Neil Reid is a Hawke’s Bay-based senior reporter for the New Zealand Herald who has covered some of the country's biggest news and sporting events since 1992.
Since graduating with a Diploma in Journalism in 1991, Neil Reid has spent the past three decades on the frontline of the New Zealand media landscape. During that time, he has been a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery – covering several elections – and a raft of live news events including the Raurimu massacre, the fatal Ansett Flight 703 on the outskirts of Palmerston North, the White Island disaster and more recently the deadly Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay. His reporting has also taken him overseas to cover news events, including the 2009 MV Princess Ashika ferry sinking in Tonga which claimed 74 lives. Neil has a huge interest in sport, and as a full-time sports reporter and editor travelled to and covered three Rugby World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2011), two Olympic Games (2000 in Sydney and 2004 in Athens), the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, was ringside at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay for David Tua’s 2000 world heavyweight boxing title fight against Lennox Lewis, and has also covered numerous All Blacks, Kiwis and Black Caps tours. Based in Napier since January 2022, he covers a wide range of news and sport; the latter including a passion for the East Coast rugby team and Napier City Rovers football side. Away from daily reporting, he has also written three books; including ghostwriting former Black Caps star Craig McMillan’s 2009 autobiography, Out of the Park. Neil can be contacted neil.reid@nzme.co.nz. You can follow him on Twitter at @NeilReidnz.
'Verifiable nightmare': White Island survivors battled horror 387C heat
Court documents reveal US tourists' battle for survival as Whakaari/White Island erupted.
White Island victims' multimillion-dollar civil claim heads to mediation
Victims' lawyer says no amount of money will erase the pain inflicted by the tragedy.
Live: 'Leave immediately' - part of Hawke's Bay urged to evacuate; new storm warning as death toll rises; Looters raid flood-stricken areas
A young Hawke's Bay child is among the victims of the devastating cyclone.
Pothole nation: ‘This is the worst the roads have ever been’
Road crews gear up for major repair job as motorists fume over state of the network.
Code-swapper: Speedy Leopard pounces after sporting switch
Former top domestic cricket player tosses in bat for football's National League.
'Red' Conway: Rugby star who had finger amputated to make the All Blacks dies
Rugby icon had no regrets having finger amputated to make the All Blacks.
'Pretty scary': Water sucked out of NZ bay after Tongan blast, campers evacuated
Tongan eruption leads to marine warnings for New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa.
Watch: Up to 100 people isolating after close contact with Omicron case
Covid-19 expert fears UK musician could have picked up variant in MIQ.
Water tragedy: East Coast rugby legend dies in diving accident
Diver who died off East Coast was a rugby hero of the province
Live: Return 2 work; Middlemore Hospital infection case questions
The Auckland region remains the only part of New Zealand in level 4 lockdown.
Live: Updated vaccine plan reveal ahead of alert level change
Level changes set to drop, but concern remains over Auckland mystery cases.
'I said the Lord's prayer': White Island survivor recalls deadly eruption
Survivor says eruption aftermath felt like "the whole world was going to fall in on you".
'Really concerning': Cruel online trolls target White Island survivor
White Island survivor opens up on online trolls and PTSD battle.
Welcome home: World champion Black Caps arrive in Auckland
The Black Caps now face a 14-day stint in managed isolation.
Specialist White Island response crew discussed before tragedy
In tragic timing, a response simulation had also been planned for 2 months after eruption.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Next Covid update tomorrow
Anyone in NZ who was at Melbourne places of interest must call Healthline for advice.
White Island tragedy: The lives cut short when tourism trip ended in disaster
Tourists and tour guides made up the 22 people tragically killed on White Island.
14-hour shifts: Surgeon describes White Island medical heroics
The Australian and NZ Burn Association on the medical response to White Island disaster.
'Cause for celebration': White Island guide turns 20 a year after almost dying
Jake Milbank will turn 20 tomorrow - a year on from the day he almost died.
'No escape': White Island tragedy a disaster waiting to happen
A leading volcanologist says there would have been "no escape' for those on White Island
Parents' legacy lives on for young children orphaned by White Island tragedy
Three children orphaned in the White Island tragedy are learning parents' legacy.
'Breaking point': Burns surgeon talks of White Island horror, loss and emotional trauma
A top burns surgeon says he was pushed to breaking point by the White Island tragedy.
White Island body recovery mission: 'The team told me they needed to stop'
The leader of the White Island body recovery has spoken of the dangerous mission
'I felt for the kid': Brother of hero guide's bond with young White Island survivor
Brave White Island survivor forms bond with family of fallen hero Kiwi guide.
'Carry on the good he did': Charity event in White Island hero's legacy
Hayden Marshall-Inman both lived and died a hero to others he didn't know personally.
White Island tragedy: Legal fight ramps up over eruption which killed 21
Lawsuits in America and Australia are set to follow the White Island tragedy.
White Island: Funeral on hold for teen seven months after tragedy
A funeral is yet to be held for one of the youngest Whakaari/White Island victims.
Injured White Island guide: 'Good to be home'
Tour guide Kelsey Waghorn badly injured in the White Island eruption is finally back home.
'You must have seen things that no person should see'
The family of two White Island eruption victims pays tribute to military heroes.
The day the volcano erupted: White Island lifesaver - 'I am not a hero'
A Hamilton pastor who saved White Island eruption victims says he is no hero.
'A marathon and not a sprint': White Island pair face painful two-year recovery
Americans who survived the White Island tragedy have opened up about their recovery
White Island 'legacy': Family's $100,000 drive to help Kiwi kids
Family of a couple who died on White Island have launched a charitable foundation.
'I miss you all': White Island survivor's moving message
White Island survivor Stephanie Browitt is now out of a coma and back on social media.
White Island tragedy: Survivor's son will never take love for granted
Among the first words a White Island survivor told her children was her love for them
White Island: Survivors share photo just before eruption
A White Island survivor says she and her husband were buried "in hot volcanic ash".
White Island heartbreak: Badly burned mother can't attend daughter's funeral
White Island survivor Lisa Dallow is too badly injured to attend daughter Zoe's funeral.
GoFakeMe: Bogus White Island scam appals grieving widower
An online fundraiser targeting the widower of a hero White Island nurse has been removed
Scammers target family of hero White Island nurse
Family of hero White Island nurse who died in car crash targeted by scammers.
White Island teen survivor: 'Thank you for your kindness'
Jake Milbank was leading a tour on the island when it erupted.
White Island heroics: Young guide helped others without a gas mask
Young White Island tour guide Tipene Maangi's selfless heroics are revealed
Landings could be off limits under future White Island tours
Future Whakaari/White Island might not feature landings on the volcanic island.
White Island a 'memorial' for heroic tour guide killed saving others
Whakaari tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman's family remember his heroics and generosity.
'He's bloody amazing': White Island survivor's positive news
Teen critical still in ICU and facing a long struggle — but is talking to family.
White Island survivor who suffered horrific burns is 'up and alert'
Family of a White Island tragedy survivor has revealed he is "up and alert".
Miracle survival: White Island survivor tells children of her love for them
A White Island survivor has told her children she loves them after coming out of a coma
Teen tragedy: White Island victim's legacy will 'never dim'
One of the White Island tragedy's teen victims has been remembered as a "shining star"
White Island tragedy: Mother and daughter die in bitter twist of fate
Brisbane mother and daughter rescheduled visit after tour was cancelled two years ago.
Revealed: Secret motivation behind Sam Cane's test comeback
Sam Cane's mum has revealed the secret inspiration behind their son's injury return.