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.
'The cruellest injustice': Abuser jailed but victim will never be free of the damage he caused
The victim was lured into a game of hide-and-seek that ended her childhood.
‘Sorry my darling’: Businessman jailed for child abuse material
The 'good, hard-working family man' was found with 2077 child abuse images.
‘Gummy smile’: Lip filler ordeal leaves woman with smile she ‘hates’
A nurse failed to recognise and act on signs of a condition known as vascular occlusion.
Gasfitter disciplined for installing a gas cooker in a bedroom, risking poisoning occupants
An authority deemed the seriousness of the gasfitter's offending as 'very high'.
Mother remembered for her 'infectious laugh' murdered by son in her home
Jennifer Sheehan's family said they couldn't comprehend what had happened.
Mental health nurse’s 46-year career ends with ruling he was sexually intimate with patient
But William McPhail says he will never agree with the patient’s account.
Man travelled on fake passports between NZ, Australia and Fiji for three years
The passports contained his photo but the details of someone else.
Ex-Rebels member who killed a man, stabbed another, paroled after 2.5 years
George Pikaahu killed the RSE worker in a mass brawl involving about 50 people.
'You lined her up': Kiwi who inflicted savage blows on partner booted out of Australia
Authorities considered Kyle Walters a serious risk to the Australian community.
'Wake-up call': Grandfather thrown from car in drunken crash
Lyall Foster was found down a bank with empty and full beer cans in his vehicle.
‘Sloppy’: Lawyer fined over name slip in high-profile case
Sue Grey was being interviewed when she revealed too much information about a baby.
Rural homebirth: Midwife returns to tragedy after popping out for lunch
The baby was pronounced stillborn after resuscitation attempts failed.
‘I’m done’: Artist loses battle over copyright in landmark case with her ex
Court rules she retain sole legal ownership, but copyright must be shared with ex-husband.
'Cavalier' fisherman fined $34k after failures onboard vessel during kina operation
He ignored warnings to fix the GPR device, which meant his boat was 'invisible'.
Pensioner celebrates b'day with a court appearance for drink driving
Now he plans to move to Thailand permanently after cashing in his Kiwisaver.
‘Battered and bullied’: Ex-council boss ends five-year pool battle with council
Couple reached a confidential agreement days before a Supreme Court hearing.
Teen left wheelchair-bound by rare condition after food poisoning battles ACC for cover
His family argued earlier treatment might have improved his condition.
Wrong way: Tourist wins refund despite crashing rental car minutes after leaving depot
The tourist was seen driving on a roundabout on the wrong side of the road.
Killer Beez secretary wants to swap life of crime for jewellery making
$35,000 cash and two Harley-Davidsons were seized from Stenton Wilde's home.
‘Entirely avoidable’: Farmer jailed over severe animal neglect
Inspectors found 24 dead lambs and euthanised three more on one of his properties.
‘Love lost in violence’: Woman speaks of fear and betrayal after being raped by partner
'He wanted sex so took it anyway. In that sense, there was particular cruelty.'
Rights ‘breached’: Animal abuser says conviction goes against her Māori worldview
Lai Toy argued her rights under the Treaty were breached by the disqualification.
No boarding pass: Couple not allowed to fly, despite having already checked in online
They had to spend $1200 on new flights, a night's accommodation, and meals.
One man’s $300k mission to restore decaying yacht involved in tragic race
'My memory of that yacht is spending all our holidays on her'.
Man denies murdering Nelson police officer Lyn Fleming
In court this morning, man admits driving charges.
Wife killer reveals why he abandoned 3yo daughter 'Pumpkin' overseas
Nai Yin Xue's daughter was dubbed 'Pumpkin' after being found in Pumpkin Patch clothing.
‘Hugely traumatising’: Nurse stole $59k from vulnerable rest home volunteer
Tracy Peterson said she was 'deeply remorseful' but disagreed the man did not know.
Inappropriate messages and home visits: Osteo leaves NZ amid indecent assault claims
The osteopath sent texts with flower emojis and discussed sexual topics.
How a midwife escaped an African prison, crossed deserts and seas to find refuge in NZ
He was accused of helping a female prisoner escape hospital moments after she gave birth.
Man with ‘deviant’ interest in children fails to overturn jail sentence he has already served
He was automatically registered as a sex offender but argued the conditions were onerous.
15% seismic rating: Nelson courthouse closure sparks urgent relocation
Efforts are under way to find an alternative venue for court proceedings.
Elder’s 38-year battle for justice: Resolution sought within lifetime
The Crown is appealing a compensation ruling for customary landowners in the South Island.
Man accused of murdering Nelson police officer appears in court; keeps name secret
The man appeared via video link at the High Court link this morning.
‘You probably think I’m a weirdo’: Sex offender lured schoolgirl with Easter eggs
Man jailed for indecently assaulting two girls on their way to school.
‘I never meant any harm, I won't do it again’: Burglar’s impassioned apology
Judge's challenge: 'If you can’t (change) for yourself, then do it for your kids.'
‘Gratuitous and violent act’: Teen claims he slit stag’s throat to ‘end its suffering’
His mate deliberately struck the deer with a ute, an act that was posted to social media.
Chef caught with knife, rolling pin, stun gun says he was off to cut potatoes
The man said he didn't know how to use the Taser and was 'just being a dick' having it.
SPCA to pay $29,000 after flawed dismissal of volunteer coordinator
The ERA ruled the dismissal process was unfair and disproportionate.
‘If you come in, this place will be gone’: Woman held hostage for 15 hours
Phillip Mant was furious with the outcome of an earlier court matter.
Disqualified driver in court after making pizza run in mum’s car
'The public needs to be protected from your poor driving' - Judge Richard Russell
'Sieg heil': The strange arrest of a nunchuck-wielding barking teen
Police stopped a car for not having its headlights on but discovered much more.
Driver quit seizure medication for extreme soup diet, passed out and caused $28k crash
The man was living off two portions of soup per week and taking weight-loss meds.
Licence lost: Elderly man fights doctor's claim he's not fit to drive anymore
The man had dementia and a condition that put him at risk of falling asleep in the day.
Fatal fire: Elderly artist’s remains found beside favourite chair
The fire started with embers falling from the fireplace, but there were no smoke alarms.
Pub pool game ends with man smashing opponent around the head with cue
He struck one victim with a cue four times and punched another outside the bar.
Prolific thief gives staff thumbs up as he lifts bottle of whisky, stuffs $189 of lamb in jacket
A judge has said Nelson needs a break from James Weir's antics.
‘So many secrets': Ex-deputy principal jailed for sexual relationship with student
The offences occurred in the early 2000s when Iain Anderson was at Tapawera Area School.
Woman declined ACC referral sends psychologist 69 threatening texts in one hour
She told him she hoped he would get cancer and that his house burned down.
‘Appalling’: Grazing firm fined $48k after hundreds of cows left to wallow in mud
Two workers resigned after being told to return the cows to muddy paddocks.
Supermarket ‘grab-and-run’: Woman fears shopping alone after carpark attack
George Sampson stole her bag then spent $1609 in an hour using one of her bank cards.
Doctor faulted following woman’s death days after Covid vaccination
A GP at an urgent care clinic failed to provide the unwell woman with appropriate care.
A rock and a hard place: Jailed quarry worker loses job after unexplained absence
His partner tried to inform the company, but the details were unclear.
'I was a mess': Sisters reveal what it's really like to confront sex abuser in court
'I’ve grown my wings... like I'm free and I feel really good that it’s all now out there.'
‘Furious and violent’: Masseuse assaulted in motel after refusing refund
Judge calls attack 'sustained and gratuitous' over money dispute.
From legal battle to baby joy at 52: Couple who took on GJ Gardner can now move on
'The cloud's lifted. It's the first step in moving on', says Mark Chamberlain.
Dad disabled car to stop son's 'illegal' driving, sparking costly repair dispute
The vehicle was damaged while later being towed and an $11k claim by the owner followed.
'Sexual discrimination': One woman's battle for rights within a Muslim community
Shama Nisha says her human rights victory has paved the way for Muslim women in NZ.
'It was gangsta': Drugged woman drove car through sleeping couple's home
She narrowly missed the sleeping elderly couple's bedroom and cannot pay for the damage.
'High risk': Judge's skepticism as gang member claims desire to change
Defence lawyer: 'He’s spent much of his life acting out and pretending to be tough'.
Why a judge rejected mental impairment claims in sex offender's sentencing
Victims seek apology; Judge says harm caused to children is 'extraordinary'.
Estranged daughter awarded $372k after being cut from mother's will
The mother updated her will stipulating she was to be left nothing due to her 'behaviour'.
'Physically ill': SPCA chief's horror at neglected pet dog's suffering
Young dog Grimlock had to be euthanised.
Son revealed as murder-accused of woman found dead in her home
Jennifer Sheehan's family were left 'shocked and utterly lost for words' after her death.
'Imperative to survival': Lifejacket call after kayaker's death during fishing trip
His body was found a week later, 60km from where he left in his kayak.
'I’ve never seen one that big': Judge shocked at cow's untreated cancer
Judge criticises owner for not seeking vet help; 'The cow suffered significant pain.'
Family hide camera in elderly man's room, see rest home carers abusing him
Hidden camera footage exposes abuse at Ōamaru care facility.
Luxury estate couple taken to court for refusing to pay levies over unmowed lawn, weeds
The judge likened it to not paying rates because the potholes had not been fixed.
'Horrid rotten egg smell:' Authorities followed their noses to find black gunk seeping into streams
Three people complained of the black substance that smelled like rotten egg.
Massage therapist tells woman to lose weight, surgically alter her height
Other women complained he was sexist and racist and wouldn't stop when asked.
‘She wants them back’: Cannabis grower pleads for police to return mum's pots
'My mother asked me to ask if I could get them back. She will get upset otherwise'.
'Easy money': Woman stole $7k from grandmother, then used pushchair in shoplifting spree
Grandmother is said to be 'very cross' about what happened.
Sue Grey guilty of unsatisfactory conduct for 'sloppy' use of a suppressed child's name
The baby was at the centre of a stand-off over the use of vaccinated people’s blood.
‘Demonic acts’: Family's torment revealed as victims face their abusive father
'Only a person who has sold their soul could commit such heinous crimes' - victim.
Tourists traumatised as angry driver chases 50-seater bus believing it damaged his parked car
Bus driven in loops through suburban streets to try to shake Ryan Mills off the chase.
Terror lingers in couple threatened with machete during burglary
The attack in an isolated area has affected their sense of safety at home.
Missed scan signs lead to death of newborn, lung removal for another baby
Missed diagnoses involving two babies had 'profound impact' on the families involved.
Online predator's 'sustained campaign of terror' ended by one small mistake, police say
Police: 'It took nearly two years to charge Cottam and get justice for his victims.'
Shattered: Victim's intimate images shared on social media
Tamara Mati's lawyer argued she covered the most explicit parts with pumpkin emojis.
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.