Phil Taylor
Senior Writer
Phil Taylor is a senior writer for the New Zealand Herald
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.
Check out Phil’s latest content
Cave Creek disaster 25 years on: 'You can't stay angry forever'
Cave Creek disaster survivors and family reflect on 25th anniversary.
Lockdown stories: An artist, a cyclist, the Tour de France - and those shoes
How a Kiwi came to be busy in lockdown in Andorra painting the shoes of sports stars.
Air NZ refuses to update number of cabin crew who have tested positive
As Qantas cabin crew threaten over alleged mishandling, Air NZ won't give Covid numbers.
Special report: Air NZ flight attendant possible origin of wedding cluster
Airline crew member is a focus of inquiries to the origin of the biggest Covid-19 cluster.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Race to develop a vaccine explained
More than 50 Covid-19 vaccines are being worked on at record pace
Canterbury's low rate of Covid-19 testing revealed
MOH reveals details on Covid-19 tests throughout the country
Toughen lockdown, says NZ family evacuated from Wuhan
Kiwi family evacuated from Wuhan says Kiwi Covid19 lockdown should be tougher
Get checked: Millane case cop reveals cancer scare
Top detective reveals he was battling cancer while heading Grace Millane murder case.
Searching for my friend John: The boy who became a bank robber
Phil Taylor hunts for his friend who had dreams of becoming an air traffic controller.
Italian philosopher's eclectic Northland inn tops the world
The philosopher behind a world-beating Northland lodge that breaks all the rules.
Bodies found in search for snorkellers, boy, 10, and father
Two bodies have been found this evening by divers searching for a father and son.
Best of 2019: Man's missing $170k, a bitter break-up and the gang next door
Farm worker entrusted inheritance to a new neighbour whose mini-skirts turned heads.
'Everyone can change their opinion': Wozniacki welcomes Williams back to NZ
Caroline Wozniacki hopes it is seventh time lucky at ASB Classic on eve of her retirement.
Swept down a river and out to sea: 'She is a lady with a great will to live'
Woman walked out of surf hours later and 10km away. Her son, 6, had walked 2km for help
White Island: Cruise ship company can be sued in the US
Volcano victims can sue if they bought cruise trip in the US, says law expert.
No Plan B for Erebus Memorial, says Ministry
It's back to scratch if the go-ahead isn't given for Erebus memorial in Parnell park
$1.6b family feud: Rich-list matriarch favours 'black sheep' son in will
In the last move in a bitter feud over Erceg family fortune, mum favours 'black sheep' son
PM backs Erebus memorial process
Opposition says memorial too big, park too small and it would change its vibe.
Murderer was burying Grace Millane while due for job interview
More lies emerge in interaction between Grace Millane murderer and recruitment executive.
We are a nation of comfort eaters, big food survey reveals
Our favourite foods when we need comfort are chocolate and sweets.
'It should send clear signals to the Government': New food survey reveals high rate of allergies
A surprisingly high rate of allergies among Kiwis has been revealed by big new survey.
Big new food survey reveals our dark habits
Biggest survey of our food habits in a decade reveals we are a contradictory lot.
Erebus memorial site rated 'poor' by Government consultants
Erebus memorial site rated poor but Government pressed on in process slammed by critics.
Kiwi medical researchers in surprising finding
Auckland medical research team's stunning findings gain world attention.
'It means there is hope': The girl doctors said should be allowed to die, goes to school
Almost totally paralysed girl who doctors said should be allowed to die is off to school.
Former top justice official's warning about jailhouse informants
Former top Canadian justice official warns about causes of wrongful convictions.
Spark says it's on the ball for knock-out matches
Spark says it's on top of problems for knock-outs but ex-All Black will judge for himself.
Artist's spooky premonition of St James Church hall fire
Police have shelved their inquiry into suspected arson of Mt Eden heritage building.
Erebus memorial decision for Parnell park delayed until after elections
Decision delayed on placing Erebus national memorial in Parnell Rose Gardens.
People vs Spark Sport: Unhappy rugby fans threaten to sue for $250m
Unhappy rugby fans vow to sue Spark in $250 million class action over rugby coverage.
Blue Chip co-founder Mark Bryers' new life in Australia
The Blue Chip group of companies owed $84 million to more than 2000 investors.
'Wrong Erebus Memorial plans shown to public'
Row over national Erebus memorial hots up with claim that public were shown wrong plans.
Kiwi evangelist in Aussie PM's White House snub
Kiwi preacher, a friend of Australian PM, focus of White House snub claims
Decision time: High rises for Mission Bay waterfront?
Auckland Council is about to decide on $200 million high-rise plan for Mission Bay.
Public urged to get behind The Crater, a sunken waterfront stadium
Public urged to let politicians know whether they want The Crater, a waterfront stadium,
Angry locals threaten to protest Erebus memorial ceremony
Locals have vowed to fight both the design and placement of the memorial.
Iraena Asher mystery: Mum dies with no answers to tragedy
"A photograph of Iraena was on the casket and it went with Mum."
'Wrong design, wrong place': Opposition to Erebus memorial grows
Erebus family objects to choice of memorial of the air disaster for their local park.
In limbo: Seventies hitmaker trapped in organ donor 'Lotto'
John Hanlon, who had a string of hit songs in the 70s, has a rare terminal kidney disease
Eden Park's fight for hearts and minds
Passions run high in Eden Park neighbourhood but most say they are supporters.
Supermarket shocker: Scientists reveal the truth about the food on our shelves
Study confirms most packaged foods are bad for us, researchers call on Government to act.
The last time the All Blacks lost at Eden Park - how we've changed
The last time the All Blacks lost at Eden Park a Kiwi kid called Anna Paquin won an Oscar.
Obituary: The legendary cop who rescued John Banks
Legendary cop who helped a homeless teenage John Banks dies.
Millionaire's $2.7m gift to New Zealand
Mogul who fell in love with New Zealand 40 years ago backs Kiwi health researchers.
96% say 'yes' to Sunday night Eden Park cricket
Auckland Council received 937 submissions of which 30 were recorded as opposed.
Sunday Black Caps match at Eden Park hangs in balance
Fate of Eden Park Black Caps v India Sunday match lies with independent planners.
Watching the cricket final? Here's what to tell your boss
Watching the Cricket World Cup final "a patriotic duty", says union boss
Too fat to live, too young to die: 122kg weight loss journey
He decided he was too young to die and has shed 122 kgs and feels "unstoppable".
Alan Duff: Don't blame colonisation and racism for the problems of Māori
White liberals and academics aren't helping solve problems of Māori, Alan Duff says.
Proton therapy hope for 2-year-old with rare cancer
Parents hope to get treatment in the US for energetic 2-year-old with rare cancer.
The ex-gang man guiding Teina Pora back into society
The former gang member helping Teina Pora tells his remarkable story of how he made it.
'I'm the victim,' says Mob member in upmarket unit row
"I like my music loud at the weekends but so do a lot of the people here."
Marital split: Why Mongrel Mob moved into upmarket unit
Bitter matrimonial dispute lies behind Mongrel Mob moving into upmarket Grey Lynn complex.
'World's greatest living explorer' follows in Hillary's footsteps: Sir Ranulph Fiennes
He sawed off his own fingers, survived an angina attack and has no plans to slow down.
Under siege: Gang members terrify upmarket complex
Gang members move into upmarket Grey Lynn apartment complex and terrify the neighbours.
'A drive-by shooting': Man shot dead as he walked away from confrontation
The man fatally shot Friday afternoon was turning away from a confrontation.
Accelerant used in huge blaze that destroyed Mt Eden church hall
Court ruling made on demolition just weeks before blaze.
Gang shooting throwback to bad old days for suburb trying to make good
Meeting planned to calm tensions in Ōtara after gang shooting.
'Do not fear me': Brother of victim to alleged gunman's family
'I have lost my brother and you, too, have lost your son ... I'm sorry for you.'
Napier siege hero: 'I'm glad I'm here, it's been a hard 10 yrs'
Four people tell their harrowing stories of the Napier siege.
Wife of policeman killed during Napier siege breaks her silence
Exclusive: 'For me, life is about squashing down sad and putting on a brave face.'
'Racist pamphlet by ignorant fool' enrages Justice Minister
Pamphlet that references Don Brash labelled racist by Justice Minister Andrew Little.
I'll make Eden Park gem shine: Tamihere
Mayoral candidate promises to ensure Eden Park's future as Auckland's premier stadium.
'Predatory': Westmere mum finds porn virus on 12yo's phone
Malware infects young girl's phone with predatory porn.
$1 billion bill for botched quake repairs
Fixing poorly done earthquake repairs is likely to cost $1 billion
Christchurch terror exclusive: Facebook vows to ban hate
Facebook says it will take steps to rein in terror videos and clamp down on hate speech.
Poet, sportsman, environmentalist Brian Turner on turning 75
Turner talks about turning 75, the shape we're in and the art of keeping on keeping on.
Girl found near death by Auckland yachties is now full of life
Girl has made remarkable recovery, but needs lifelong care and expensive medication.
Kim Dotcom sued for $300k over apartment renovation
Landlords sue Kim Dotcom for adding black carpet - and other changes - to penthouse.
Making of a monster: Phil Taylor on 30 years of covering Malcolm Rewa
Stepmother of rapist and murderer Malcolm Rewa breaks her silence.
Third murder trial of Malcolm Rewa starts Monday
Tomorrow Malcolm Rewa will defend for the third time a charge that he is also a murderer.
'It's really cheap to build here, it's nuts': Expat Kiwi on why she won't rush home
Outfit with own supply chain would force pricing rethink, says expert.
You need a university degree to read online contracts, study finds
Common online contracts are unreadable but are still enforced, warn researchers.
Dunedin cricketer dies during match
A cricketer died following a medical event during a match in Dunedin.
'You see why I might be a little bit pissed?' Art thief to sue
Career criminal Ricardo Romanov has great ambition, including racing Superbikes.
Kiwi accused of $66m in kickbacks
A New Zealander embroiled in US$2 billion scam little known in New Zealand.
'That dog was not going to let go until it either chewed her arm off or killed her'
Brave bystander saves woman attacked on Chatham Islands by own pig dog.
Abduction case: Woman's heartbreaking letter to Ardern
Women tells PM Hague convention child abduction rules are putting her children at risk.
Readers donate $155,000 for eye care in Vanuatu
Readers donate $155,000 for eye care in Vanuatu after Herald-Fred Hollows campaign.
Grace Millane: Why we care and why we need to
Why the murder of Grace Millane has touched a nerve and what may come of it.