Natasha Gordon is a Live News Reporter for the Herald, based in Auckland.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

'Potentially criminal': Suspicious person posed as cyclone damage surveyor – Akl resident
The visitor claimed to be from Auckland Council but had no official ID.

Auckland back under severe thunderstorm watch; homes without power for four days
Vector says some power outages remain due to 'significant damage'.

'Vacuum of information': City leader demands answers after warnings issued hour into thunderstorms
Houses and streets were swamped by 110mm of rain that fell from midnight.

SH35 on East Cape partially closed as Cyclone Tam continues to lash NZ
A potential low-system is set to form on the northeast coast of New Zealand.

'Man with a giant heart': Speedway hero and beloved dad killed in 'freak' workplace accident
He played a key role in saving lives during many serious accidents.

Coromandel towns isolated by flooding, more heavy rain forecast as storm rages on
Roads have been submerged, roofs ripped from buildings and ferries and flights cancelled.

'Kindest person, biggest heart': Woman found dead in Waiuku vehicle identified
A man, 50, has been charged with assault after her death in Waiuku.

'No words': Boy with brain tumour offered dream Disneyland trip
Hone’s father said the garage sale exceeded the family's expectations with donations.

'Cheeky bugger': Family remembers young father tragically killed in house fire
Sister says Richard Parore's death will leave an 'irreplaceable' hole in their family.

'Snow likely': NZ braces for frosty start to school holidays as cold snap hits
Christchurch had its coldest night this year, reaching 0.7C.

'Absurd': Expert disputes 'impossible' theory after thousands of eels die
Mike Joy called claims about natural causes 'impossible'.

Apartment fire closes K Rd in central Auckland, smoke pouring from building
Fire crews responded to reports of smoke after 2pm today.

Is the winter cold blast here to stay? Snow dumps in parts of the country
Temperatures dropped to 2C in Wānaka and Queenstown overnight.

Police name man killed in Penrose train and vehicle collision
The train pushed the car, leaving it completely under the train.

Wellington man’s niece pays tribute to ‘loyal’ uncle amid homicide investigation
'Some days there are a lot of tears, other days we are just numb.'

'OMG, my baby': Family cat killed in ‘feral cat trap' in Auckland suburb
The SPCA is investigating after a cat was found in a restricted trap.

'Best in NZ': Award-winning hot cross buns recalled over glass contamination fears
The buns were sold at Farro Fresh in 250g boxes, best before April 10, 2025.

Students on sports trip in South Taranaki crash, 13 people injured
Hastings Rd is closed for a Serious Crash Unit examination.

'Our beautiful mum': Family pay tribute to woman hit and killed by car
A 25-year-old woman faces charges of excess breath alcohol causing death.

'One of us is going to f***ing die': Jetstar mid-air brawl erupts over seat argument
How a seat dispute led to chaos on a Jetstar flight to Bali.

Mother’s plea after disabled son beaten in street attack
The victim’s family is seeking witnesses to the daylight attack.

‘Thoughts and prayers’: Young child dead, another person injured in vicious dog attack
Animal management has taken the dogs involved for investigation.

‘Significant delays’: Grass fire breaks out beside Auckland’s Southern Motorway
Motorists are advised to pass the scene with extra care this afternoon.

Kayakers rescued after being blown offshore, local uses private helicopter in search
Police said a fourth member of the group, on a paddleboard, was also unaccounted for.

'So unprofessional': Angry Auckland festivalgoers demand refunds after organiser flop
Refund requests surge at Eden Fest after headliners withdraw and complaints mount.

'I love him even more': Twin responds to brother's surfing injury
“Everything we do now is about protecting Matt’s mana” while he undergoes treatment.

Defence lawyers on Polkinghorne acquittal: Coroner can make different finding
Roderick Mulgan said it is difficult to convict people on circumstantial evidence.

'Kick in the guts': Outrage after rubbish bin graveyard found on Auckland Council lot
The controversial cost-saving plan promised to save ratepayers millions.

'I’ve done nothing wrong': Kiwi's cafe deliberately ‘firebombed’ in Aussie attack
“I’ve done nothing wrong and all of a sudden it’s up in flames.”

Car stolen at gun point during private vehicle sale
One allegedly presented a firearm, forcing the victims to abandon their belongings.

‘Incredibly destructive’: Opposition 'up in arms' over Mayor Brown's new harbour bridge plan
'We agree on a lot but definitely not on this,' a North Shore councillor says.

Person has critical injuries after paraglider crash at Auckland's Muriwai Beach
Police are assisting other emergency services at the southern end of the beach.

Snow for Auckland? Model shows 'polar streamer', forecaster predicts cold surge
Weather pattern looks 'favourable' for snowfall, Niwa says.

Two Auckland Islamic schools in lockdown after suspicious threat, closed today
Students have been told to stay home today.

'They were lost': Councillor forced to drive lost emergency responders to stroke victim
The response "should have taken 10 minutes but it took an hour and a half.”

Building submerged after significant storm lashes Milford Sound
The dramatic photo only starts to show the extent of the damage.

'Chemo is working': Nigel Latta's positive update after 'incurable' cancer news, tributes flow
His social media announcement was flooded with heartfelt tributes.

'Go back to your country': Investigation into ref who allegedly made racist remarks to U13 footballers
Parents formulated a complaint with club officials and have lodged it with the NRF board.

Multi-vehicle crash on Auckland motorway causing significant delays
Police were called to the scene around 11.55am.

Transport Minister dispels 'weird rumours' he doesn't have driver's licence
Simeon Brown posts video of himself driving to 'clear up any confusion'.

'Beautiful soul': Family devastated after son dies in motorcycle accident on Indonesian holiday
Jacob Lenton was on his first overseas trip with mates when the tragedy happened.

Watch: Kids sports car park dispute - is it acceptable to reserve a public spot?
Multiple bystanders are pictured trying to reason with the woman.

Two buses crash in central Auckland, injuring five
Two buses were involved in the collision.

Good Samaritan left bloodied after 'terrifying' crowbar attack during vape shop raid
The injured man tried to confront armed robbers.

Is puffer jacket season over? Aussie air mass bringing first signs of spring
August temperatures have been well below average but hope is on the way.

Students no longer at school after assaulting man, forcing him to eat cat food
Video shows at least one student in Christchurch Boys' High School uniform.

Lifeguards aren't babysitters: Coroner's warning after pool tragedy
Pool staff had acted appropriately and Ranger’s death could have been prevented.

'Playing with fire': Act criticises council move to keep Māori seats without referendum
The Act Party has hit back, criticising the move as a 'race-based' decision.

Air NZ extremely sorry after grandmother injured by wheelchair no-show
'She arrived exhausted, in tears and pain from her injuries.'

'Unable to land': Landing gear fault on Air NZ Invercargill flight leaves it circling
A flight tracker showed the plane flying multiple loops offshore.

King Charles shares heartfelt Matariki message after dropping NZ trip
The King's open letter is written in te reo Māori and English.

World's biggest YouTuber served at popular NZ restaurant, believed to be filming here
The YouTuber dined out at the popular Auckland eatery before heading to Hamilton.

'Cynical': Passengers fume at Jetstar's ’low speed‘ claim after tarmac emergency
A counselling service has been set up for passengers on the affected flight.

Ferry sailing cancelled with huge ocean swells expected overnight
Milder Monday weather is on the cards for much of the country, with one area to hit 20C.

Strong winds, 8m waves and sub-zero temps - what to expect from this week’s weather
Temperatures a tipped to dip to -3C tomorrow. Find out where.

'Complete chaos': Hundreds of cars jam Wellington's south coast, where to see the aurora
Aucklanders have received a stroke of luck regarding glimpsing the aurora tonight.

Auckland hospitality workers forced to pay for new 24/7 parking fees in the CBD
These charges come after the Government’s removal of half-priced public transport.

Phone ban in schools begins - will it reduce cyberbullying?
Cellphone use will be banned in schools for students across the country.

'Little banking bubble': Scam victim slates Ombudsman ruling on full compo claim
The pair accused BNZ of missing crucial 'red flags' regarding a known scam.

Latam passengers in midair 'free fall' offered a burger but little support
A 68-year-old was left with broken ribs after the horrifying ordeal.

'Blood streaming down his face': Latam flight drop horror; what pilot told passengers
A passenger saw people flying through the air of the cabin when the plane dropped.

Police search for sports coach after 21-year-old colleague's body found at elite Sydney private school
investigators told local media the scene was “quite confronting” for the first responders.

Star-studded Matariki event marks NZ's historic new holiday
Matariki is about acknowledging the past, present and future.

Bottle shop with a twist to open in central Auckland
The Curious AF Bottle Shop is located on Ponsonby Rd and will open on Thursday.

Unwelcome visitor: Possum's wild night of house havoc after chimney entry
The unexpected visitor's 'gifts' were a lot less pleasing than Santa's annual arrival.

Eden Park sell-out for Super Rugby final a boon for local businesses
Hospitality businesses are eagerly anticipating the flood of rugby supporters.

Watch: 'This is where it gets a bit crazy' - Kiwis warned about sophisticated scam
NZ children's book author Malcolm Clarke has posted a viral video warning of the scam.