Rachel Maher is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news.
Rachel specialises in reporting on crime issues in Auckland, extensively covering the issues of retail ram raids and youth crime. She has also reported on many other topics including social justice issues, politics and entertainment. Rachel grew up in Whangārei before moving to Tāmaki Makaurau in 2018. After a lifelong passion for writing and story-telling, Rachel studied at AUT and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication, majoring in journalism, in 2022. She achieved her dream of becoming a journalist when she joined the Herald in June of the same year as a breaking news reporter. Rachel has quickly established herself as a passionate and well-rounded reporter, covering everything from the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle destruction to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. You can contact Rachel at rachel.maher@nzme.co.nz.
Who is Isack Hadjar and why did he just become Liam Lawson’s biggest rival?
The Frenchman finished 8th, outperforming Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda over the weekend.
Australian man has facial surgery after violence at Auckland FC match
A 46-year-old was arrested over the alleged assault.
Emergency on tarmac as ‘mist’ spotted coming from plane about to depart
The Air NZ flight was preparing to leave Auckland Airport when problems struck.
Tropical atmospheric river hits NZ, more than 24 hrs of rain forecast for some regions
Some parts of the Tasman District could get 500mm of rain or more, the council said.
Waimauku road closed, 2 injured, one critical, after head-on crash
Witnesses described the road as 'pretty wet' at the time of the accident.
‘Gut-wrenching’: Kiwi stars rally behind Lawson after F1 demotion
Liam Lawson was demoted to the Racing Bulls team after two grands prix.
‘It’s tough’: Liam Lawson breaks silence after Red Bull demotion
Lawson said in the statement racing for Red Bull was his childhood dream.
‘Always seem to blame the driver’: Red Bull criticised for timing of Lawson’s demotion
Yuki Tsunoda will reportedly replace Lawson for the next race in Japan.
Dire warning as ‘drought buster’ rain in April unlikely, North Island faces more dry months
New data shows rainfall is down by about 75% in many areas.
‘Thugs and idiots’: Mayor says town has had ‘a guts full’ after fatal shooting
Two men, aged 23 and 25, are charged with Doreion Hard's death as mum mourns.
Watch: ‘Could have been much worse‘ – women flee stalled car seconds before train hits
The women clutched each other as the freight train edged closer.
Driver, 22, charged after fatal Auckland crash during alleged police pursuit
A man was killed after the car crashed into him on a busy city street.
‘Our dreams are gone’: Tradie dad is victim of fatal crash involving driver allegedly fleeing police
The man died after a car allegedly fleeing police crashed into him on a busy city street.
'I'm so numb': Fire destroys paraplegic woman's home, dad jumped for his life
Chloe Wigg's dad jumped out a window, saving their dog, but was hospitalised.
‘As dry as it gets’: Auckland latest region placed under total fire ban over wildfire fears
Outdoor fires are now banned across the top of the country.
‘I just feel sick’: Woman who rescued kids off Matamata train tracks feared death ‘inevitable’
A local woman said she had pulled five toddlers off the same stretch of train tracks.
‘Beloved student’ fatally struck by train named
Matamata College has paid tribute to Sarie Morton.
Mayor vows action after girl dies in train tragedy near Matamata College
Police and WorkSafe are making inquiries following the incident.
More Teslas targeted by paint pest, police probe after six cars damaged in one night
Owners believe the attacks are protests against Tesla's CEO Elon Musk.
‘Absolutely gutted’: Electric vehicles targeted with spray paint in Auckland
The incidents come after Molotov cocktails were allegedly thrown at a US Tesla dealership.
‘Justice, peace and comfort’: Tributes for man who died at Ōrere Point
He allegedly bit an officer and threatened others with a metal pole.
‘Devoted’ Kiwi grandfather killed on UK motorway
Cliff Tamou's truck broke down on the M6 before he was struck by another vehicle.
Woman who gave birth on AirNZ plane planned to deliver at Te Matatini
A family member of the mum says she was in labour for 12 hours before boarding.
Officials suspect Chinese warships in Australian waters may be backed by nuclear sub
A small New Zealand naval contingent is shadowing the Chinese navy ships off Tasmania.
3000 charges laid, 76 gang patches seized, 67 firearms under new law
Firearm seizures rose 52% compared to the same period last year.
Behaviour ‘consistent with live fire’: NZ Navy shadowing Chinese warships
Defence Minister Judith Collins criticised China for not informing NZ about the warships.
‘Miracle we’re alive’: Couple wake screaming as car ploughs into house
Walls in the homes crumbled as the car barrelled into two properties.
‘Qualified buyers’ only: The strict sale terms as Polkinghorne’s mansion hits market
The home’s past is acknowledged, but the focus is on its location and design.
Seymour says there was ‘overlap’ during teacher only-day crackdown, no overstep
He stressed teacher-only days need the Minister of Education's approval.
Dog owner’s $700 vet bill after pet eats dead eel at popular Auckland waterfront walk
Officials say the Wattle Downs and Ōrākei Basin incidents are not connected.
'Breaks our heart': Investigation into Piha swimmer's rare death between flags
The swimmer was in a group of seven caught in a rip while swimming between flags.
‘Senseless loss’: Kiwi mum killed in Melbourne in suspected murder-suicide
Rachel McKenna, 35, was found dead at her home in Ascot Vale last Friday.
Luxon hits out at banks' ‘political posturing’, discusses tax cuts
He rejected claims the Govt might pull out of the Paris Agreement.
‘We apologise’: Lunches to arrive late across Auckland schools due to oven glitch
Schools will be reimbursed for buying food due to delayed lunches.
‘Couldn’t see how nobody had been killed’: Holidaymakers shaken after tree hits campervan
Large tree fell during wild storm last night.
‘Alarming’: Police staff investigated for prying on Lyn Fleming’s file
A probe is under way to determine the rationale for and legitimacy of each file check.
Watch: ‘Fatal consequences’ - Youth’s crane stunt 220 metres above Auckland waterfront
A short clip captures a youth performing daredevil antics more than 200m from the ground.
Heavy rain, severe gusts to hit Auckland during rush hour
Strong winds hit Auckland, with gusts reaching 93km/h on the harbour bridge.
Storm hits: Power cuts, road closures as rivers rise in Northland
Severe weather watches and warnings are in force.
Cockroaches, mice, rotting floors and mould - my Auckland flatting horror story
Reporter Rachel Maher lays bare the trials and tribulations of her 10 homes in five years.
Whangārei fire: Home still under threat, firefighting efforts to stretch across three days
The cause of the fire is not yet know but an investigation will take place on Friday.
Christmas Day capsize: Two men found clinging to boat in Fiordland
Photos show the helicopter hovering over the men before they were rescued.
Catnappings and ransom: Beloved Mt Eden supermarket cat rehomed
The turbulent tale of Mt Eden's famous feline and why she disappeared.
Auckland's newest waterfront attraction opens to public
The pool is in the heart of Auckland's CBD and is free to the public.
Auckland Airport IT outage resolved after hours of 'carnage' for travellers
One passenger described being 'stuck like sardines' this morning.
'Absolute disaster': Tech outage causes major delays at Auckland Airport's check-in
Passengers are being offered snacks and water while they wait in queues.
'Don't pay ridiculous prices': Auckland FC boss warns against shelling out $400 for tickets
The football boss says there's no guarantee tickets bought from scalpers are legitimate.
'Calming' water feature starts smoking as firefighters issue warning over cheap electronics
A Hastings man said he woke up to a burning smell and the outlet close to igniting.
Christchurch woman shot dead by 14-year-old daughter in US
The teen has been charged with her mother's murder.
Detective's bond with Grace Millane's mum, six years after killing
Scott Beard said Grace's mum could discuss things she couldn't with 'anyone else'.
'Rogue operators': Notorious cab firm tries charging $170 for 1.6km ride
“We’re a young couple from out of town and feel really taken advantage of."
'Tragically taken': Families mourn train crash victims
People wishing to pay respects have been asked to not wear patches or bring alcohol.
Sir John Key says Trump's win part of a 'bigger movement'
Key did not want to 'sugarcoat' the implications Trump's win might have on trade.
Man hospitalised after violent 'hate crime' at gay bar
The man said he moved to New Zealand seven years ago to feel safe, but no longer does.
Man appears in court after allegedly stabbing his partner to death in West Auckland
A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder.
'Help me': Screams heard by neighbours; woman stabbed to death in Auckland
A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder.
PM Luxon responds to Mike King’s alcohol comments, backs Gumboot Friday
King claimed alcohol was the solution for people with mental issues.
IPCA say cop was 'unjustified' in shooting at fleeing driver
However, the report found the officer was justified in shooting at him twice more.
'Betrayed': Resigned King's College staffer messaged adults, not minors, school says
The male staffer acknowledged being involved in inappropriate online activity.
'Beyond despicable': Man who attacked child at park deserves 'South Auckland justice', councillor
A principal said he first heard of the incident when media reported it yesterday.
Police offer $100,000 reward in relation to 39-year-old murder case
Police have offered a $100,000 reward in hunt for murderer.
Police identify suspect in Auckland bus killing, victim unknown to attacker
The victim was a bus passenger - she did not know her attacker.
Auckland primary school pupils of accused groomer being interviewed, letter claims
The teacher, in her 30s, is due to appear in court next month.
'I wasn't': Andrew Bayly maintains he wasn't drunk when he insulted worker
Bayly apologised last week, claiming he thought his comments were 'light-hearted'.
Youths leave Wiri justice facility roof, PM pulls no punches on earlier demands
The facility is the same site where a group were guided down with fast food last year.
'Call the police': Woman on phone to boyfriend during Auckland home invasion
The woman ended the call quickly when she heard a loud 'bang' downstairs.
'Come home': Grandma's plea to fugitive son Tom Phillips to bring back kids
And the grandma squashes rumours she's been helping the elusive family.
'They’re all alive': Mum relieved to see kids missing for nearly 3 years in video
Cat became emotional watching her children disappear back into rugged farmland.
Watch: Fugitive Tom Phillips and three children filmed in bush with large packs
The hunters stood mere metres away from the missing family and spoke to the children.
Otago flooding: Concern overnight for river levels, Dunedin highways closed, NZDF brought in
Dunedin and surrounding areas are enduring a once-in-a-century weather event.
Dunedin cut off: Floodwaters close state highways, second rain 'peak' later today, Clutha declares state of emergency
Officials hoping for breaks in the weather to help ease surface flooding.
Special protection: The diplomats who invoked immunity to evade crime - and those that didn't
It comes as the partner of an Australian diplomat was arrested, released in Wellington
Watch: Robbers steal $2000 in Lego from Auckland store in 'calculated' attack
A worker said staff were fearful about the lead-up to Christmas.
Crackdown starts now: Seymour says attending today's climate strike counts as truancy
The Associate Education Minister says skipping class to strike would be 'unjustified'.
Te Pāti Māori warns of ‘million Māori’ wrath over axed $30m te reo programme
Labour's Willow-Jean Prime: 'You can't value te reo Māori while cutting vital resources.'
$30m cut from te reo Māori programme to boost maths curriculum
Education Minister Erica Stanford said the te reo Māori initiative lacked accreditation.
Back to the office: Business leader calls for Auckland workers to return to CBD
The Prime Minister wants stricter working-from-home rules. Should Auckland follow suit?
Watch: Auckland garage targeted in shooting, police investigating
The garage at the front of the property was unoccupied at the time.
Electricity warning after frigid snap; more thunderstorms to come today
An unstable westerly flow is expected to bring heavy showers and possible small hail.
Western Springs College reopens after bomb threat
Seniors arriving for exams had gathered on the field.