Raphael Franks is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on breaking news, crime, transport and human interest stories.
Raphael hails from Christchurch but made Auckland his home in 2022. While attending Christchurch Boys’ High School from 2014 to 2018, he worked in Coca-Cola Amatil’s bottling plant; and while studying geography at the University of Canterbury, he worked in retail. Marking a total reversal in career ambitions, Raphael was offered the opportunity to join the Te Rito Journalism Cadetship programme in 2022, funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund. Through this, he got experience working in some of the country’s largest newsrooms and some of the country’s smallest. He began working for the Herald in the same year. During this time, Raphael has covered the Auckland Anniversary Floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, two different shootings on Queen St and another on Ponsonby Rd, the closure of Newshub, the slimming down of TVNZ, and other major news events of the day. You can contact Mr Franks on 027 436 5668 or at raphael.franks@nzme.co.nz.
Prestigious boys' college cancels centenary celebrations amid sex abuse allegations
A former staff member faces 11 charges of sexual abuse against four boys.
‘I’ve written about things I haven’t shared before': Former PM Ardern reveals book release
Ardern was expected to get an advance from $1m to $1.5m for the rights in Australasia.
Fishermen beat shark with broom after beast takes giant tuna's tail
The trio of men beat the shark away as they tried to haul the fish onboard.
Police charge man, 22, after daylight carjacking outside popular Auckland cafe
The victim got out of his car but was punched and had his car stolen.
Watch: 'Red mist' blamed for policeman’s dangerous U-turn in front of truck
The officer is being spoken to, but that's not enough, the affected truckie says.
Mayor hits back after Trump claims US split the atom
Trump appears to rewrite history while talking about US achievements at his inauguration.
Storm hits: Power cuts, road closures as rivers rise in Northland
Severe weather watches and warnings are in force.
‘Extreme care’: Thunderstorms, downpours bear down on Nth Island, wind warnings for harbour bridge
Civil Defence has warned people to keep watch on the incoming storm due from 3pm today.
19hr deluge: Thunderstorms, gales prompt warnings
Civil Defence has warned people to keep watch on the incoming storm due from 3pm today.
Watch: Floating picnic table pulls up to SailGP Auckland
A policeman on a jetski intercepted the group of men, took a photograph, and left.
Watch: Fire destroys large house in rural Taranaki
Fire crews called to Inglewood blaze about 5.30pm, video shows structure collapsing.
'Slight error with accelerator' results in police car crashing into fence
An alleged dangerous driver hits lamppost, police respond and crash patrol car at scene.
Children narrowly missed after car ploughs into pedestrians in Upper Hutt
The blockage was disrupting traffic headed for the Wellington Cup at Trentham Racecourse.
Terraced house hellfire: New builds in Akl overheating due to poor design
Construction experts say overheating is difficult to mitigate once a house is built.
Former MP Golriz Ghahraman under investigation after Pak’nSave shoplifting complaint
Police are looking into the alleged incident.
Man arrested for allegedly stealing supplies, lifesaving drugs from air ambulance
The 31yo accused is also alleged to have committed two more burglaries at the weekend.
Busy Auckland road to have more works done after year of disruption from changes
Auckland Transport is installing traffic lights at the Meola Rd/Garnet Rd roundabout.
Police observe national minute of silence for slain Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming
Senior Sergeant Fleming, 62, was killed when she was rammed by a car on New Year's Day.
Fires break out on Auckland’s Southern Motorway
NZTA said motorists should expect delays as emergency services respond.
Boat owners worried their vessels may have been torched in suspicious Akl fire overnight
Emergency services called to the scene on Tāmaki Dr about 9.30pm.
Nelson man found dead after ‘some time’ at home identified by police, cause of death a mystery
He was found at his home on Suffolk Rd in Stoke on Friday, January 10.
Woman allegedly steals car, crashes it on busy Christchurch road
Police spiked the car on Bealey Ave before it crashed. The woman is in hospital.
Summer's coming! Warm air from subtropics headed our way in late January
Good weather should coincide with Waitangi Day and regional anniversary holidays.
Drugs stolen from NZ air ambulance deadly if taken recreationally
The helicopter was at Taieri airfield in Otago when it was targeted on the weekend.
Ecostore worker's eyes permanently damaged in chemical accident
The Auckland factory worker was making dishwash powder.
'Longest six days of my life': Kiwis stranded in US airport without food, clothing
Passengers describe terminal mayhem, hungry children crying and desperation to get home.
Man crushed by tractor loses arm, fractures skull and neck
Blake Anderson's parents are staying in Wellington to be by his hospital bed.
One dead after truck hits pedestrian in Whanganui
Emergency services went to SH3, near Blueskin Rd in Westmere, about 10.15am today.
Support for new rail-enabled ferries, Kiwis don’t want privatisation
Some transport sector leaders say ferries non-rail-enabled would make freight more costly.
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.
Sinkhole opens in wealthy Auckland street
It's believed a chasm of up to 2sq m lies underneath the ruptured road.
Migrant worker left in coma from scissor lift fall dies
WorkSafe has launched an investigation into SD Aluminium in Auckland.
Witnesses sought after alleged murderer drives child's body to police station
A 37-year-old man appeared in court on Monday charged with murder.
Police go door-to-door, seek CCTV after child’s body driven to police station
Neighbours say the normally quiet street is filled with police activity.
Ban on fruit, vege movement in Auckland suburb after fruit fly found
Biosecurity NZ says a single male insect was found in a backyard trap.
Multimillion-dollar meth busts at Auckland airport in first two days of 2025
Meth had been soaked into clothing to conceal it.
Man accused of murdering policewoman to keep name secret for seven days
The 32-year-old faces eight charges in relation to the New Year's Day incident.
Nelson policewoman death: Man charged with murder, in court today
The 32-year-old faces seven additional charges.
Severe thunderstorm warning issued, torrential rain possible
Lightning, heavy rain and hail are possible across much of the country.
Witnesses describe ‘heart-wrenching screams’ in Hamilton attack that killed child
Fairfield residents recall grim details of the violent incident early on New Year's Day.
Tributes flow for ‘incredible police officer’ killed in Nelson car ramming, vigil planned
'This cuts deep and makes me feel numb and angry,' says colleague Constable Jamie White.
Wet start to 2025 for holiday hotspots and main centres across NZ
The first day of 2025 is forecast to deliver rain to all the main centres.
Police identify man found dead in water after fleeing officers at Ōhope Beach
The circumstances leading to the death of Hikato Maaka, a father of five, remain murky.
New Year’s Eve weather: Chch fireworks show canned, East Coast thunder and downpour alert continues
MetService says showers and strong winds should ease for most as midnight approaches.
Armed person on the loose on North Shore: One person seriously injured in assault
Police say the alleged offender is armed with a weapon other than a gun.
New Year’s Eve festivals under threat from rain, thunderstorms as ferries cancelled
A MetService-issued heavy rain watch is in place in Gisborne.
‘Thrown over the trees’: Shock as ‘little tornado’ picks up tent full of holidayers
The family are shocked — but luckily without bad injuries after the Canterbury incident.
Expert horrified after shark disembowelled on Auckland beach, pups ripped from womb
The shark had washed up dead on the shore earlier this week.
Roads busy from today as holiday exodus begins, one killed in SH25 crash
Parts of the motorway network will be clogged during the Christmas exodus.
'Chew through your brain': Boy's agonising ordeal after insect crawls into ear
Mother shares advice for others after schoolboy terrified by incident.
Nelson schools evacuated after threats: Police set up cordons, say risk not genuine
Cops say an email 'of a concerning nature' was sent to several schools.
Third victim of triple-fatal motorbike crash named as Luke Shaw, funeral planned
Shaw died alongside Lesley Brooks, 46, and Jacob Coady, 24, in crash on SH1 on Saturday.
Young dad faces raising children alone after 'devoted mother' dies in crash
'My next steps are to honour my wife and raise my children.'
'Whole lives ahead of them': Siblings killed in horror Rotorua crash
'My girl is dancing among heaven’s flowers,' victim's widower says.
Bridge reopens: Businesses hopeful Wynyard Quarter link will bring patrons back
The fix has cost at least $10.6m. The bridge cost $3.7m to build in 2011.
Teen missing after travelling to Auckland’s K Rd
The 16yo was believed to be in the K Rd area, around downtown Auckland, police say.
Man allegedly points gun at South Auckland resident, flees
The alleged offender was arrested in Māngere, found with cannabis and shotgun cartridges.
Deluges forecast for North Island, Auckland faces thunderstorms and muggy temperatures
Akl forecast to hit 24C tomorrow, 26C on Fri. Hastings could reach 30C in weekend.
Please Mr Postman: Union slates proposal for posties to stop delivering to some letterboxes
Mail delivery frequencies also slated for slash.
'Injuries are severe': Biker fighting for life in hospital after horrific triple-fatality crash
Fundraising to support Tautini Capper and his wife has so far raised just over $12,000.
Meth for Christmas: Canadian arrested for allegedly smuggling drug concealed as gift in carry-on
Customs arrested the 29-year-old at Auckland International Airport on Sunday.
Grief-stricken motorcycle community planning final ride for victim of crash that killed three people
Motorcyclist mates determined to give beloved rider the send-off she would have wanted.
'Ride free brother': Second motorcyclist killed in triple fatal 'will never be forgotten'
Three people died in Saturday's crash. Lesley Brooks, 46, was a mum of three.
'Lost something we weren't willing to give up': Rider killed in triple fatal crash a mum of three
Lesley Brooks, 46, was a member of the Road Pirates MC. Cause of crash remains in doubt.
Couple stranded in 40C heat stalked by croc after 4WD lost in flood waters
The couple wrote two large 'SOS' signs in the dirt, leading rescuers to their location.
Stranger danger alert: Schoolboy approached by couple in white van with tinted windows
Police want to find the 'suspicious' couple, ask Marlborough residents for help.
Youths missing from bootcamp found as police respond to carjacking, machete-wielding teens in Hamilton
OT confirm two teens missing from bootcamp found. Police found armed youths in stolen car.
Bird flu update: 160k chooks to be killed after authorities say only one farm affected
The high pathogenic bird flu detected on Otago farm last week. MPI says other farms clear.
Grieving family of nurse killed in crash mourns ‘bubbly’ girl whose last act saved lives
'We know that her life made a difference and it wasn’t wasted.'
'Limping in pain': Row after mall security prevents injured man using scooter
David Stewart, 54, says he was left feeling embarrassed and suffering in pain.
Watch: Businessman scuffles with protester in Auckland
Deno Stock was using a megaphone protesting the Melbourne Cup when he was attacked.
Neonatal nurse one of two women killed in rural Auckland crash
Tegan Hill, 25, was working in her "dream career" when a crash claimed her life.
Queen St shooting: Officer shot in face determined to protect public despite nearly dying
Detective Shaun Winstanley has described the feeling of being shot, lessons he's learned.
Watch: Brawl on boat on Auckland harbour, police wait on wharf to make arrest
Dramatic footage caught the moment police wrangled a man to the ground.
Arsenic in the water: Senior Govt minister keeping watch, results due this afternoon
The Prime Minister confirmed he had been briefed on the situation.
Plane risked crashing in Auckland: Report finds crew stressed and distracted
The crew forgot to properly activate a key fuel pump.
Kiwi allegedly shot on visit to parents in Cape Town died in father's arms
Slain man named by friends as Eugene Robbemond, 49, a Whanganui business owner, father.
'A beloved daughter': Nikki Kaye's family held private service before MP's death made public
Details of Kaye's passing are revealed in her death notice in this morning's paper.
Kiwi allegedly murdered after intervening in Cape Town robbery
New Zealander was visiting his parents, who were the targets of a robbery.
Four youths arrested after ride in stolen vehicle, crashing into car on Southern Motorway
Cars were seen crashed and stopped across lanes on the motorway.