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.
'Saturated meth market' as Mexican cartels cut prices, rise in drug sales on darknet
Consumption of cocaine has noticeably increased in every region this year.
Woman who died after getting caught in rip at Piha named
Htet died at the west coast beach last Tuesday.
'Haughtiness and bitterness': Seymour slates critics of Treaty Principles Bill
Former PM Dame Jenny Shipley claimed Seymour was 'inviting civil war'.
'Out of action': WorkSafe shuts down A&P rollercoaster after reports of 'bolts falling out'
Cantabrians are worried about the safety of fairground rides.
Former Tipene Funerals undertaker accused of misconduct denies charges
Former Casketeers' undertaker Fiona Bakulich is accused of putting bodies in plastic bags.
South Auckland women allegedly shoplift immediately after leaving court on theft charges
The women are accused of stealing $1800 of goods straight after their court date.
'Watching pornos a reason to go to jail': Barbs fly between senior Māori MPs over haka row
Rawiri Waititi defends party's MP after she copped criticism from Shane Jones.
Hīkoi continues south ahead of Treaty Principles Bill vote
Police say 5000 people crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge on journey to Wellington.
Police escort gets NZ's only elephant Burma safely to airport for flight to OZ
Burma was spotted in her crate being trucked across Auckland this morning.
Luxon speaks to Trump, congratulates him on 'historic' election win
PM snubs Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB to chat with Trump.
'Police will take action': Warning to protesters starting convoys today
Protest organised by advocacy group Toitū te Tiriti started at Cape Rēinga this morning.
Man who died after interaction with police was at Auckland City Mission site
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified.
Seymour questions March for the Treaty of Waitangi organisers aligning with Gaza and gang bans
The protest hits Auckland on Wednesday, disrupting motorways and the Harbour Bridge.
Million-dollar Christmas tree: Auckland Council criticised for 'incredibly high price tag'
Council stumping up $800k for 18m fake tree, private orgs paying the rest.
Scale of Tipene Funerals undertaker's alleged misconduct revealed: More bodies involved
Bakulich, featured on reality TV show The Casketeers, to appear in court again on Friday.
Luxon weighs in on potential tariff hikes under Trump presidency
Luxon appeared unsure whether Trump really would introduce a 20% tariff.
Protests to choke motorways, harbour bridge: Two anti-Govt demonstrations in four days
NZTA says it is liaising with police, warns Aucklanders to be prepared for disruptions.
Photos from inside gutted Auckland mosque show scale of damage
Police have security footage of a man allegedly breaking in and setting a mosque alight.
'Hooligans' shoot fireworks at school kids, burn young girl’s top
The incident happened on Victory Rd in Laingholm about 4.45pm.
Arrest for mosque fire: 19yo in court on arson, burglary charges over Auckland blaze
Police have security footage of a man allegedly breaking in and settling mosque alight.
Police say fire at Auckland mosque was arson after CCTV shows 1am break in
'This just creates more hatred, more fear,' senior mosque member says.
Supporters with placards clap as Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki goes into court
Brian Tamaki is accused of intentionally failing to comply with Covid-19 public laws.
One person dead after car flips, snaps power pole on Auckland's North Shore
The incident also cut electricity to swathes of Auckland’s North Shore.
Niwa says summer could be hotter, dryer than average; hot temps for week ahead
Some Sth Island areas may have heavy weather today, Nth Island has warmer days coming up.
Watch: Police investigating after car flips, snaps pole on North Shore; four injured
Multiple car crashes across the country have left several people injured.
Exclusive Auckland private school warns parents of data breach
The school has warned its community to remain vigilant.
Labour calls for review of Mike King’s charity funding after 'problematic' alcohol claims
King, of I am Hope and Gumboot Friday, says 'alcohol is the solution' for mental illness.
'Our life jacket': Mike King defends claims 'alcohol is the solution' for mental health
'Alcohol not a problem for people with mental issues. It’s actually the solution.' - King.
Trick-or-treat warning: Meth lollies still a risk, police say
Each 'lolly' is 3g of meth, or 300 doses.
Undertaker facing charges of misconduct with bodies is named, was on The Casketeers
Bakulich is accused of putting dead bodies in plastic bags instead of coffins paid for.
Thunder, hailstorms for Auckland before lunch; showers in regions easing in evening
Hailstones up to 15mm in diameter are possible, and rainfall of 15mm an hour in places.
Police impound vehicles involved in South Auckland gang gathering
Inspector Rakana Cook says cops will be following up on others involved in the event.
Millie Elder-Holmes makes heartbreaking post 10 years after partner Connor Morris' murder
Michael Murray killed Morris in August 2014. Morris' partner is Sir Paul Holmes' daughter.
Queen St alleged hate crime: 43yo Auckland woman faces raft of assault charges
Police sought a woman over alleged hate crime. When cops checked CCTV, they found more.
'I tried to wake her but she wouldn't respond': Heroic girl, 9, performs CPR, saves mum's life
Sydney Salud, 9, also comforted her two younger siblings panicked by their mum's collapse.
Onehunga bus stabbing victim may have known alleged killer
CCTV shows pair together earlier in the day.
Showers forecast for much of NZ, wet week ahead for Auckland
Warnings set for parts of the country lapse this morning. Auckland should hit 21C today.
Gulf Harbour body in bag victim identified by police
The body was found wrapped in plastic floating in the ocean in March.
Auckland funeral director appears in court for alleged misconduct with human body
Today's court appearance follows investigations into a former employee of Tipene Funerals.
Onehunga bus attack: Murder accused appears in court
A man handed himself into a police station yesterday after a 24-hour hunt.
'I was begging them': Man with broken neck went home fed up after ED wait
"They just didn't take my concerns seriously," Urlich reflects on his ordeal.
Families allegedly fleeced by undertaker desperate for answers from Tipene Funerals
A 48-year-old woman is due to appear in court on Friday to face charges.
Tipene Funerals: Woman charged with misconduct in respect of human remains
The 48-year-old Auckland woman will appear in court this Friday.
Female teacher at Auckland primary school accused of grooming, indecently assaulting child
'An investigation was launched after the matter was reported to police last month.'
Living the LA lifestyle: Soaking up the glitz and glamour of Santa Monica
Raphael Franks travels to California and feels like he's living in a movie.
'Incredibly valued' senior doctor dies at own Auckland hospital, ED faces disruption
The hospital considered diverting patients elsewhere after the death.
Banksy in Welly: NZ fans of legendary street artist get chance to own an original piece
The Art of Banksy exhibition will run for seven weeks from Nov 28 and tickets are on sale.
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau claims Govt intervention not discussed in meeting with minister
The mayor went into the meeting adamant any outside intervention was unnecessary.
Broken lift leaves residents making 15-storey trek to reach central Auckland apartments
One resident says it takes her 15 minutes to climb the stairs to her floor.
Tikanga Māori battle at NZ law schools: Senior KC slams 'activist judiciary'
Gary Judd KC says having tikanga in NZ law is 'very damaging, socially and economically'.
Meth lollies Halloween warning: Police urge extra vigilance in Auckland
'Vital the public are aware' of the danger. Each 'lolly' is 3g of meth, or 300 doses.
Auckland daycare staffer fell ill from gas leak while cleaning out fridge, two others overcome
Those affected by the incident have been discharged from hospital.
Thunder, hail, heavy showers tipped for Auckland evening commute; wind warning for Harbour Bridge
The first week of term four kicks off on a wet note for most of the North Island.
Milford Sound kayaker dies in Cleddau River accident
Police say Nuhaj worked as a tourist guide and was an experienced kayaker.
'No words can describe the pain': Marlborough crash victim mourned by family
"Until we meet again, fly high, our beautiful boy."
Manawanui sinking: Black box salvaged, oil sheen on water visible but being dispersed by waves
A 'light' oil sheen from the ship's initial capsize was being carried away by wind, waves.
Drizzle forecast for entire country, heavy showers in Auckland amid sudden 10C drop in temps
Polar jet stream pulls series of cold air surges across NZ today, Sunday, early next week.
Air Force plane to help stricken Manawanui crew suffers setback on first mission
The $100m ship ran aground on Saturday and 75 people were rescued before it sank.
Tui billboard referencing Polkinghorne's meth use, sex worker trysts sparks backlash
Some social media users say the brewery's ad is inappropriate.
Pig hunters report seeing missing Marokopa family, police and helicopters deployed
Two helicopters have been sweeping the Marokopa area today.
Census reveals a wealth of detail about New Zealand’s LGBTIQ+ community
This is the first census that has allowed diverse gender responses.
South Dunedin residents ‘encouraged’ to self-evacuate as flood waters rise
'Risk of flooding, slips are high. Follow the advice of local authorities' - MetService
‘Exceptional situation’: Dunedin residents warned of overnight downpour, asked to stay home
'Risk of flooding, slips are high. Follow the advice of local authorities' - MetService
Weather warnings across NZ: Severe thunderstorms, potential flash flooding and 80km/h gales
MetService issued a swathe of alerts for the South and North Islands.
33-hr drenching: Severe thunderstorms for upper North Island, snowstorms, downpours in south
Snowstorms are also forecast for parts of south. Severe weather alerts are out across NZ.
Intense downpours to hit NZ, warnings issued for upper north
Auckland has a cloudy Thursday forecast, but heavy rain is tipped for tomorrow.
'Danger is everywhere': Kiwi family stranded in war-torn Lebanon desperate to escape
The Dunedin parents are sheltering with their three children aged 8, 5 and 2.
'I get it, I'm wealthy': Luxon on media attention from $890k apartment sale
PM says he's not shy about his success and expects media to report details of his life.
Watch: 'F***ing sellout' - Oil and gas protesters shout in Shane Jones' face
He said protesters were 'being extreme', people gave govt mandate by voting.
'Bad start for holidays': Days of rain from midweek, MetService issues first warnings
Month's worth of rain to drench Bay of Plenty; snow forecast for south.
'One in a trillion': Trio brave shark-infested waters to land 155kg monster tuna
Cameron Ellin said he swam through possibly shark-infested waters to get the fish.
Homicide investigation launched after prisoner dies inside cell at Mt Eden
The inmate was found dead inside his cell just before 10am today.
Paul Henry explains why he's selling his 'fabulously expensive' Remuera mansion
The broadcaster says the home isn't for everybody: 'You're going to have to be rich.'
Downtown Akl park 'smells like poo': Council reveals possible cause of big stink
One passerby said the smell was so nauseating her head hurt and she felt dizzy.
Avalanche death: Victim named as Brett Evans, 38, remembered as 'loved friend'
It happened about midday yesterday near Mt Arrowsmith in Ashburton Lakes.
Severe stormy conditions to strike parts of NZ, what's in store for school holidays?
Temperatures are also due to plunge by 15C; bad weather will move north on Friday.
Pizza Hut pop-up review: Does the all-you-can-eat buffet live up to childhood memories?
OPINION: Pizza Hut is running its buffet and dine-in restaurant one last time in Auckland.
Pizza Hut's iconic all-you-can-eat buffet returns, here's a sneak peek
What's it like to dine in at Pizza Hut's all-you-can-eat buffet?
Can your boss force you back to the office? Employment experts' advice on WFH amid crackdown
What rights do employees have if their boss calls them back to the office?
Man allegedly steals $100k boat from Akl marina, tries returning it, gets arrested
When the man sailed back to the marina a group of boaties put him under citizen's arrest.