Tracy Neal is a courts and tribunals reporter based in Nelson for the New Zealand Herald. She works as a court reporter covering Nelson and Blenheim courts and tribunal decisions nationwide.
Tracy Neal is one of the Open Justice reporting team covering courts and justice for the New Zealand Herald, and its regional partner in Nelson-Marlborough, Top South Media. She began her career as a cadet reporter for the Nelson Evening Mail in the mid-1980s, did her OE, freelanced, worked as a travel writer for trade press in Auckland on her return to NZ, then returned to Nelson and her old desk back at the Mail. Tracy was RNZ's regional reporter in Nelson-Marlborough for six years, where she learned the fine art of cutting and compiling audio for radio. She also prepared court news from her patch for NZME's Newstalk ZB news network. Over the years Tracy has covered everything from this region, from crime to courts to local government, plus natural disasters and some large civil defence emergencies. You can contact Tracy at tracy.neal@nzme.co.nz.
Coroner finds ‘warning systems did not work’ after driver killed by runaway truck
He was crushed between his truck and another as the vehicle rolled down a hill.
'Deeply unwell': Inpatient threw boiling water in mental health worker's face
Derive McNeill has since thanked the man for working in the mental health sector.
'Sustained campaign of terror': Man created 'graphic and repulsive' porn to blackmail women
One victim says finding her images on 'disgusting' websites will haunt her forever.
Sparky's apology after tradie electrocuted 'too little, too late' for grieving partner
Builder Craig Johnston died after being electrocuted in 2020.
Judge criticises woman for doctoring bank statements used as evidence
The woman was trying to hide her true financial position during Family Court proceedings.
Nelson woman fined for taking more than 1000 cockles from traditional fishery reserve
Judge: 'If everyone did that, we would not have any cockles left in our country'.
Aggressive driver who caused serious crash told police to 'f*** off' when asked for blood sample
The 'horrendously bad driver' later assaulted his partner and bit a police officer.
Man died within two days of being sent home from hospital without oxygen
The much-loved husband and father was rushed back to hospital but died there.
Sister's heartbreak: Woman pleads for leniency after brother abused her children
Man's lawyer: “He is a victim himself and is now an abuser,”
From riches to rags: Man who banished wife from home ends up with a fraction of their fortune
She left the upmarket family home with little more than a bag of clothes and some cash.
‘It’s my fault’: Father’s anguish at son’s role in fatal Mongrel Mob intra-gang attack
Arana Huriwaka stabbed James Barton in the neck after a dispute over gang rules.
'Lecherous behaviour': Porn addiction leads to jail for farmer with child sex abuse videos
Matthew Harry Drummond is now behind bars for more than two years.
'It was the wind': Drunk truck driver's excuse for swerving all over the road
The driver, who stopped twice to urinate on the road, was nearly four times the limit.
Gym coach jailed for sexually abusing children admits he's 'now in the right place'
But, a judge says his refusal to identify some victims is relevant to gauging his remorse.
Disqualified driver stole disabled woman's car after she dropped keys during bank appointment
On another occasion Rory Herk was clocked doing 173 km/h on a motorbike.
Driver not at fault for crash caused by seizure – so who pays for man's damaged car?
The driver had insurance but they wouldn't pay up. Now it's gone to the Disputes Tribunal.
The nickname that enraged a gang member and left a man with a bullet in his chest
A chance meeting at a store led to a shooting, police hunt and three people being charged.
Lawyer decries Oranga Tamariki for children's lack of contact with parents
The children have barely had contact with their parents in six months.
'Go, go, go!' Mates film brutal slaying of wild stag after driver runs it down
The deer then had its throat cut in a 'gratuitous and violent act' that was posted online.
Fatherhood not enough to stop fisherman drink driving, despite final warning
Judge: 'You have recently served a sentence of home detention and it did not deter you.'
Woman banned from gas station sends young person in to buy goods with stolen card
Judge warns Jayme Lee Washbourne: 'Your fate is in your hands; prison is close'.
Justice Minister open to proposals as court delays impact families
One barrister says the court delays are hurting people.
Lawyer Sue Grey tearful at tribunal: 'I didn’t mean to breach name suppression'
It is alleged lawyer revealed the name of a child who had suppression in two interviews.
Tourist attacked by naked nihilist in 'ferocious' campground rampage
The victim was dragged from her bike and suffered severe injuries.
Air NZ worker on holiday sacked after using security card, bypassing Customs area
The woman argued it was a 'one-off mistake' and she should not have been fired.
Drunk driver walked away from crash scene while cousin lay trapped under van
The judge dealt with the RSE worker 'expediently' to avoid any burden on the NZ taxpayer.
Women's secret marriage ends with a court battle over $1m house and luxury car
The court found a 50/50 spilt of their property would be 'repugnant to justice'.
Couple buy first home together at mortgagee sale – but the old owner wouldn't leave
They spent $16,000 and four months evicting the previous owner who became a 'squatter'.
Screwed up notes and shredded paper: The clues that lead a counterfeit cash op being busted
Now a judge has described one of the women involved as a menace to the community.
Woman attacked sleeping friend for allegedly flirting with her boyfriend
Natasha Birchfield dragged the victim out of bed by the hair, then bit her arm and eyelid.
Woman who thought she was cancer-free now terminal after radiologist missed clues on scan
The error came to light when she questioned how her cancer could have spread so quickly.
Woman's knife attack on ex-husband's new lover leads to prison and fight to stay in NZ
Donglan Wu is serving five years but has avoided deportation on humanitarian grounds.
I bargained with God to save my daughter after sexual assault
Victim's mum told judge who was sentencing Kurt Balemi that he was a 'danger to society'.
Preventable death: Day on Wellington Harbour ended in tragedy for mates in new boat
Inexperienced skipper Kevin Hislop drowned after the runabout sank 400m from the shore.
'That was your undoing': How DNA from a Coke bottle led police to a violent offender
Nathan Lewis sent to jail for 10 years for man's assault, violent pub and KFC robberies.
'It won’t happen again': Fishermen caught breaking dolphin-friendly rules
The judge noted their money struggles but stressed the seriousness of fishing offences.
'I don't like it at all': Prison wake-up call for teen who stabbed woman outside pub
'I want you to reach 21 and live a good, pro-social life,' the judge told him.
Cannabis grower told police it was a shame he was caught as plants were "nearly ready"
Police found the plants after seeing light coming from an area with no obvious entrance.
A life shaped by crime: Desensitised burglar back behind bars
Judge says Edward Davis' remorse and regret 'may be aligned with apprehension'.
War between landlord and tenant escalates to power, water being cut
The dispute began over a sign the tenant had posted on her fence.
Family trust not enough to protect man from losing 'life's work' to ex
He was wrong to think his actions would safeguard home from any claim by a future partner.
'Suspension would devastate me': Teacher fights to keep job after criminal charges
The woman was discharged without conviction for serious misconduct.
'Gratuitous, excessive ... unjustified': Officers stomped on detainee lying face down
Two of the custody officers have since left and one pleaded guilty to common assault.
Teacher to 501 deportee: Man to be sent back to NZ after sexually molesting 10yo at campsite
Michael Hughes maintains he's innocent - despite Aussie court ruling.
Load of bull: Woman buys 'desexed' cattle beast which went on to impregnate cows
Tribunal says photos of 'MN' and his testicle were evidence he was not fully castrated.
'I’m not paying him an absolute penny': The dispute over an unpaid $14k bill
Raine Selles continues to baulk at money owed for her horse arena, despite a court order.
Busted: Inquisitive cleaner finds fake money operation in motel room
'It's offending that undermines our currency and this is a serious example of it.'
Suki's legacy: The dog attack that went all the way to the Court of Appeal
A new ruling has clarified the hazy laws around destruction orders for dogs that attack.
'Calculated torture': Mother forced to watch as son bashed with hammer
Torture ringleader Dylan Hemana says he had a 'Once Were Warriors' upbringing.
Retired woman left with one leg shorter after hip surgery, takes on ACC alone
'Her everyday life has been hard: physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially.'
Drunken sailor crashed car while drinking '8 or 9' beers on drive home from sea
He understood the seriousness of what he’d done and how he’d placed other drivers at risk.
Pharmac asked to consider stopping long-term subsidy of antibiotics after man’s death
No one warned the man of the risk of taking nitrofurontoin for more than six months.
Villagers win fight against prominent wine grower over controversial alpine subdivision
'We would have been looking at Coronation Street which is not why we chose to be here.'
'She had just turned 12': Victim sobs as offender avoids being tagged as child sex offender
Peter Currie claimed an indecent assault at a wedding dance 'happened accidentally'.
Backpacker manager posing as physio indecently assaulted tourists during ‘massages’
Fred Pino-Bustos told one of his victims he learned a new technique on YouTube.
'You are a monster:' Dad confronts man who sexually abused his daughter
"Hate is a strong word...but Patrick Hart, I hate you for everything you did".
Woman duped into handing over $7k after being told she'd won a prize on Facebook
The victim was told she had to pay $5000 into a bank account in order to claim her prize.
Surgery denied: Mum with painful endometriosis told she's too young for hysterectomy
The HDC has found the doctor was 'unduly influenced by his own views' regarding her care.
Tenants kept awake by cockroaches ‘scuttling across ceiling’ awarded $12k
The residents were paying $1300 per week to live in the house.
Nelson hostage situation: Man appears in court on kidnapping charges
Police from outside the region arrived in Nelson to help with the hostage situation.
'Ashamed': Travel agent used company money for gas, food and house cleaning
Lee Harris quit his job at Blue Marine after an investigation into unauthorised spending.
Man paid $80k for classic Ford – only to find it had Holden 'donor parts'
The 1956 Ford F100 was essentially two cars joined together.
Rapist's last words to victim: 'See, it wasn't that bad was it?'
Simon Harris, a collagen technician, denied the offending but was found guilty at trial.
'Extremely frightening day': Police justified in shooting man who opened fire during wild chase
IPCA finds David Fononga died after being shot by police in 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Remorse 'genuine': High Court removes man's name from child sex offender list
Kwan Loong Lee was caught trying to flee the country after a relationship with a 13yo.
Man loses name suppression bid over Snapchat of sex with underage girl
His father was worried about the humiliation that would follow his son being named.
Family kidnapped over $200k of missing meth, one tortured with pliers
The victim's toes were squeezed so hard with pliers, he feared they would 'pop off'.
Nelson teen sentenced after 14-year-old humiliated in social media livestream
The judge told Harrison Oliver he should be “thoroughly ashamed” of his behaviour.
‘I hope he haunts you’: He died chasing his stolen Merc, thief left him entombed
Allister Christie's body was found the next day, still trapped in his submerged car.
Man gave partner Valentine's Day slap, covered her mouth then pinned her down
'The common thread was his destructive use of methamphetamine.'
Homestead burned to the ground in 'revenge' blaze started by ex-partner
Hamish Ray hung his head and cried as the consequences of his actions sunk in.
Man refused alcohol threatens supermarket worker: 'Stab a knife in your fat gut'
He arrived dragging a road cone under his car and left without the alcohol he wanted.
'Failure in system' led to swab being left in woman after hysterectomy
But it remains unclear how the South Auckland surgical error happened.
Pantry was empty, kids were hungry - so woman stole $8k worth of grocery items
The Nelson woman's lawyer says she's trying to be a productive member of society now.
Leaky garage: 'Inaccurate' statement comes back to bite seller three years later
Former owner liable for $29k repair costs because of what he said when he owned it.
Man collected 1.2m child exploitation images over 20 years
'They were real victims and their suffering was recorded for the world to see.'
'I'll kill you:' Man attacks victims with a bike seat, later kills pet bunny
A few days later he threw a pet bunny against the wall, killing it instantly.
Former mayor confronts intruder, who had a nail gun, trying to 'claim' her house
'He was screaming and ranting at me, and I just thought, ‘I have to protect myself''.
Cancer, bankruptcy and a long legal battle: One estranged couple's fight for a family home
The man argued it wasn't relationship property because he had inherited the house.
Worker loses four fingers after his hand is caught in pizza dough machine
The Momma's Foods worker had to have his fingers amputated.