Mike Thorpe is a senior multimedia journalist for the Herald, based in Christchurch.
Mike has been a broadcast journalist across television and radio for 20 years and joined the Herald in August 2024. You can contact Mike at mike.thorpe@nzme.co.nz.
‘The signing of the year’: Reinvention of James O’Connor
James O'Connor has much to offer the Crusaders - both on the field and off it.
‘Dog fight’: How NRL schoolboy ban can help NZ rugby keep young stars
The race to sign young talent takes a twist. Mike Thorpe reports.
All Blacks hooker the latest Crusader sidelined for 2025
The Crusaders' injury list takes another turn for the worse.
Christchurch teenage couple buy their first house - aged 19
The youngsters have saved their way onto the property ladder.
‘Look up and play’: New freedom for Crusaders could win fans – and games
New attack coach keen to unleash his strike weapons as season opener nears.
What does $56k-a-year get you? Inside NZ’s most expensive private school
Mike Thorpe gets a tour of Christ's College ahead of 175th anniversary events.
‘I hate to see old pubs closed down’: The publican with the golden touch
Nick Inkster saves old buildings and turns struggling pubs around.
Crusaders v Blues: How a tiny country town embraced rugby’s biggest stars
A capacity crowd watched the hometown Crusaders go down to the Blues in Kirwee.
New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian calls time on career
Eleven-time gold medallist, Dame Sophie Pascoe reveals she won't swim competitively again.
Child, parent ‘grabbed’ outside Christchurch early learning centre
Man to appear in court accused of grabbing a child and parent.
‘Couldn’t see how nobody had been killed’: Holidaymakers shaken after tree hits campervan
Large tree fell during wild storm last night.
Tiny town’s biggest sporting day in 120 years as it hosts Super Rugby’s greatest rivalry
Tiny Canterbury town of Kirwee counts down to kickoff between the Crusaders and Blues.
Review: Cold Chisel scorch at ‘Boomerpalooza’
Ageless pub rockers show they've still got it.
‘They let off a big roar!’ Crusaders confirm new captain
David Havili will captain the Crusaders in 2025, replacing Scott Barrett.
Confirmed - David Havili to lead Crusaders in 2025
The Crusaders will break with tradition this season, naming a back as captain.
Revealed: Crusaders to announce new captain
Scott Barrett's replacement will be announced on Wednesday.
‘Good money, no questions asked’: A rock star’s 45-year quest for a ‘priceless’ guitar
Iva Davies is prepared to pay 'proper money' for the return of his prized Gibson guitar.
‘Let’s go and see a band’: The lost art of pub rock
50 years of pub rock and the icons keeping it alive.
‘I’m coming over': Mum’s horror as Kmart walkie-talkies invaded by creepy sex chat
Mother-of-two locks doors and calls cops after hearing sexual messages from toy.
The Kiwi BBQ revolution, we're out of gas – but the fire desire is still strong
American-style barbecue is rapidly gaining popularity in New Zealand, but why?
Pet food magnate speaks on luring V8 Supercars to the South Island
If approved, 2026 will see two Supercars events in NZ for the first time.
South Island sport's winners (and losers) for 2024
Olympic champ Ellesse Andrews and the St Thomas of Canterbury College First XIII feature.
Anatomy of a season: Following in the footsteps of Razor
Crusaders coach Rob Penney on a failed first campaign – and why 2025 will be different.
Is the Basin Reserve still the home of NZ cricket?
Mike Thorpe examines its major contender.
Former Crusader involved in fatal charity boxing bout addresses widow in inquest
The inquest into the 2018 charity boxing death of Kain Parsons has begun in Christchurch.
'I was hoping he’d get up': Trainer speaks at inquest into charity boxer's death
Early into fight, it was clear Kain Parsons' opponent had more power, inquest hears.
'I asked him not to participate': Inquest into shock charity boxing death
Kain Parsons died after injuries sustained in the ring in 2018.
'What have I done to deserve this?' Richlister opens up on being born into money
Tracy Gough was born into money - and made a lot more. And he says you can too.
Best of Premium Sport: North v South - NZ's top sporting schools revealed
Which island holds the balance of power in secondary school sports? Mike Thorpe reports.
The runner, the cancer, and the big, warm house that love built
Serial survivor Josh Komen on the big, warm house that saved his life.
The grounds, people, beer: Barmy Army warms up for England v NZ test series
England supporters out to enjoy the grounds, the people, the beer.
What about the horses? Racing organisers jockey for the punters' dollar
South Island sports wrap: Cup Week, 2000 play Pasifika league-fest, a cricketing dynasty.
McSpicy! Battle royale over plans for town's first McDonald's
The plan to bring McDonald's to Wānaka could be decided soon.
Ground zero: High-flying Black Caps prepare for England and Bazball
Hagley Oval has a new head groundsman ahead of the first test of the summer.
Trainer's dream comes true with New Zealand Cup start
Greg Manson has been thinking about a New Zealand Cup start since he was a boy.
Fears NZ could become 'global guinea pig' if new GE reforms pass
Critics of proposed GE reforms say it threatens NZ's agriculture industry.
Young guns: The Black Caps' next generation of stars
The next wave of talent is ready to stake a claim for a Black Cap.
The accidental Kiwi gardener and the rare flower that blooms once in a lifetime
Planted 40 years ago by a young gardener, a rare flower has finally bloomed.
'The firm’: NZ’s last great department store and its 170 years of retail success
How has New Zealand's oldest department store outlasted its competitors? One word: family.
First King’s Colours since before World War II presented to New Zealand Defence Force
900 hours of embroidery in new NZDF ensign.
'Heroes up close': Lessons the All Blacks could learn from the Kiwis
International rugby league hit Christchurch and left nobody disappointed.
James Fisher-Harris – the Kiwis enforcer and leader
An insight into the New Zealand rugby league leader they call 'Fish'.
'The barbecue savant': Inside the world of New Zealand's competitive BBQ circuit
Competitive BBQ is surging in popularity in NZ - and we already have a world champ.
The greatest innings nobody saw? World record made in front of tiny crowd, YouTube stream
Bowes breaks the record for the fastest double century in limited overs history.
Strong southern Kiwis contingent fly home to hunt Kangaroos in Christchurch
The return of the South Island Kiwi and the historic departure of rugby's silverware.
North v South: NZ's best sporting schools revealed
Which island holds the balance of power in secondary school sports? Mike Thorpe reports.
Howick College crowned national champs in thrilling final
It will be remembered as one of the most dramatic finishes the national champs has seen.
'Our next Silver Ferns': Netball's elite and their superstar coaches
Former Silver Ferns are coaching the next generation at the National School Champs.
Elite high school’s new $16m gym — and the old boy who backed it
Is this New Zealand's best school gym? The newest facility in our oldest private school.
'I want to be F1 world champion': Meet the Kiwi teen tipped as the next Liam Lawson
A teen driver is set on F1, top school ballers battle it out, Light Bears go flat.
Meet New Zealand's greatest (ever?) amateur men's rugby team
South Canterbury's record run, the Light Bears' big dance and Canterbury's league revival.
Rise of the little men: The growth of under-85kg rugby
A new version of our national game is opening up chances for players otherwise too small.
Sideline abuse driving rugby refs away – what should be done?
Mike Thorpe reports on the damage that top-level rugby is doing to its grassroots.
'He reminds me so much of me': The NZ sports star who is coaching his son
'We have our moments,' says the father-coach of a rising young star.
The next Wahs generation: NRL scouts swarm NZ high schools competition
After years of ignoring South Island talent, the Warriors are looking south for new stars.
RSA expels former president for medal cheating
Bruce Blackburn has one month to consider an appeal after Rolleston RSA decision.
South Island Sports Wrap: NZ's greatest rugby streak under threat
Discover the heroes and haircuts of school winter tournaments.
'Stolen valour': Former RSA president accused of wearing medals he didn’t earn
The former president was photographed at official events wearing medals he had not earned.
Mum and dad film First XV final on iPhone, get 52,000 viewers
Mike Thorpe reports on the latest news from around the south.
Diamonds and death threats: The business of thrifting
The Herald meets a Christchurch couple who op-shop for profit.
First XV rugby: The battle for South Island supremacy
A preview of the South Island First XV final.
The polar explorer's medal, the mystery millionaire, and the museum
A rare Ernest Shackleton medal potentially worth millions lands at Canterbury Museum.
LIV Golf rumours, First XV semifinals; and weight-restricted rugby for grown-ups
Mike Thorpe reports on the latest from sport around the South Island.
LIV Golf coming to NZ? 'I want nothing to do with it', says Kiwi golfing legend
'They’ve been hugely disruptive to the game of golf.'
Mainland sports wrap: Ex-Warriors forward a premiership winner at 44; First XV showdowns
The best of what was and what's to come in Mainland sport.
'I don't believe in hoodoos': First XV grudge match between old Christchurch rivals returns
The Herald looks ahead to Saturday's crunch semifinal.