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.
Legal limbo: 14yo boy barred from school during custody battle
The boy's mother has asked the court three times to let her son go to school.
Death threats and false claims: Mayor's legal battle with ex-councillor revealed
The case has been shrouded in secrecy until today.
Mum of harassed schoolgirl calls for bus passengers to step in
The mum said all her female friends would have similar stories of harassment in public.
Drink driver's wife spent three months in hospital after 'devastating' crash
Everton Augustine's passengers suffered multiple severe injuries in the crash.
Cryptosporidiosis outbreak: Second swimming pool drained after ill person attends lesson
A symptomatic person attended a swimming lesson last weekend.
‘You’ve got to get out’: Lawyer describes court evacuation after bomb threat
Police would only refer to the incident as 'threats'.
School bans energy drinks after spike in sick bay visits
Students were feeling sick after skipping breakfast and "guzzling" energy drinks instead.
Cryptosporidiosis outbreak numbers soar beyond yearly average
The region has had more cases recently than it normally has in a year.
Courthouses reopened following alleged bomb threats
The first court was evacuated about 10.45am.
‘It all went wrong’: Fire chief describes rescuing neighbours from car in flooded river
The couple had gone out for supplies when "it all went wrong for them".
Nearly 70 Auckland beaches unsafe for swimming after atmospheric river
Around 60 beaches have red flags; seven are black-flagged for severe risk.
‘Nearly called an ambulance’: Mum describes horror symptoms amid crypto outbreak
The Lower Hutt woman said her husband looked like he was having a seizure.
Death of ‘true gentleman’ in Wellington treated as unexplained
Tributes for Simon Bird flooded social media on Wednesday night.
Police not looking for anyone else after discovery of two bodies in Wellington
Police found two people dead in the Roseneath home after a welfare check.
Injured man appears in court after allegedly ramming police with child in car
Five police staff were injured in the Lower Hutt incident.
Wellington deaths: Neighbour says British boarders were ‘super lovely people’
Police found two people dead in the Roseneath home after a welfare check.
Ombudsman changes mind, asks KiwiRail to release ‘excessive’ consultant spend
It's a complete turnaround from the Ombudsman's decision two months ago.
Uber driver killed in motorway crash with passenger onboard
The crash happened during what the union called the 'dangerous hours' for drivers.
Alleged Miramar home intruder to keep name secret for now
The man is accused of burgling a home while armed with a knife.
‘Heaven got a really great one’: Young man killed in jetboat accident named
The young shearer's loved ones have been left reeling by his sudden death.
‘I’ll be waiting for you': Family of shooting victim threaten murder accused in court
Two relatives began yelling at the defendant, with one trying to push towards the dock.
Legal expert says name suppression change won’t fix issue ‘exploited’ by some
Huge delays when defendants choose to appeal suppression decisions are hurting victims.
‘Helpless’ mum told toddler must continue visits with dad after sex abuse claim
The child has twice claimed her father has touched her inappropriately on the visits.
Sociopath teen rapist named in rare suppression lift
The teen would normally have kept suppression but his case was sent to the adult court.
Rugby club loses licence after patron’s drunk driving kills young mum
Cass Maguire's father said the club and others were responsible for his daughter's death.
Govt ignored advice on giving sex offence victims ‘veto’ on name suppression
Documents show multiple groups opposed the changes, raising 'strong concerns'.
Man who raped woman beside her sleeping child appeals sentence on ‘character’ grounds
Gabriel Apolonio's lawyer said he deserved a shorter jail term due to 'good character'.
‘Deeply disappointed’: Tory Whanau cancels regular slot on Newstalk ZB
The mayor's team said they were trying to "diversify our media engagements".
‘He killed us too’: Heartbroken parents face son’s attacker in court
Seeing Smith 'broken' in the hospital was 'the most horrifying moment of our lives'.
Woman killed in horror Martinborough bike crash named
Alison Korny lived in New Zealand before moving to the UK.
Rugby player with ‘bright future’ avoids conviction after man choked unconscious, fractures skull
The victim spent months off work after suffering a brain bleed.
'I am alive’: Teen rescued after waterfall disaster shares recovery from horror injuries
Maia Johnston has listed her horror injuries in an update video.
UK visitor dead, three badly injured after car crashes into shared bike in Martinborough
The owner of the quadricycle told the Herald he was beside himself.
Manhunt continues for armed offender who pointed gun at cops, public
Police said he pointed a gun at a member of the public after pointing it at police.
Kmart mop causes horror injury to Kiwi woman
Staff lost the mop but still found there were no issues with safety, she claimed.
‘Life and death': Cost of living preventing Kiwis from accessing crucial medical tool
Kate McCombs remembers urgently tapping her MedicAlert bracelet, trying to get help.
Five people arrested following firearm threat at Wellington property
AOS was called out and the street was blocked off as a precaution.
‘I just want to come home’: Woman, 83, distraught by transfer delays after major surgery
Marsha Cashmore waited for days without her family to be sent home to Hawke's Bay.
Emergency services contained a large scrub fire north of Wellington
The blaze was 480sq m at 2.30pm, Fire and Emergency said.
‘She was gone instantly’: Birthday balloon tragedy prompts warning from family
'Just don’t do it' - family's helium warning after mum of two's death at daughter's party.
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.