 2019 uncovered fresh evidence in a 50-year-old unsolved murder.
Rescued teen describes injuries after ordeal in the bush
Maia Johnston survived through 'sheer determination to live'.
‘Had to survive’: Rescued teen posts for first time after waterfall ordeal
Maia Johnston survived through 'sheer determination to live'.
Missing teen suffered fall at waterfall, faces weeks in hospital
The 19-year-old was in the first of many surgeries, her mum said.
'She is alive and that's all that matters': 19yo plucked from bush with broken bones after huge search
The 19-year-old was found in a remote area in the hills of Upper Hutt.
Watch: Mum’s heartbroken message to missing teen as search continues
The 19-year-old disappeared without her wallet or mobile phone.
Search base to be set up as ‘massive’ hunt for missing teen continues
The 19-year-old disappeared without her wallet or mobile phone.
'Please come home': Police release new CCTV image of teen missing more than 24 hours
The 19-year-old disappeared without her wallet or mobile phone.
'Please come home': Desperate mum says up to 100 people searching for missing teen
The 19-year-old disappeared without her wallet or mobile phone.
Expert horrified after shark disembowelled on Auckland beach, pups ripped from womb
The shark had washed up dead on the shore earlier this week.
Desperate family search all night in pouring rain after teen disappears on holiday
Maia was last seen at 8pm when she left the house to go for a walk in an unfamiliar area.
‘Not the best Christmas’: Showers loom for holidaymakers
Boxing Day might also get quite wet for bargain hunters.
Man charged with kidnapping baby after armed standoff with police
Police described it as a family harm incident.
Community fights ‘horrible’ plan to house 10 child sex offenders near primary school
Corrections said their staff worked hard to assess the suitability of an address.
'I was submitting': Man who choked BDSM partner unconscious in shower sentenced but can't be named
The man's name suppression will be argued at a hearing next year.
Bomb threat to daycare, sporting campus over, police find no 'items of note'
Police have now left the scene.
'Beautiful, caring little boy': Funeral set for 'beloved' Miles after park drowning
The 5-year-old died on Saturday night at Lower Hutt's Avalon Park.
'Character from a horror movie': Man's horrific assault injuries described in court
The victims were enjoying Christmas drinks with workmates before the unprovoked attack.
'Mountain' of Christmas gifts for decile one school after kids expected to miss out
The school was hundreds of gifts short after a technical glitch.
'CCTV crucial': Police call for evidence after gang murder
Warnings issued for traffic disruption around Wellington during the funeral procession.
Boy playing near pond shortly before tragic death - witness
The witness said council should change the depth of the pond to make it safer.
'Armed and dangerous': Suspect wanted in slaying of ex-gang boss
Anyone harbouring or protecting Wipuhara Kapene could be prosecuted.
Wellington property valuations ‘out of whack’ and need to change, agent says
One real estate boss described RVs as a 'revenue grab'.
Police seek CCTV of fatal Lower Hutt shooting as hunt for large tattooed man continues
Police say they are hunting for a large, heavily tattooed man accused of the shooting.
Fatal Lower Hutt shooting victim was former gang president
The parties involved all knew each other, the police say.
Aussie diplomat's partner may not be allowed diversion for assault charge
Something had 'upset the apple cart' with police considering withdrawing the offer.
'Get help': Brave teen faces rapist in court, pleads for him not to harm anyone else
The girl has battled daily suicidal thoughts since the rape two years ago.
Coroner visits spot woman's skeleton lay for 36 years, rules on death
Coroner Mark Wilton can understand why the family still had questions.
Volunteer firefighters accused of driving offences, clipping a pedestrian
The incidents are being investigated and firefighters may face disciplinary action.
Prisoners denied family visits for year and a half due to understaffing
The report found Rimutaka Prison was run with about 80% of desired staffing numbers.
Rescued diver thanks friends for recognising signs of decompression sickness
The diver was rushed to Christchurch where the nearest hyperbaric chamber is.
Million-dollar burnt home had nobody living in it, police confirm
The house was recently sold for $1.1 million.
‘Utterly changed her life’: Man who set partner on fire cooking cannabis oil is jailed
The victim spent three months in hospital with severe injuries.
Kiwi tourist in suspected mass poisoning returns home
The Kiwi tourist was believed to have been poisoned by methanol.
Mass poisoning: Kiwi shares own close call with poisoned alcohol
Sacha Harwood believes she's lucky to be alive after a previous potential poisoning.
Visiting the Outback alone? You should consider a group tour
When there's nothing as far as the eye can see, you may appreciate the company.
No conviction for hacking victim after AI-generated child exploitation images found on his computer
The man had not sought out the images, but did not delete them either.
Watch: 35,000? 55,000? Data scientist uses drone to estimate hīkoi crowd
Caleb Moses has crunched the numbers to estimate how many people marched in the hīkoi.
Corrupt prison guard who took bribe to smuggle tobacco gets name suppression for own safety
Details of the danger the guard faces remain shrouded in secrecy.
Wrecked cafe reopens after front-end loader ram raid
The community turned out in force to help clean up the damage.
Person shot in hunting accident north of Whanganui
Police say inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.
Tears in court as woman avoids jail for stealing $300k from boss
The judge said Sally Robertson began gambling due to the 'severe strain' she was under.
Gloriavale's banned children's books: fairy tales, literary classics on the list
Duncan Webb said the danger was that people would view Gloriavale as "quaint and silly".
'Who can say no to KFC?' Missing cat lured back after vet and cattery fire
It was 'heartbreaking' telling the family's 2-year-old Beans was missing.
Man not guilty of encouraging child to kill himself, raping boy's mother
The defence case was that the allegations were simply not true, his lawyer said.
Love messages to alleged rapist partner to 'keep the peace' complainant says
The man has name suppression to protect the complainants' identities.
'I can help you': Man allegedly told child to kill himself after pushing boy's mother
The man is also accused of sexually abusing the woman, sometimes in front of the kids.
Police apologise for one of NZ's worst miscarriages of justice
Family battled for 37 years to clear his name after he was convicted.
Man told boss he needed to WFH to homeschool his kid. He was actually on home detention for fraud
Andrew Ross said he did not recall the extensive offending.
Killer driver caught making 'vile, racist' remarks about hit-and-run victim on prison phone
The victim's husband described his "helplessness" as his wife died in front of him.
Forklift driver killed in Port Nelson accident was 'one of a kind' speedway member
Ian Musgrove was farewelled by his community on October 8.
Risk of thunderstorms, hail for parts of NZ tomorrow
Students may have a wet start to the first day of term.
Man found bloodied on doorstep after street stabbing now accused of lying to police
Abbas Munshi is charged with "fabricating circumstances" around the stabbing.
'Fatal force': Daughter accused of murdering mother now named
Julia DeLuney accused of a "brutal and financially-motivated" murder.
Life support turned off: Grieving mother of Wellington assault victim says he was hit from behind
'He took my life', says the grieving mother of a young man killed in Wellington.
Courtenay Place death: Young people 'playing roulette' going out in Wellington
The mum of another young man has spoken out following the death of Luke Smith.
'Unthinkable tragedy': Man was enjoying night of dancing before fatal assault
Givealittle page set up to help family after 'bright light taken far too soon'.
Young man dies after Wellington assault, victim named
A 29yo is accused of critically assaulting a man in Wellington CBD's nightlife area.
'Very sorry:' Father's tearful apology for son's terrifying assault on teen girl
Jarimar Schuster sent to prison for five years for Wellington sexual assault.
Beloved rugby player killed in Auckland crash, second death for club in days
Franck Friconnet was on his way to help move cows on his parents' farm when he died.
Man's body found after drifting boat reported in Marlborough
The man's body was found in the water a short time after first responders arrived.
'Shock and panic’ on board Air NZ flight that aborted landing
The passenger said there was a big jolt as the plane touched the runway.
Missing records hinder investigation into treatment of patient at aged care facility
Ultimate Care was scrutinised after lost records affected a patient's care review.
Police focused on 'lead-up' to baby's death
Police are investigating with the family's full co-operation.
Woman gets home detention for killing partner after years of mutual violence
The victim's daughter told Donna Henry she forgave her because her dad would want her to.
'Beware': Sinister warning at torched property linked to Breanna Muriwai mystery
‘Suspicious fire’ at property connected to unsolved case.
Taxi drivers suspended from Wellington Airport after using parents' room to heat meals
The airport warned drivers not to use the parents' room for privacy and hygiene reasons.
Dignity and reputation: Police defend heavy redactions in Kiri Allan file
Police say the redactions are in line with Ombudsman guidelines for privacy.
'Suspicious fire' at house linked to vigilante search for missing woman's remains
Emergency services attended a suspicious blaze at the property.
'Where's my baby?': Woman who had miscarriage in ED toilet never got to meet her son
Kiwi mums share their stories of how the current system only made things worse.
Police file reveals new details from Kiri Allan’s career-ending crash
Photos, statements and notebook entries have been released under the OIA.