Isaac Davison is a health reporter for the New Zealand Herald and has a special interest in inequality, public housing, alcohol and drug reform, and euthanasia.
Isaac Davison started at the Herald in 2008 on the night shift, before moving to Tauranga to report on the Bay of Plenty. He was later the science and environment reporter, a role in which he covered the Rena oil spill disaster and the Christchurch earthquakes. He spent six years at the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington, where he closely covered two general elections in 2014 and 2017. In that time, Isaac also covered the legalisation of same-sex marriage in New Zealand and reported from trips abroad to Antarctica, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and the Marshall Islands. In 2020, he was awarded runner-up for Feature Writer of the Year (Social Issues) for his reporting on historic sexual abuse at Dilworth School. Before journalism, Isaac studied English and History at the University of Auckland and wrote his Masters thesis on the great New Zealand poet Allen Curnow. You can contact Isaac at isaac.davison@nzme.co.nz.
Family of Ariki Rigby weep in court as man charged with murder appears
Police made a breakthrough two years after the Hawke's Bay killing shocked the nation.
Rugby club grieves death of second young player in two years
Caleb Baker, 22, died in a car crash on the Hawke's Bay Expressway on Friday.
'Can't control it': The worrying trend among Kiwi kids that has experts alarmed
Children in the study wore body cams to track their television, online and games use.
Kidney dialysis services ‘at breaking point’, regional patients forced to drive two hours for treatment
Sector warns services are stretched, understaffed and facing growing demand.
Half of surgeons assessed for using surgical mesh did not meet minimum standards
It comes as the Ministry of Health considers a pause on mesh implants for some operations.
Trans students: How schools should handle pronouns and names
A teacher was struck off after refusing to use a trans student's chosen name and pronouns.
Flatlining: $11b health shake-up yet to help struggling frontline staff, 'urgent problems'
Your guide to the big health reforms - and whether they're working or not.
Two deaths from whooping cough in New Zealand, low vaccination rates mean spread is more likely
Vaccination rates were "seriously low" after the pandemic disruption, officials said.
Inside Auckland's emergency bunker as Cyclone Gabrielle rages
"No one gets a get out of jail free card," an official said as the storm approached.
Covid vaccine available to under-5s with high health risks from today
Expert welcomes extension of vaccine, but wants more under-5s to get access.
NZ study showing higher rates of heart disease after Covid jabs should be treated with caution - expert
The study provided further reassurance about the safety of the vaccine, an official said.
'It all came crashing down': Long Covid turns fit adventurer into bedridden patient
Rose was a thriving, adventurous 38-year-old - long Covid has turned her life upside down.
One in five infections in NZ report Long Covid symptoms, many struggle to get help
Govt is now being told to set up Long Covid clinics and properly educate doctors.
‘Kindest man’ and his ‘mini-me’: Beach drowning victims remembered
Ian and Samuel Cruickshank drowned when they were swept out to sea at Opoutere Beach.
Let them sleep in: Later school starts for senior students a ‘no-brainer’ - researchers
The evidence is clear. So why have so few New Zealand schools changed their start times?
Summer Covid wave keeps retreating, latest case numbers released
The Ministry of Health has released new Covid infection numbers
How NZ will honour Elizabeth, PM praises 'incredible woman'
New Zealand will hold a memorial service and a proclamation ceremony in coming days.
Eight Covid cases in managed isolation; Air NZ staffer tests positive again
There are no new community cases today.
Two new Covid cases in managed isolation
The Air NZ staffer visited Auckland pet store, later tested positive in China.
Two new Covid cases at border; probe into possible infection of Air NZ staffer in China
An Air NZ cabin crew member with "possible" infection is in managed isolation in Shanghai.
Baby uplifts: Oranga Tamariki fires back, says report 'silent on the interest of babies'
It came after the Children's Commissioner told often-harrowing stories about uplifts.
Coronavirus: Total cases rise to 52, two of them not travel-related
"At this point, we cannot rule out a risk of community transmission."
Housing shortage shock: 3000 households living in motels
Frustrated by how many people are being housed in motels, one council has taken action.
Delay to trans bill 'deeply disappointing' - Greens
Law change would make it easier for trans people to change sex on their birth certificate.
The 'relentless' rise of P in New Zealand: 'This is becoming a plague'
Meth-related offending has now overtaken cannabis in New Zealand.
Night sweats? 20C overnight, could surpass 35C today
Further temperature records could tumble in the South Island this week, say forecasters.
Use of developers for social housing 'short-sighted'
The shift towards developers comes as the wait list for social housing nears 12,000.
Country of origin rules for food watered down
Country of origin labelling in NZ is back on track, but with a few changes.
Mum invested $100K in dream home, then her son kicked her out
Family members are responsible for three-quarters of elder abuse cases, figures show.
Attacks on ED staff 'simply part of the job'
More than 100 cases of abuse were recorded on hospital staff in a month.
Medical cannabis for son big financial toll on family
A family finally has access to legal, medical cannabis. But the costs are crippling.
Compo possibility for tenants evicted over meth
Housing NZ's response to the meth contamination scare will be reviewed.
Govt urged by unions to approve mega-prison
A 600-bed boost to prisons will not solve overcrowding, unions say.
Govt has 'pulled anchor' on economy - National
The Govt spent, taxed and borrowed more in the Budget for little gain, National says.
Greens happy with smaller share of cash
Greens counted around $610m in Budget wins, compared to $2.8b for NZ First.
$76m boost for family violence services
Extra cash 'critical to turn around tragic family violence record'.
Farm limits an 'assault on the regions': Bridges
The Government wants to limit farming run-off and intensification.
Govt's 'audacious' target of zero deaths on NZ roads
"Target of zero deaths is audacious, and it's also been successful," Health Minister says.
National unveils $10.5 billion roads plan
The National Party will build 10 new major highways if it returns to power in September.
Ardern to PM - 'Don't be complacent'
Jacinda Ardern is promising that Labour will run the "campaign of our lives".
PM signals law change on land swaps
Conservationists have won a major victory in the Supreme Court. But Govt isn't happy.
NZ's native birds 'in trouble'
A third of NZ's native birds could soon go the way of the moa, a damning report reveals.
Youthful Greens trio race up party list
The Green Party has taken a punt on its young, high-profile women candidates.
Labour MP calls for prisoner to be scalped
Labour MP Stuart Nash has deleted a Facebook post suggesting a prisoner should be scalped.
Tourist driver test ruled out
Judy Richards, whose son Rhys Middleton was killed by a tourist driver last year, is leading calls for testing foreign motorists.
MP: Doctors prejudiced about cannabis
Patients seeking medical cannabis for pain relief will no longer need to get approval from a minister, the Government confirmed this morning.
PM confirms election date
New Zealand will go to the polls on September 23, Prime Minister Bill English announced this afternoon.
Who is next in line for faster internet?
More communities will get fibre faster as the government speeds up its rollout programme.
Bridges and Adams on the rise in Cabinet
Simon Bridges and Amy Adams have received big promotions in a new Cabinet as Judith Collins falls down ministerial rankings. Read the full list here.
John Key cites family reasons for leaving
John Key is resigning as PM saying it's time to "take a step back in my career and spend more time at home".
Defeated PM defends $26m flag vote
INTERACTIVE: John Key says he is disappointed New Zealanders have voted to keep the current flag but has promised his Government will not revisit the issue.
All legal highs banned
The Government will ban all synthetic drugs within two weeks until they can be proven to be low-risk, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has revealed.