Sam Sherwood is a Senior Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, with a focus on crime.
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.
‘Not fit-for-purpose’: Damning report on police's stalking risk assessment following murder
The AUT law student went to police with concerns eight weeks before she was killed.
St John apologises 'unreservedly' after woman dies waiting for ambulance
Margaret Wells' daughter says her mother was not given a chance to survive.
Family's anger: Elderly woman died after 70-minute wait for ambulance
The coroner says the circumstances around her death are 'deeply troubling'.
King Cobras attack: Senior member found guilty
One of the victims suffered a fractured skull in the alleged attack outside a gay bar.
King Cobras attack: Man whose skull was fractured outside gay bar has no memory of assault
One of the victims suffered a fractured skull in the alleged attack outside a gay bar.
Tākaka man Peter Miller’s death not suspicious, police say
His body was found after his family raised concerns they hadn't heard from him.
Inside Cowboy Paradise: 'The lost city of the Wild West' and the underground cannabis bunker
Beneath a shipping container on a 700ha property was a sophisticated cannabis operation.
Pilot injured after Canterbury microlight plane crash, emergency services rush to scene
The person was able to remove themselves from the aircraft.
'Highly-accomplished' pool player Chris Bowman killed in crash
Chris Bowman's family are 'devastated' by his death, his brother says.
Father pleads guilty to dangerous driving causing deaths of two of his children
A third child and the man's wife were critically injured in Hororata crash.
Baby Ru ‘person of interest’ allegedly involved in attack on journalist
The reporter's stolen bank card was allegedly used to purchase $500 worth of alcohol.
Court security workplace culture ‘toxic and sad’, leaked report says
The culture is so bad staff are "pulling sickies" as they hate being at work.
Government makes new pay offer to police
It comes after police rejected their last offer which was labelled 'insulting'.
No body, no gun: Killer David Benbow claims 'miscarriage of justice'
Former prison guard was found guilty of murdering his childhood friend Michael McGrath.
Convicted killer of Christchurch teen appears before Parole Board
Connor Whitehead, 16, was shot dead at a party in Christchurch in 2021.
Man whose body was found in sinkhole identified, family pay tribute
His body was found after his family raised concerns they hadn't heard from him.
Family of man who fell down sinkhole 'totally devastated'; police probe ‘unexplained’ death
His body was found after his family raised concerns they hadn't heard from him.
No body, no gun: Killer David Benbow appeals conviction and sentence
David Benbow was found guilty of murdering his childhood friend Michael McGrath.
Coroner dismisses 'heartbroken' parents' suspicion car fall victim was pushed
Nicole Morris died of a head injury after falling from a car seven years ago.
Police announce $100k reward in unsolved disappearance
Police are focusing their investigation on a small group as part of the cold case.
Mum of man fatally stabbed by partner speaks of 'horrible' loss
Kia-ara Richardson has been found guilty of killing her partner more than four years ago.
How will ex-prison guard David Benbow be managed behind bars?
The former prison guard was jailed for life for murdering his childhood friend.
Catching a killer with no body and no murder weapon: Inside Operation Renovation
The inside story of how police investigated the killing of Michael McGrath.
No body, no gun: Killer David Benbow jailed for life
David Benbow's ex-partner told him she 'despises' him as he's jailed for life.
Illegal gold mining? West Coaster denies $200k gold charges
The Crown says Peter Morrison was trying to extract as much gold as he could.
The killer and I: My texts with a man suspected of murdering his childhood friend
The series of texts that led a reporter to being a witness at a murder trial.
'Ongoing risk': Preventive detention for serial sex offender who abused boy in public toilets
David Morgan has more than 40 convictions for sexual offending spanning decades.
Gay bashers: Men lured on dating apps to parks and brutally attacked by youths
One man bravely speaks to about harrowing ordeal that's left him traumatised.
House bus fire that killed Chinese national deemed 'not suspicious'
Police confirmed the victim of the blaze was 46-year-old Chinese national Jirong Wang.
Police officer allegedly sent sexually explicit messages to underage girl on Instagram
Police say the man is no longer an employee.
Chinese national killed in West Coast house bus fire
A Chinese national was killed in the blaze.
Christchurch far-right activist sentenced for possessing a prohibited firearm
The former leader of a white nationalist group says he's stepping back from activism.
'Suspicious activity': Police speak to two people seen on walking track before Port Hills fire
Police have spoken to them - and others in the area - as part of a major probe.
'Significant health hazards’ may force police stations to be closed nationwide
At one station, staff know it's raining when water comes out of sockets in the walls.
Behind the Port Hills lines: Inside the cordon as crews battle ‘grunty’ blaze
The Herald visits the fire field and a property inside the official cordon.
'Whole life' lost as container home destroyed in Port Hills fires
Anna Spark speaks about her escape and loss.
Dwelling destroyed in Port Hills fire; blaze still not contained
'It seems to be a fast-moving thing,' Fenz tells evacuated Christchurch residents.
How did the Port Hills fire start?
An investigation is under way to determine what caused the massive blaze.
'Completely devastated': Port Hills fire hits Adventure Park
The park was at the centre of the 2017 fires.
Couple who lost home in 2017 fire evacuated again weeks after moving back
Doug and Vikki Pflaum took seven years to rebuild their home following the 2017 fires.
Port Hills fire: Helicopters grounded for night; blaze still burns
"It seems to be a fast-moving thing," Fenz tells evacuated Christchurch residents.
Singer of top Kiwi band pleads guilty to refusing blood test
The Feelers lead singer has pleaded guilty to refusing a blood test.
'Horror movie': Irish farm worker who lost arm in NZ accident wins $6m court battle
But Kiwi farm boss says he will review Irish judgment; claims worker accepted fault.
Chummy texts between top cop Andrew Coster and new police minister revealed
National's tough-on-crime stance had the Police Commissioner's job in the spotlight.
King Cobras gang members plead guilty to vicious attack outside gay bar
One of the victims suffered a fractured skull in the attack outside a gay bar.
New details revealed in Baby Ru case, police still seeking the truth
It's been more than three months since Baby Ru suffered fatal blunt force trauma.
Helensville homicide: Three more men charged with murder of Samuel Curle
Curle, 36, was found injured near the highway and died 20 days later.
Christchurch homicide: Alleged killer keeps name secret for now
The 38-year-old was found dead on a Christchurch street.
Mother’s heartbreak: Sheet near heater ignited house fire that killed two kids
An 8-year-old boy and his 8-month-old sister died in the fire.
The drive-by shooting at Mongols pad that led to discovery of guns, cash and drugs
The gang's president and sergeant in arms have pleaded guilty after a bust at the pad.
Christchurch homicide probe: Police search Avon River for gun
The 38-year-old was found dead on a Christchurch street.
'An angel of light': Widower pays tribute to mother killed in double-fatal crash
The mother's baby survived the crash completely uninjured.
'Beautiful wife and loving mum': Mother killed, baby survives double fatal crash
The mother's baby survived the crash completely uninjured.
Firefighters probe whether blaze which destroyed two homes linked to rubbish fire
The owners of the property says they're working with fire investigators.
Baby survives double-fatal crash
Both drivers, a man and a woman, died following the crash.
Woman dies at Wellington Central Police Station
Police say the woman was taken into custody on outstanding warrants for arrest.
Police make arrest over Christchurch father's killing
The 38-year-old was found dead on a Christchurch street three weeks ago.
One-armed hitchhiker killer used online dating sites to contact women while on parole
Shane Hoko was kicked out of an accomodation provider for not following its rules.
15-year-old charged following fatal Canterbury crash
Christchurch woman Sandra Loveday was killed in the August smash.
Man charged with causing death of school librarian following crash
The woman and her husband were two of six people involved in Sunday's crash.
'How can they sleep at night?': Baby Ru's family searching for answers nearly three months on
Baby Ru's family saved a spot for him at the table for their first Christmas without him.
Man allegedly set fire to property and critically injured one person
Two people were injured following the blaze on Sunday.
Off-duty police recruit quits amid investigation into indecently assaulting fellow recruits
A police investigation found there was sufficient evidence to charge the recruit.
Suspicious house fire leaves three people badly injured and one in custody
Emergency services were alerted to a suspicious house fire near Waimate.
Infamous conman Wayne Eaglesome on his life of crime and faking his own death
Not even Wayne Eaglesome knows how many aliases he has - 'I dare not hazard a guess.'
18 months of silence: Grieving husband's anger after violent patient murders wife
Laisa Waka was murdered by a stranger as she walked home from work.
Double tragedy: Father and grandmother killed in horrific crash
Young children were also injured in the two-car collision on SH1 north of Christchurch.
'I’m a rock and roll star': Lead singer of top Kiwi band in court amid reunion tour
The Feelers lead singer allegedly failed to stop for police and refused a blood test.
Police say nature of homicide victim's injuries unconfirmed
The 38-year-old father was found dead on a Christchurch street last week.
Police continuing to hunt killer of Christchurch man
The 38-year-old father was found dead on a Christchurch street last week.
'Too late to brake': Crash that left four dead likely caused by missed stop sign
The group was en route to the Gold Guitar Awards at the time of the quadruple fatal crash.
'Devastated': Homicide victim's family torn apart while police hunt killer
The 38-year-old father was found dead on a Christchurch street three days ago.
Christchurch homicide: Police seeking sightings of car in connection to 38-year-old's death
The 38-year-old father was found dead on a street in Aranui.
Christchurch father named as homicide victim
The 38-year-old father was found dead on a street in Aranui.
Police search for clues, sightings of white Toyota, in Christchurch homicide
A 38-year-old man was found dead on a street in Aranui.
Christchurch police looking for white Toyota as part of homicide investigation
A 38-year-old man was found dead in Aranui this morning.
Convicted killer of Christchurch teen declined parole
Connor Whitehead, 16, was shot dead at a party in Christchurch in 2021.
Drug-trafficking ring allegedly imported meth, cocaine in ready-to-eat meals to NZ
Drugs arrived in instant noodle packets, car parts and emergency kits.