Varsha Anjali is an Auckland-based multimedia journalist at the New Zealand Herald, specialising in travel.
Varsha Anjali started her role as a journalist at the New Zealand Herald in 2024, covering travel news, destinations and tourism. She is also a keen consumer of the arts and has reported on theatre and culture. Varsha completed a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Spanish at the University of Auckland. Before joining the Herald, she was working in communications in London. She can be contacted at varsha.anjali@nzme.co.nz.

‘Wouldn’t be where I am today without NZ’: Broke Boy Taco opens new store
He was once homeless in the US. Now his food is a Kiwi cult favourite.

PM auctions off ‘fashion crime’ T-shirt after getting roasted online
Christopher Luxon was ridiculed for his fashion choices by menswear guru Derek Guy.

‘Buckle up’: Tāmati Coffey and husband expecting another baby
The couple and surrogate mother are committed to sharing the journey online.

MAFS ep 4 recap: ‘Petite, blonde’ - Groom brutally criticises wife’s looks
OPINION: Nice Guy Tim assumes the liberty to tell his wife what he thinks of her looks.

Move over Fiji: Why more Kiwis are choosing this island destination for their holidays
A record number of Kiwis visited the island paradise in 2024.

Air NZ flights to Seoul to end
The airline said there are ongoing challenges with engine availability.

‘We need to humanise the role’: Ardern doco wins award at Sundance
'There’s a very rare opportunity ... to share what it looks to be in leadership.'

‘Wasn’t that difficult’: Man attempts world record at Auckland Airport
'It was just a bit of a laugh over a long weekend,' Robinson said.

Wind shear forces Air New Zealand flight to divert to Hamilton
Air NZ confirmed no other services are impacted.

Jetstar announces huge sale on domestic flights - and it ends tonight
The Friday Fare Frenzy ends at 8pm tonight.

‘Horrified’: Duped Kiwi couple book hotel for Xmas holiday, end up at a mall
'I was horrified that this happened to us and of all days on Christmas Eve'

US traveller ‘shocked’ at hearing derogatory word in NZ
'Does that make me want to move here? Absolutely not.'

Kiwis in Tibet urged to register online following deadly quake
MFAT urges Kiwis currently overseas to register on SafeTravel following quake in Tibet.

Air NZ launches sale on international and domestic fares
It's one of the airline's biggest-ever sales.

Are you adventurous or just running away from problems?
I became suspicious of everyone's motivations for long-term travel.

Blake Lively sues It Ends With Us director
She has accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation.

The top 5 Christmas songs for 2024
From guilty pleasures and delicious classics to modern bangers.

Varsha Anjali: What's so bad about Auckland, anyway?
OPINION: As hordes leave Auckland for the holidays, is the city as bad as some say?

'Don't ever do that': Hilary Barry reveals alarming hotel toilet moment with mystery man
She went to the loo thinking she was alone. She wasn't.

Air NZ reveals busiest travel day, most popular summer holiday spots
Which destinations are luring Kiwis the most this summer?

Christmas wrapper: Air New Zealand reveals new festive lolly
'The new flavour tastes just like a Christmas candy cane.'

Cruise line bans upside-down pineapples as swingers seek meet-ups
Company announces ban on door decorations with hidden meaning.

Airline refuses refund after doctor gives up business class seat for sick passenger
'You should not even have to ask,' commented a social media user.

Watch: Fan who 'woke from coma' to Coldplay songs joins band on Auckland stage
Magic moment: A fan enjoyed a special stage appearance last night.

We go behind the scenes of the LOTR musical and meet the team behind the magic
Why did Paul Hart’s revival in Chicago succeed - and will it do so again in Auckland?

Passenger's apparent attempt to open emergency exit door during flight
Korean Air: "Zero-tolerance for safety threats"; passenger restrained, flight lands.

Does Air New Zealand stock emergency period products?
A Herald investigation reveals what airlines provide menstrual products for travellers.

'Gobsmacked': Cockroaches on planes delay passengers for hours
'How did the cockroaches get on there?'

Australian taxpayers may have to pay accused killer cop’s legal bill
Beau Lamarre-Condon is expected to enter pleas on Monday.

'Vicious': Passenger beats sleeping man on flight to Washington DC
The US man is now facing criminal charges.

5 haunted places in NZ you can actually visit
Aotearoa has several scary haunts. Whether you should check them out is another question.

'Like horror movie': Passenger killed after 9m waves hit cruise ship, more than 100 injured
'It was like a horror movie outside with the waves going up so high,' one passenger said.

New doco to air on former Napier councillor acquitted of murdering wife
A new docuseries explores the high-profile murder trial of Hawke's Bay man Peter Beckett.

'Poor Roger': Hilary Barry’s brutal rejection of classmate’s proposal
Eight-year-old Barry was savage as newly discovered letter reveals.

Watch: Canadian news anchor's hilarious attempt to say name of NZ town
Newsreader stumbles over Dunedin Airport’s name after its hug rule goes viral.

Passenger charged with assaulting Air NZ staff ‘can’t remember’ what happened
The young man appeared in court on Thursday.

Woman falls overboard on Taylor Swift-themed cruise
A search is under way for the 66-year-old passenger.

Aviation industry blames student loan restrictions for looming pilot shortage
'Only those with financial support from families can afford to train.'

Watch: Disruptive passenger forces Air NZ flight to divert
The 'disruptive passenger' was met by police at Melbourne Airport.

New lawsuit claims Diddy drugged and raped 13-year-old girl
The suit alleges other celebrities were present during the assault.

'Crimes against humanity': Man's smelly act on plane appals internet
'No-fly list, immediately.'

Air NZ slashes international travel fares – for a limited time
Air NZ has announced a mega sale on international fares – and it's only for a few hours.

'Devastating': Reality star's tearful plea to find late mum's ring
'This is literally all I have left of my mum,' says the reality star.

10 flights disrupted over 48 hours after receiving hoax bomb threats
The bomb threats were made via social media platform X.

'High action, high adventure': Inside the building of a cruise ship
Hybrid roller coaster and waterslide at sea, anyone?

Regional airline busier as Air NZ reduces capacity
Regional flight services are booming, says Barrier Air chief executive.

'Horrified': Woman warns travellers after receiving 'creepy' text at airport
The stranger saw her number on her luggage tag.

Diddy’s private jet leaves Auckland after mysterious visit
The private jet was sighted in Auckland yesterday – now it's gone.

'We work hard': Air NZ voted the best airline in top travel awards
National carrier credits staff for achievement.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' private jet spotted at Auckland Airport, following new sex crime charges
The music mogul is currently detained in the US. What is his jet doing in Auckland?

'Unusual smell': Qantas flight bound for Wellington turns around
A cabin crew member was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Air NZ reduces capacity on three regional routes
The airline says it has to ensure its operations are financially sustainable.

'Absolutely amazing': Pilot's act of kindness shocks passengers
'It was a beautiful sight'.

Flight times should be even longer, say climate researchers
Taking longer to reach your destination may help save the planet, study says.

'Couldn't be happier': Former NZ cricket star expecting child
The sports commentator and former international cricketer is about to become a dad again.

‘Incredibly kind’: Daniel Radcliffe pays tribute to Harry Potter co-star Maggie Smith
He remembers the late actor as a 'fierce intellect' who was 'extremely funny'.

Fly direct to Tassie: Air NZ revives summer route
Air NZ will be flying Kiwis directly to Tasmania from Auckland.

Kiwis will need to pay a fee to visit the UK from next year
From January 8, New Zealanders will pay an entry fee before visiting the UK.

How to get to Mānawa Bay - Auckland Airport’s new premium shopping mall
Mānawa Bay will have nearly 100 shops, including 14 eateries.

Review: Girls & Boys is a must-see, even if it’s uncomfortable
It has the intimate grittiness of a loved one’s bloodstained, sweat-soaked clothing.

Is this the world’s ‘strangest-looking' plane?
According to one user on social media, the plane has an 'absolute unit of a forehead'.

Faster check-ins at Auckland Airport begin today in tech upgrade
The shorter, more efficient process means travellers can save up to 13 minutes.

'We just hit something': Two planes collide on runway at US airport
A plane's wing clipped the tail of another aircraft.

Harrods selling peaches from nuclear disaster zone for $57
You can find them between a $319 melon and a $127 bag of grapes.

‘Female rage’: Is there merit to manspreading on flights?
'My rage could never,' one person wrote.

‘Land with it all’: NZ named Oceania’s leading destination at top awards
New Zealand clinches title back from Australia.

Faster, easier: Auckland Airport unveils new location for international pick-up
'We’ve heard the feedback from travellers loud and clear.'

Seven injured after severe turbulence rocks United Airlines flight
One passenger ended up in hospital.

Passengers do the darndest things - like making a mid-flight loaf of bread
'That’s an airplane - not a bakery,' one comment read.

This was the most luxurious hotel I’ve been to - and it’s in Auckland
Catching an early flight? This hotel is a godsend.

Former Love Island contestant’s bold first-class cabin move
'Don’t be shy. Take the Captain with you,' one comment read.

‘Oppressive’: Guillermo del Toro gets haunted in Scotland hotel
'Something is in that room with me,' the film-maker wrote.

Flight attendant reveals the type of passenger no one likes
They give you content that no one asked for. They're also the passenger no one asked for.

Baby, baby, baby, oh! Justin and Hailey Bieber welcomes first child
The Biebers have welcomed home their first child.

Radio star hilariously teased by celebs after getting concussed in unexpected way
'I think they didn't believe me,' ZM's Clint Roberts says.

'Everyone was screaming’: Plane plunges 200m and injures two
'We thought we were going to die,' said one passenger.