Neil Reid is a Hawke’s Bay-based senior reporter for the New Zealand Herald who has covered some of the country's biggest news and sporting events since 1992.
Since graduating with a Diploma in Journalism in 1991, Neil Reid has spent the past three decades on the frontline of the New Zealand media landscape. During that time, he has been a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery – covering several elections – and a raft of live news events including the Raurimu massacre, the fatal Ansett Flight 703 on the outskirts of Palmerston North, the White Island disaster and more recently the deadly Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay. His reporting has also taken him overseas to cover news events, including the 2009 MV Princess Ashika ferry sinking in Tonga which claimed 74 lives. Neil has a huge interest in sport, and as a full-time sports reporter and editor travelled to and covered three Rugby World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2011), two Olympic Games (2000 in Sydney and 2004 in Athens), the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, was ringside at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay for David Tua’s 2000 world heavyweight boxing title fight against Lennox Lewis, and has also covered numerous All Blacks, Kiwis and Black Caps tours. Based in Napier since January 2022, he covers a wide range of news and sport; the latter including a passion for the East Coast rugby team and Napier City Rovers football side. Away from daily reporting, he has also written three books; including ghostwriting former Black Caps star Craig McMillan’s 2009 autobiography, Out of the Park. Neil can be contacted neil.reid@nzme.co.nz. You can follow him on Twitter at @NeilReidnz.
Lotto Powerball: One very lucky punter $5.3 million richer
Big wins continue for Lotto players in 2025.
Wairarapa homicide: One person dead with gunshot wound, two in custody
Two people are in custody after fatal shooting.
Why international human rights group wants the Black Caps to boycott Afghanistan
The Black Caps play the Afghans in 2026 but a human rights group wants the series stopped.
From Monaco, to caravan life: The Kiwi Formula One star who quit the limelight
This Kiwi Formula One driver quit at the top of his game - and never looked back.
How a new pool complex became the focus of Wellington's health scare
State-of-the-art pools drained as tummy bug spreads.
Police appeal for sightings of car believed linked to Wellington homicide, arsons
Police urge people with information to 'speak with us before we knock on their door'.
Young Rover eyes American scholarship and becoming pro footballer
He joined the club at 6 and values it as his boyhood team.
Lotto Powerball: Two lucky punters win $5.5 million each
Two Kiwis to wake up much richer on Sunday morning.
Ryan Peake’s journey from Rebels biker gang and prison to NZ Open champion
Golf champ and ex-Rebel bikie says troubled past has shaped him into the man he is today.
Why Black Caps continue to play country run by ‘terrorist’ regime
NZ cricket bosses say Afghanistan's leaders would want them to ban play.
Wedding bells and pre-season slog for Napier City Rovers captain
Summer's been all about wedding bells and hard graft in training for inspirational leader.
Fizzy fury: Call to ban sugary drinks from sports stadiums
Dental Association says the “severity of the issue” of tooth decay in youth is alarming.
‘Scared out of his mind’: How mercy dash yachtie tried to save Peter Beckett’s life
Englishman rushed to help ex-Napier councillor after his own near-death in Guatemala.
‘Borrowed time’: Peter Beckett’s final days in Central America
Former Napier councillor sick for 'some time' – mercy dash details revealed.
Cleared of killing his wife, ‘outcast’ Peter Beckett dies in Central America
Man who knew Peter Beckett in Central America says he was a "bit of an outcast".
Prop to publisher: Former rep rugby captain’s journey to writing kids' books
Writing heartfelt children's books is a new passion for the former rugby hardman.
Cyclone Gabrielle tragedy: The questions the probe into 14 deaths wants to answer
Two years ago Cyclone Gabrielle brought death and destruction.
‘Nanny state’: Council proposes fizzy drink ban at sports stadium
Council claims fizzy ban at sports ground could improve the health of locals and visitors.
From MP to wellness guru: Anna Lorck’s radical new life
Lorck says her new life is a "contrast from the life that I was leading”.
Why Lions stars refused orders from Gatland’s coaching box on NZ tour
Dan Biggar doesn't hold back in his new book – including towards Warren Gatland.
Memoir reveals Lord of the Rings secrets, and inside Sir Peter Jackson’s mansion
A new book reveals the body part belonging to Gandalf, now kept in a fridge.
Why stricken rugby star Shane Christie will donate his brain to medical science
Former rugby star Shane Christie fears head trauma has left him with CTE.
Watch: Triumphs, tears and tenacity – a year inside leading Kiwi football team
Watch: The Herald spent a year in camp with a top NZ football club – catch all the drama.
'Pothole Nation': Slow-moving road trips await Kiwi holidaymakers this summer
AA's message to drivers: Be prepared for roadie delays – be polite to road workers.
Police give monthly safety training to Gisborne council staff abused by public
Concerning incidents at Gisborne Library include a photocopier being thrown.
‘Political free zone’: All Blacks urged to ditch ‘personal whims and fancies’
Ex-member of All Blacks off-field management team warns of political statement perils.
From charity to defeating champions: Napier City Rovers beat title holders 3-2
First they delivered presents at Ronald McDonald House - then they delivered on the pitch.
‘Excruciating fight’: Out-of-court settlement for family bereaved by White Island tragedy
With their lives shattered in the event, the family can now rebuild after the settlement.
How Napier City Rovers can make the National League final
National League final hope not lost despite gutting Napier City Rovers defeat.
Table-topping Napier City Rovers fizzing for National League run home
Napier City Rovers' hopes of making the National League final are in their own hands.
England rugby star opens up on being accused of sexual assault during New Zealand tour
England players were questioned by police as soon as they landed at Christchurch Airport.
Napier City Rovers' sights on National League glory
With three rounds to go, team remain in the hunt for grand final spot.
Brothers in arms: The footballing siblings who live, play and also got red-carded together
Blues Brothers: Ethan Richards on his on- and off-pitch relationship with brother Kieran.
Warriors ‘didn’t want me’: Ivan Cleary opens up on depression, tragic death of rising star
Ivan Cleary's new tell-all book has revelations that will leave Warriors fans stumped.
Rovers united: Bonding on and off the field
'Super-tight' team spirit includes eight footballers living in the same complex.
ABs and Boks ‘squared up’ in a bar, and the player who feared ABs wanted to ‘kill’ him
A new book claims a member of the 1981 Springboks was to be kidnapped in New Zealand.
Johnny Sexton on why he hated touring NZ and abuse from Kiwi fans
Johnny Sexton uses his book to get plenty of gripes related to NZ off his chest.
Controversial call and finishing cost Napier City Rovers top spot
Watch: Match officials called 'really poor' - penalty not given after striker cut down.
Solar tsunamis: New Zealand plans for potential ‘major infrastructure failure’
It's a matter of 'when, not if' the Earth is hit hard by extreme space weather.
Why Tairāwhiti needs a specialist emergency response team
Initiative will make region 'one of the most well-resourced' in NZ.
The values driving Napier City Rovers up the National League ladder
Talent isn’t always enough to succeed in high-pressure situations.
Best of the Bay: What Napier residents love the most – and the least – about the ‘Art Deco Capital’
Napier mayor welcomes public feedback - the main gripes will be listened to.
Province told keep kids out of pre-match haka or risk losing points
Ngāti Porou East Coast face a fine or losing points if fans don't stay off the field.
How Hawke’s Bay rugby has defied the New Zealand sporting credit crunch
Inside the proud provincial rugby union defying player drain and credit crunch trends.
Hawke’s Bay residents set to have say on public transport reforms amid ‘clear decline’
There are multiple reasons for a public transport drop-off; plans to reboot the system.
Scared kids push to slash speed limit past Gisborne school after cars clocked at 106km/h
Lives at risk: Speedsters clocked driving 106km/h past rural school.
Millions of cubic metres of silt cleared from Cyclone Gabrielle hammered sites
An award-winning silt taskforce nears major a milestone in cyclone-hit Hawke's Bay.
Magpies swap rugby boots for gumboots to help Hawke’s Bay community
Rugby stars give back to the community that supports them so much.
Leaders work towards ensuring region 'fit' to handle projected expansion
The region's population will grow – housing, roading and infrastructure are the priority.
Napier City Rovers aim high after rampant first-up National League win
Stunning start backs up Napier City Rovers' hopes of doing well in the National League.
How Covid-19 derailed NZ football golden boot contender’s pro trial in Denmark
Footballer Oscar Faulds travelled around the world to trial for a pro deal. Now he's back.
Enforcement and education: Officials' message in the wake of sobering fatal crash statistics
Transport report reveals 'large proportion' of fatal and serious crashes in 50km/h areas.
'Major deficiencies': Almost half of Hawke's Bay highways get a two-star rating
A State Highway described as a 'goat track' is among the routes needing urgent funding.
‘Poorly maintained’ CBD buildings in the sights of Wairoa council
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little: 'People want their main street to look good.'
Napier City Rovers set lofty goals ahead of National League
Captain Jim Hoyle opens up on Napier City Rovers' National League qualification and hopes.
Cop's plea to those who know the truth about Ariki Rigby's murder
Hunt for killers of teen who died in 'unfathomable circumstances' enters third year.
Police apologise for mistaking teen's body for sheep as killer still at large
As police continue to hunt for the killers, her family prepare a special memorial event.
Big Ben’s perfect timing helps Napier City Rovers secure National League spot
Napier City Rovers discover a new hero on the way to qualification.
Ultimate test of character awaits Napier City Rovers in National League hunt
Return to winning ways a must as Napier City Rovers hunt National League football place.
Autopsy completed on 5-year-old found dead in pond
Authorities have completed their examination as family plan tangi.
'Beautiful little man': Fundraiser for 5-year-old Khyzah's family raises over $10,000
'The loss of this cherished boy has left a big hole in everyone’s hearts.'
Gisborne community reels after rural pond tragedy claims life of 5-year-old Khyzah
Inside the search for Khyzah and the raw grief which has shaken his family's community.
New Zealand football’s golden boot contender’s golden chance in Europe
Top scorer in New Zealand domestic football head-hunted by professional Danish club.
'We're going to die up here': SAS hero on siege and survival in Kabul
An ex-soldier's explosive new book opens up on New Zealand SAS operations in Afghanistan.
Rise again: Napier City Rovers out to replace Chatham Cup pain with league joy
Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson: 'The message is to recover and bounce back'.
Rough waters and rougher realities: Eric Murray on the true price of gold
The Kiwi rower discusses winning, losing, and why winning a gold medal isn't everything.
Kiwi diver Lizzie Roussel on motherhood, financing her Olympic dream
Kiwi diver Lizzie Roussel will have a special fan poolside at Paris 2024 - her 2-year-old.
He feared an injury would end his football career. Now he’s an inspirational leader
Napier City Rovers captain Jim Hoyle opens up on captaincy and commitment.
‘Thick as bats***’: Book reignites Sir John Key’s alleged David Beckham comment
Ex-PM's alleged critique features in hard-hitting new book on David Beckham.
21 minutes left! England star's selection slammed over season time limit
Star's selection set to breach player welfare minute limit – player safety group hit-out.
Concussion: Should rugby laws change forever?
Player welfare group says tragedies like Billy Guyton's could help others.
Sex, drugs and gambling: England's wild NZ cricket tours revealed
Revealed: Just how wild England cricket tours of New Zealand really have been.
Triumph and tragedy: Meet the footy fan who takes his mum’s ashes to the game
Mega-fan won't work on match day; a day dedicated to his mum and favourite football team.
Kiwi sport legend’s Super League heroics just 48 hours after vasectomy
Dean Bell and ex-All Black Craig Innes have opened up about their time with Leeds.
Meth, cocaine, dope, guns and ammunition seized in central city bust
Police used a sniffer dog and armed officers during the raid.
150 days on oxygen, 78 nights in hospital - one prem baby's battle against the odds
Ardie Neil was born at 27 weeks and weighed just 1.2kg.
TVNZ job cuts: Mediation ordered after ERA ruling against broadcaster
ERA orders TVNZ to start mediation with union over job cuts.
She's overcome heartbreak. Now she's tackling one of the world's 'most dangerous' waves
Gisborne's Olympic surfer Saffi Vette opens up on life's hard lessons and goals.
Property boom: Gisborne region soars in home consents and sales
Huge amount of property market "positivity" after a tough 2023.
Government told heartland town's 'economic potential' undermined by roads
Council tells Government town's economic potential is "undermined" by roading network.
