Kurt Bayer is NZ Herald's South Island Head of News based in Christchurch, covering the South Island and stories of national interest.
Kurt Bayer is South Island Head of News for the NZ Herald based in Christchurch, covering the South Island and stories of national interest. He has been with the Herald since 2011. Prior to being at the Herald, Kurt spent a decade working with a national news agency providing coverage for regional, national and international publications including The Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, Sun, The Times, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian, and Scotsman. Since 2011 post the Christchurch earthquake, Canterbury has provided a busy beat, with more quakes, royal commissions of inquiry, long-running insurance wrangles, plus the ongoing fallout from the Pike River mine disaster, the March 15 terror attacks, and high-profile murder cases like the ‘Black Widow’ Helen Milner, the Ashburton WINZ slayings, and dozens of others. While often reporting on live and breaking stories, Kurt also has an interest in covering military history, leading the Herald’s WWI centenary coverage and ghost-writing the Sunday Times number one bestseller, The Forgotten Highlander, as well as antiquaries, cricket, and quirky human interest stories. In 2021, he was named Voyager Media Awards Crime & Justice Reporter of the Year while also winning Regional Journalist of the Year. In 2017, he went to write about the South Island Gumboot Throwing Championships and came away with the longest throw of the day and an invitation to compete at the national championships, finishing fourth – behind Dame Valerie Adams. You can contact Kurt Bayer at kurt.bayer@nzherald.co.nz.
Live: Auckland, Northland, Coromandel brace for month's rain in two days
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he has a close eye on sub-tropical storm.
'Strong, hardcore, handsome but extremely humble': NZ soldier killed in Ukraine is named
The soldier was on a period of leave without pay at the time.
The last post: NZ's final survivor of WWII battle of Crete - and possibly the world - dies
Brant Robinson, aged 104, may even have been world's last survivor of famous action.
Wanted: Global manhunt for NZ gangster on the run
Image of fugitive Shane Ngakuru published for the first time.
US lawsuits claim White Island tourists unaware of danger; graphic new details
The 2019 eruption claimed 22 lives.
NZ's shocking summer continues: Child dies after incident at waterfall beauty spot
As of this evening, there have been 28 water-related deaths across NZ.
Live: Positive Covid case in Blenheim the 'kick up the backside' the South Island needed
Infected person isolating and believed to be connected to Te Awamutu cluster.
Operation Trojan Shield: Why did cops spill on fake phone app?
The 'sting of the century' has resulted in 800 arrests worldwide, including across NZ.
'Meet a Muslim': National roadshow ahead of mosque attacks anniversary
'Ignorance leads to misunderstandings,' says imam touring NZ.
Underarm 40 years on: 'What a stupid way to finish a great game'
Kiwi batsman reveals his on-field view of infamous sporting moment.
Never again: How will NZ prevent future terror attacks?
Royal commission report into Christchurch mosque shootings released this afternoon.
Wicked, cruel, pitiless mass murderer jailed indefinitely
The man behind the Christchurch terror attack will never be released from prison.
Cruel, depraved 'monster': Mosque gunman will never be released from jail
Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant will never be released from jail.
Mosque attacks sentencing: 'This is a day for justice that we have long been waiting for'
The sentencing of the convicted mass killer begins in Christchurch today.
Mum's grief, frustration: Slain officer's relatives quarantined in Rotorua
Matthew Hunt's overseas relatives confront quarantine and top cops publicly break down.
Coronavirus: NZ officials probe possible community cases
Elderly told to stay at home, pubs and clubs to stay open - with restrictions.
Aero club devastated after plane crash death
One person confirmed dead in Coromandel plane crash
Gasps in court as accused gunman pleads not guilty
Survivors and family members reacted with gasps when the not guilty pleas were entered.
Fine holiday weather for most this week
Thunderstorm warning for inland North Island, but otherwise mostly fine.
Life savings lost: More New Zealand victims of 'global scam'
More Kiwis sucked into apparent global investment scam.
$3.1 billion: House sellers still cashing in
House sellers across NZ are still cashing in despite some markets cooling off.
NZDF gets extra $360m
Defence Minister: "Funding will help the Defence Force meet increasing demand."
Canterbury's rebuild gets $300m boost
Cash boost could fast-track new stadium and residential red zone development.
Lindauer heist: Raid details revealed
Million-dollar Lindauer art heist in Auckland more sophisticated than first thought.
Poppy Appeal to help NZ's veterans
Ambassadors help launch RSA's annual Poppy Appeal
Kiwi bride jilted at island altar
A New Zealand bride says she is devastated after her husband-to-be ditched her the night before their lavish wedding in Rarotonga.
Star of 'Boy' James Rolleston in Tauranga hospital after crash
The young star of the New Zealand hit film Boy in Tauranga Hospital after being seriously injured in a car crash. James Rolleston
'Dead' Kiwi phones mum after 30 years
Francis Strange's family thought he was dead. He's not: he's in Kenya.
Donations flood in for sick man
Almost $9500 has already been raised for a dying convicted fraudster who is trying to raise money for a new drug treatment he says could extend his life.
Government should buy war medals
Labour is calling on the Government to buy the war medals of Kiwi “Dambusters” veteran Les Munro to keep them in New Zealand.
Crash death: Alcohol a factor
Victim was also not wearing a seatbelt when the car he was driving rolled on Papamoa Beach.
No trouble at 'teen heaven'
New Year's Eve party hot-spots, including the Tauranga campsite full of people who were "young, dumb and full of beer'', all enjoyed a quiet, well-behaved celebration.
Tauranga families' suicide heartbreak
A coroner has referred the deaths of two young Tauranga men who took their own lives to the Law Commission.
Father 'had no one to turn to' - family
The family of a depressed young father who took his own life are still angry that he was failed by the mental health system.