Tom Dillane is a reporter at the New Zealand Herald who covers Auckland Council, civic issues, crime, the media industry, and has dipped into several sports investigations.
Tom Dillane began as a reporter in the Herald’s Auckland newsroom in 2018. He writes about Auckland Council, civic issues, crime, the media industry and has dipped into several sports investigations. His reporting has helped expose inequalities in the Government’s Covid-19 border policies, misconduct within Cycling NZ surrounding the death of Olympian Olivia Podmore, and, failures in the emergency response to the Auckland Anniversary floods. He also reported from the field following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay. In 2023, Tom began in the role of Deputy Head of News - helping commission and curate the content of the NZ Herald paper and website. He is the winner of the 2021 Voyager Media Award for Best General Reporting and the runner-up in the 2022 Voyager Media Award for Best Individual Investigation. A native of Melbourne, Tom arrived in Auckland for his first job journalism in 2016 thinking he would stay for a year. The industry and New Zealand have always provided a fresh reason to stay. He graduated from the University of Melbourne with Arts and Science degrees and studied a graduate diploma of journalism at RMIT. You can contact Tom at tom.dillane@nzme.co.nz.
Podmore’s 10 episodes of heart arrhythmia an alarming sign of ‘distress’ before death - psychiatrist
A three-week inquest in Hamilton is investigating the Olympian's death in 2021 aged 24.
‘Grief… in retrospect’: Podmore requested health chats about teen abortion before death
A three-week inquest in Hamilton is investigating the Olympian's death in 2021 aged 24.
Cycling NZ lawyer denies ‘threat’ to Podmore in meeting over Tokyo Olympics snub
A three-week inquest in Hamilton is investigating the Olympian's death in 2021 aged 24.
‘I can’t recall’: Ex-Cycling NZ CEO blanks on meetings, chats about Podmore’s wellbeing
A three-week inquest in Hamilton is investigating the Olympian's death in 2021 aged 24.
Disgraced coach ‘berated’ Podmore on sex life, whispered ‘don’t f***ing crash’ at races
A three-week inquest in Hamilton is investigating the Olympian's death in 2021 aged 24.
Kiwi Olympic legend Eric Murray reveals Podmore’s ‘tipping point’ during Tokyo Games
A three-week inquest in Hamilton will investigate the Olympian's death in 2021 aged 24.
‘Keep your trap shut’: Podmore text-bullied after exposing athlete/coach relationship
A three-week inquest in Hamilton will investigate the Olympian's death in 2021 aged 24.
‘A lot of nervous people’: Olivia Podmore’s family expect harsh truths
A three-week inquest in Hamilton will investigate the Olympian's death in 2021 aged 24.
'It just feels very inclusive here': Pearl Jam's cathartic Auckland night after 10 years away
'These are times when you don’t take things for granted' – Eddie Vedder on band's NZ tour.
‘I hate working alone’: Thom Yorke defies his nature for stunning Auckland solo show
The Radiohead frontman has kicked off his first international solo tour in NZ.
Onehunga bus attack: Murder accused appears in court
A man handed himself into a police station yesterday after a 24-hour hunt.
The home invasion, the mental health facility on a wealthy road, and a community’s fear
On June 13, 2023, a man escaped from a mental health facility and invaded a home
'Your wife’s a lucky woman': Disturbing allegations mount against former NZ Police doctor
16 former police recruits have now raised concerns about the retired GP’s examinations.
Auckland socialite Pebbles Hooper convicted over posting sex video to OnlyFans
She was found guilty after a judge-alone trial last year.
Embassy staffer says NZ Govt ‘failed’ after Korean diplomat convicted of sexually assaulting him
The staffer told the Herald the 2017 assault left him with PTSD and unable to work.
‘It's ended his career’: SeaLink charged after diver dragged into ferry propeller
Michal Kováč was critically injured after he was pulled under a ferry in May 2023.
'Robbed me from ever being normal': Man jailed for shooting young father in head
The gunman shot a stranger at a New Lynn petrol station after they exchanged words.
Couple dubbed NZ’s worst shoplifters get reduced sentence after ‘tragic’ death of children
The couple have been jailed after stealing more than $300,000 worth of goods.
‘Annoys people a lot’: Harsh edit of AT press release by mayor's office forces CEO apology
Mayor's office: AT should not connect new parking charges with $40m of revenue-raising.
'It will be a hard watch': Olivia Podmore’s family reflect on cyclist's death as Olympics begin
Olivia Podmore died a day after the Tokyo Olympics ended. A coronial inquiry now awaits.
‘Parents are hurting’: Kiwi and Aus families fight to recoup $22m owed by Nasa tour company
Actura owes millions to NZ and Aussie families sent into debt to fund axed student tours.
Police investigating after OT staff's alleged ‘room visits’ to assault children, and ‘inappropriate relationships’
Serious concerns about OT staff practices and a lack of stable leadership.
Back to business for King's Birthday Honours 2024
A change in Government has meant a clear shift in focus for the 2024 list.
‘Pouring money down a hole’: Extra $1b for roads dumbfounds Greens, transport expert
The Govt is moving to 'accelerate' an already $20.7b road-focused fund.
'Needed': Mayor and deputy’s relief at $200m-plus lifeline for Auckland rail
$266.9m was announced to maintain metro rail in Auckland and Wellington in Budget 2024.
'Exploited for political reasons': Mayor's angst at Auckland councillors' ‘personal trips’ to Taiwan
The "personal study trips" were funded by the Taiwanese Govt and weren't official.
Inside Auckland’s train month of hell: Former transport boss's ‘incredulous’ texts to Mayor's office, AT exec confusion
'KiwiRail IT can just login to safety critical signaling system, and muck around.'
The stress free fun of careening down a 2400m mountain in the luxe Snowmass Village
Who knew stress relief could be found on the hairpin bend of a Colorado mountain?
Mosques across NZ asked to take security precautions after Sydney stabbings
An email to 94 mosques across NZ was sent this morning.
The experience that is US domestic air travel: Houston to Aspen with United Airlines
'The chap next to me did not seem overly excited by the trip.'
'Drastic and innovative': Michael Morrah sheds light on rejected plan to save Newshub
The Newshub reporter said negotiations continue for other rescue efforts.
'Do less, pay less': Mayor Brown weighs into poll on his proposed 7.5% rates rise
A new poll has broken down how Aucklanders feel about 2024's looming rates rise.
‘I did not shed a tear’: Mayor Brown lays into former council CEO over recruitment splurge
211 staff on salaries above $150k were recruited as a $375m budget hole was being filled.
‘Fools in AT’: Mayor’s blunt email to AT CEO on raised crossings
Mayor Wayne Brown shared the frustrations of firefighters on raised crossings.
‘Difference between life and death’: Firefighters raise alarm on speed humps slowing crews
A 66-page Fenz report into AT traffic calming's impact on response time has been obtained.
The civility of the ‘beastly’ Snowmass Rodeo: Cowgirls for the night vs cowgirls for life
Yeehaw: People watching the Colorado rodeo are as intriguing as the feats in the arena.
‘I f***ing love you’ - Queens of the Stone Age pump out profanity, heartbreak, and a Hollywood star in Auckland
Tom Dillane witnesses the best live rock band in the world by far.
Journalist Michael Morrah reveals plan to save Newshub
'We’ve got to give it a crack, right? We could save part of the newsroom.'
‘He just played God’: The police medical officer whose examinations torment recruits 20 yrs on
Dr Z allegedly sexually assaulted police recruits over two decades. Two finally speak out.
$228m without a metre of track, now Auckland Light Rail disestablishment to cost millions more
A Cabinet paper has revealed it will take six months to wrap up Auckland Light Rail Ltd.
'You don’t mark your own homework': Auckland Council and mayor under fire over flood review snub
Former police commissioner Mike Bush has not been invited back to review his flood report.
The inside story of Mayor Brown's office the night of the Auckland Anniversary floods
"If no one told you, would you know there was a war in Ukraine?” asks Mayor Brown.
‘Milestone of sorts’: Consolation and anger as major Auckland CBD street reopens
'We begged for them to give us a loading zone, but they didn’t budge.'
Mayor irate at Auckland Council’s $7.4m recruiting spend during hiring freeze
Brown’s anger with the recruitment spend comes as council has filled a $375m budget hole.
Students opt for ‘rigorous’ Cambridge curriculum over NCEA uncertainty
The international Cambridge exams have registered a 6 per cent increase in 2023 in NZ.
‘Chickens coming home to roost’: Rates rises, axed cycle lanes in Mayor Brown's 10-year budget
'The decisions of the past have determined our current budgetary woes.'
'It's pretty dumb': CRL boss on why there's 'no way' he'll guarantee a finish date
A completion date of mid-2026 is not guaranteed, according to City Rail Link execs.
The $5m cost of Parliament’s 3 overhang MPs - and how only 29% is salary
"It is the system we’ve got and sometimes democracy is expensive".
The Labour Minister who lost by 4 votes and the seat with ‘bigger than Jacinda’ margin
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has already indicated the party will be seeking a recount.
‘Incredibly frustrating’: How a $1m Queen St pedestrianisation project ballooned to $12m
'We could do a lot more ... without having to do massive infrastructure,' Swarbrick said.
‘We were bleeding money’: Howick RSA may lose clubrooms after $4-6m sale
The $4-6m sale is the second RSA in weeks that has been bought for redevelopment.
'Complete shambles’: Point Chev RSA to lose clubhouse after multimillion-dollar sale
Members lament plans for new clubrooms falling down after deal with Foodstuffs.
'Powered-up': Auckland property market rising after 18-month slump
Three data reports in a week conclude a recovery in house prices has arrived.
Why visit the Aspen in summer? The snow melts to reveal a diverse cultural underbelly
It’s a well worn saying in Aspen that the locals either have three houses or three jobs.
‘Massive hole in our universe’: Woman, 62, sentenced over lawyer's tragic death
Telise Martin, 31, was killed by a car on her way to the courtroom in April.
‘Go back, go hard’: Deputy mayor on tough negotiations with Govt over $2b flood buyout
"Little to be positive about” in the Govt's terms a week ago, according to deputy mayor.
‘Adamant there is no issue’: New Auckland Unlimited chair denies perceived stadiums conflict
Council has bailed Eden Park out to the tune of tens of millions of dollars over the years
Dead in her car for up to 12 days: Pensioner had ‘access to funds’, mental health issues - coroner
Helena Wakefield, 72, was eligible for $870 a week pension but did not claim it.
'Fit and healthy' man died holding his breath in pool
Ant Clausen's family found him at the bottom of an Auckland pool while on holiday from UK.
Arrest warrant next step for bail 'absconding' Mongols associate arrested in $5.9m Remuera mansion with firearms
The 32-year-old failed to show up for sentencing in Auckland District Court today.
‘It hasn’t got easier’: Father of flood victim watched final moments before son's death
Daniel Mark Miller's body was found in a culvert in Wairau Valley.
Mayor Wayne Brown’s $300k bill with top law firm
It can be revealed some of the legal advice was on the damning Auckland flood review.
'Miracle he survived': Wife speaks after diver dragged into ferry propeller
The diver recalls being yanked underwater by his umbilical cable before blacking out.
‘Taking eye off the ball’: Brown hits out at past cuts to emergency response budget
Wayne Brown is angry about the historical cuts as a 1% rates bump is proposed to refund.
'I should sue you': Leo Molloy hits out after US company wrongly suspects him of involvement in child sex assault case
Outspoken Auckland businessman Leo Molloy was one of three Kiwis wrongly approached.
'Heartbreaking': Lawyer killed by car remembered by top school as ‘exceptional young woman’
No charges have been laid over the crash which killed Telise Martin.
Auckland Council CEO left work to go home during peak of response to fatal floods
Outgoing CEO Jim Stabback admitted 'with hindsight' he would have stayed in his office.
'System failure': Damning Auckland flood review finds lack of leadership by mayor, council
“This unprecedented event unfolded with extraordinary speed. Minutes mattered."
'Minutes mattered': Mayor, council response to Auckland floods criticised in review
The report was commissioned by Mayor Wayne Brown.
Auckland fatal flood review out: Council requested release ‘extensions’
It can be revealed Auckland Council has been behind some of the 'extensions'.
Revealed: Inside Waka Kotahi on the night of Auckland’s floods
"The problem is our social media game is normally so strong."
Exclusive: Mayor Brown seeks feedback on $36m cut to arts spending: ‘No decisions have been made yet’
The Herald can reveal Auckland Council's total spend on the arts according to Mayor Brown.
Inside Wayne Brown’s flood review: Staff interrogated in 'minute detail', no call to minister
Former police commissioner Mike Bush is conducting the review. Who has he called?
Road cones 'annoying', causing road rage - Mayor Wayne Brown on his cone crackdown
Auckland Council spends at least $145m on temporary traffic management each year.
Road cone war: Brown seeks to slash $145m spend on AT traffic management
The mayor says roadworks take too long and are too disruptive.
Firefighters fuming over chief's 'communication fails' to mayor in Auckland floods
Wayne Brown's review into the fatal Auckland floods was this week delayed.
Backlash forces Auckland Council to keep cordons fending off looters
Muriwai residents were outraged at the decision to lift cordons for red-stickered houses.
Wayne Brown used a private mobile during floods; council expects access
Brown made 8 calls on his council phone in 48 hours. But a personal phone also exists.
‘A loving father’ - Hawke’s Bay man killed in bridge collapse ‘key provider’ for 3-year-old son
The farmer's truck was swept away in floodwaters after driving over a collapsed bridge.