Emma Russell, Multimedia Journalist at New Zealand's Herald, uncovers health investigations and writes daily news following the country's biggest health system shake up and continued repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kia ora, I'm Emma. I'm really proud of two major investigations I've uncovered since starting at the New Zealand Herald in 2018. The first exposed inequalities in cancer care in a 2019 investigation called ‘Cancer: Why can’t we get it right?’. The second was a 2022 campaign called ‘In her Head’, which uncovered serious issues with how women are treated in New Zealand’s health system, and the severe neglect that some wāhine had faced. I also write daily news including following the country’s biggest health system shakeup and continued repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Growing up, I watched people I love struggle with their mental health, with them becoming stripped of a voice and left feeling powerless. I observed the role the media has to influence positive change. This led me to study journalism, with history and English, at the University of Canterbury and through a postgraduate diploma at Auckland University of Technology. I learnt about three key staples to journalism - holding powers to account, shining a light on injustices, and giving people a voice. Many of the stories I cover are harrowing and confronting. Those stories have stayed with me, but by sharing them we provoke meaningful conversation. To me, journalism is more than a job, it’s a privilege and one I am committed to never taking for granted
Life-threatening endometriosis delays, surgery wait times up to three years
On average, women in NZ wait 8.7 years from onset symptoms to be formally diagnosed.
'We live in a man's world': NZ lags behind other countries in women's health
"When we look at systems of all sorts around the world we see inequality for women."
'Women let down by system': ACC pays out $27m to women harmed by health treatment
'There are so many areas that could be improved to better [women's] outcomes," GP says.
'Just part of being a woman': How our health system ignores and neglects female patients - and what can be done about it
'I kept thinking maybe I'm just being weak, maybe I just need to harden up...'
Delta outbreak: 109 cases - new infections in Northland, Waikato; Auckland vaccine rate latest
There are 35 people in hospital around the country.
The staggering amount taxpayers spend on drink-driving crashes
'Road deaths aren't just numbers,' police boss says.
'Treat it like it's Covid': Mum fighting for daughter's life as RSV soars
A Napier mum is terrified of losing her four-month-old daughter who is in ICU with RSV.
'Bold move': $36.6m to help Kiwis quit smoking by 2025
Advocacy groups are applauding the Government's Smokefree 2025 spend.
Ruby Princess cluster closed, 21 days with no new Covid-19 cases
The Ministry of Health has released the latest update.
'Unacceptable': Man dies after IT error causes year-long delay in test results
An IT error caused a year-long delay in a dying man receiving his test results.
One new Covid-19 case - link to Auckland rest home cluster
The number of new Covid-19 cases in the previous seven days has been just two.
Back to work, school: NZ hailed in US for 'quashing Covid in 49 days'
New Zealanders will be swapping their slippers for shoes as they head back to the office.
Did the Ruby Princess cruise ship leak Covid-19 into NZ? PM seeks legal advice
At least 16 New Zealand virus cases linked to the ship.
'Bullied' family in isolation, Kiwi officials to contact 100 passengers
One hundred passengers were on board the two domestic flights taken by the infected woman.
Man wakes up with thumb sewn to his groin
"It's one of those things your brain just can't comprehend," patient tells.
C-section complication horror: 'I don't know if I'm going to live'
"I started fearing that my wife would not be coming back," traumatised husband tells.
Caring for a sick loved one: 'It's my duty as a wife'
Family members will now be paid to look after disabled loved one - here's why.
Health boards fail to meet 'faster cancer treatment' target
How do DHBs rank when it comes to cancer treatment wait times?
'Rotten care': Elderly rest home residents dying due to low level of help - union
Reports of man dying after being too scared to report infected wound due to low staffing.
Baby fights to live after feeding tube inserted into lungs at hospital
Mother speaks out after frightening hospital error prolongs son's stay.
ACC warns Kiwis of the odd 'preventable' Xmas injuries
Falling Xmas trees, flying wine corks and hang fairy lights common hazards, ACC tells
'Seven years of medicated hell': One in eight Kiwis prescribed antidepressants
Kiwi teacher shares her struggle as research reveals 1 in 8 Kiwis are prescribed the drug.
Danger at the beach: Rubbish blamed for surge in seaside injuries
Researchers are warning rubbish is becoming a "growing hazard" at New Zealand's beaches.
Grieving widow sues after not one but two 'stuff-ups'
A grieving widow has filed two lawsuits against Hawke's Bay District Health Board.
Grieving widow sues over missing cancer scan results
Health board admits IT error caused year-long delay in dying man receiving his results.
Pay negotiations to continue after nurses' strike
New Zealand Nurses Organisation and District Health Boards head back to the table.
$750m for restoring hospitals' urgent building needs
Funding to fix hospital buildings is "a start", but more is needed.
Grieving widow: 'It was cancer and we weren't told'
Man told of cancer over a year after alarming scan that was never followed up, widow tells