Anna Leask, specialist in crime and justice reporting for the New Zealand Herald, has covered some of New Zealand’s biggest events, incidents, tragedies and disasters.
Anna Leask is a senior journalist and crime and justice specialist for the New Zealand Herald. From a young age, Anna was an avid storyteller and writer so it was no surprise to anyone when she chose journalism as a career. Anna studied Mass Communications and Sociology at Canterbury University before completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism in 2005. This led her to her first job at The Star in Christchurch. She spent two years there covering all things crime and court and then made the move to the Herald on Sunday. In 2010, Anna became a police reporter, a role that soon came to be much more about broader crime and justice issues, particularly the people involved. Anna has covered some of the most high-profile crimes and events New Zealand has seen. To name a few, the Pike River mine disaster; the Christchurch quakes; and the unprecedented four-day sentencing of the gunman responsible for the 2019 terror attack. Alongside her daily reporting Anna writes, hosts and produces monthly episodes for the chart-topping podcast 'A Moment In Crime' which won a silver award in the true crime category at the inaugural New Zealand Podcast Awards in 2021. You can contact Anna at anna.leask@nzme.co.nz.
Support for Lauren Dickason grows - protest planned ahead of sentencing
She admitted smothering Liané, 6, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla.
Sentencing date set for Timaru murder mum Lauren Dickason
She admitted smothering Liané, 6, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla.
Jury finds mother guilty of murdering three children
Is killer mum guilty of murder, infanticide - or will insanity defence be accepted?
Watch: Pike River recovery 'impossible'; families 'angry, gutted' as remains found
Police say they're unable to recover the remains.
Auckland man's private jet Wānaka trip: Police probe clears entrepreneur
Auckland entrepreneur under investigation after he travelled to Wānaka in lockdown.
'Threedom' south of Auckland; police - good compliance at checkpoints, some cars turned away
The latest on New Zealand's Delta outbreak and the fight against Covid-19.
Timaru crash that killed teens one of 13 with five or more victims
The Weekend Herald looks back at the crashes in New Zealand with the highest fatalities.
'I started screaming': Surviving driver in crash that killed mum, two children speaks
Inquest into the death of a mother and her two young children begins.
Victim furious: Man who filmed her without consent during sex gets away with warning
Woman filmed during sex without consent blasts cops for taking no action against offender.
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.
Teen murderer escaped more than an hour before Oranga Tamariki staff noticed
More details emerge on how a teen killer escaped from a youth justice residence.
Killer on the run: Teen murderer missing from Youth Justice facility
Teen jailed for brutal murder escaped from a Youth Justice facility on Friday.
Who is Grace's murderer? A life-long labyrinth of lies unravels
A look into the life of the man charged with NZ's most notorious murder in recent years.
Jules Mikus: The criminal life and prison death of a child killer
Funeral preparations are thought to be underway for murderer Jules Mikus.
'I didn't grieve at all': Arrest cop on death of Teresa Cormack's killer
Inmate had been battling a brain tumour.
Grace Millane murder trial: Cop describes bush 'gravesite' where body found
Grace's parents are in court as the trial get under way in Auckland.
Teresa Cormack's killer dying from brain tumour in prison
The man who raped and murdered schoolgirl Teresa Cormack is dying, say sources.
Gangbusters: Patches on the rise as NZ gang scene 'revitalised'
Bay of Plenty is the district with the most gang members, with 1359 on the list.
Free, again: Woman who murdered partner with steak knife granted parole for second time
A woman who murdered her partner with a steak knife will be released.
Pua Magasiva mourned: Family thank public for support
Tributes continue for actor Pua Magasiva who died suddenly this weekend.
A thief's tale: Lexington Lewis - one of NZ's worst burglars - is back behind bars
One of NZ's most persistent burglars jailed again after another crime wave in Auckland.
The Chase: 'No quick fix' for pursuits and calls for ban on chases
Police Association has welcomed a major review into pursuits.
Police pursuits: Review wants study into why drivers flee
A major review of the police pursuits policy has been released today
The Chase: major review of police pursuits to be released today
A joint review of the police pursuits policy is set to be released today.
The Chase: Son urges drivers not to flee cops
Today the "Herald" launches "The Chase" - a four-day series about police pursuits.
The Chase: 'I'm not at peace' - pursuit death haunts cop
'I thought "Jesus Christ this is my fault, this is my fault, this is really bad".'
Budget 2018: $300m boost for police 'commended'
Funding was a key election promise and part of Labour's coalition agreement with NZ First.
Youth justice funding as age increases to 17
The justice system is in crisis and failing children and families, says the Government.
Westside star sentenced for assault
TV actor Pana Hema-Taylor was sentenced for an assault outside his family home last year.
High profile criminal may be recalled to prison
Dean Wickliffe has been released and recalled to prison five times between 1987 and 2011.
Inmate death referred to coroner
The inmate who died at Hawkes Bay Prison on Friday was Kolby Heta.
Inmate dead after 'serious incident'
An inmate is dead after an incident at Hawkes Bay Regional Prison yesterday.
Store adopts siege tactics to beat robbers
Door locked and admission by invite only after robberies leave staffer in hospital.
Teresa Cormack's killer denied parole
The man who raped and murdered the 6-year-old has been denied parole because his risk of further sexual offending is too high.