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.
Table-topping Napier City Rovers fizzing for National League run home
Napier City Rovers' hopes of making the National League final are in their own hands.
Napier City Rovers' sights on National League glory
With three rounds to go, team remain in the hunt for grand final spot.
Brothers in arms: The footballing siblings who live, play and also got red-carded together
Blues Brothers: Ethan Richards on his on- and off-pitch relationship with brother Kieran.
Rovers united: Bonding on and off the field
'Super-tight' team spirit includes eight footballers living in the same complex.
Controversial call and finishing cost Napier City Rovers top spot
Watch: Match officials called 'really poor' - penalty not given after striker cut down.
The values driving Napier City Rovers up the National League ladder
Talent isn’t always enough to succeed in high-pressure situations.
Best of the Bay: What Napier residents love the most – and the least – about the ‘Art Deco Capital’
Napier mayor welcomes public feedback - the main gripes will be listened to.
How Hawke’s Bay rugby has defied the New Zealand sporting credit crunch
Inside the proud provincial rugby union defying player drain and credit crunch trends.
Hawke’s Bay residents set to have say on public transport reforms amid ‘clear decline’
There are multiple reasons for a public transport drop-off; plans to reboot the system.
Millions of cubic metres of silt cleared from Cyclone Gabrielle hammered sites
An award-winning silt taskforce nears major a milestone in cyclone-hit Hawke's Bay.
Magpies swap rugby boots for gumboots to help Hawke’s Bay community
Rugby stars give back to the community that supports them so much.
Leaders work towards ensuring region 'fit' to handle projected expansion
The region's population will grow – housing, roading and infrastructure are the priority.
Napier City Rovers aim high after rampant first-up National League win
Stunning start backs up Napier City Rovers' hopes of doing well in the National League.
How Covid-19 derailed NZ football golden boot contender’s pro trial in Denmark
Footballer Oscar Faulds travelled around the world to trial for a pro deal. Now he's back.
Enforcement and education: Officials' message in the wake of sobering fatal crash statistics
Transport report reveals 'large proportion' of fatal and serious crashes in 50km/h areas.
'Major deficiencies': Almost half of Hawke's Bay highways get a two-star rating
A State Highway described as a 'goat track' is among the routes needing urgent funding.
‘Poorly maintained’ CBD buildings in the sights of Wairoa council
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little: 'People want their main street to look good.'
Napier City Rovers set lofty goals ahead of National League
Captain Jim Hoyle opens up on Napier City Rovers' National League qualification and hopes.
Cop's plea to those who know the truth about Ariki Rigby's murder
Hunt for killers of teen who died in 'unfathomable circumstances' enters third year.
Police apologise for mistaking teen's body for sheep as killer still at large
As police continue to hunt for the killers, her family prepare a special memorial event.
Big Ben’s perfect timing helps Napier City Rovers secure National League spot
Napier City Rovers discover a new hero on the way to qualification.
Ultimate test of character awaits Napier City Rovers in National League hunt
Return to winning ways a must as Napier City Rovers hunt National League football place.
Gisborne community reels after rural pond tragedy claims life of 5-year-old Khyzah
Inside the search for Khyzah and the raw grief which has shaken his family's community.
New Zealand football’s golden boot contender’s golden chance in Europe
Top scorer in New Zealand domestic football head-hunted by professional Danish club.
Rise again: Napier City Rovers out to replace Chatham Cup pain with league joy
Napier City Rovers coach Bill Robertson: 'The message is to recover and bounce back'.
He feared an injury would end his football career. Now he’s an inspirational leader
Napier City Rovers captain Jim Hoyle opens up on captaincy and commitment.
Triumph and tragedy: Meet the footy fan who takes his mum’s ashes to the game
Mega-fan won't work on match day; a day dedicated to his mum and favourite football team.
150 days on oxygen, 78 nights in hospital - one prem baby's battle against the odds
Ardie Neil was born at 27 weeks and weighed just 1.2kg.
Government told heartland town's 'economic potential' undermined by roads
Council tells Government town's economic potential is "undermined" by roading network.
Inside the rural factory keeping a village afloat, one pair of socks at a time
A woollen goods factory is defying the odds, in the process keeping a Kiwi village going.
Gone in six seconds: Injured footballers on long road back to fitness
A sportsman who suffered a horror knee injury six seconds into a match opens up.
Danish football recruit’s 17,000km journey to New Zealand with victory in mind
New Napier City Rovers goalie opens on up pressure, pain and a desire to be the best.
Olympic effort needed by Napier City Rovers in season opener
National champions first-up Central League opponents for Napier City Rovers.
'What's your legacy?': Emotion-charged challenge from Napier City Rovers legend
Watch: Napier City Rovers' new-look squad's challenge to leave a legacy.
From Napier City Rovers to the Premier League and the World Cup
Napier City Rovers is where it started for Scottish football international Jonathan Gould.
Swedish-born Kiwi footballer's Olympic dream
Silver fern tattoo on Swedish-born footballer highlights Kiwi roots.
'I didn't want to drown': 82yo crocheted for hours in caravan swept away by floodwaters
Laughter has been one of Cyclone Gabrielle survivor's coping strategies a year on
The kind-hearted footballers who ditched the pitch to help Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
When wild weather hit, generous players swapped their football boots for gumboots.
Cyclone Gabrielle: First came the rain, then destruction and death
Cyclone Gabrielle forever changed the lives of many in Hawke's Bay a year ago.
Cyclone Gabrielle miracle: How a massive sinkhole near HB coastline saved lives
Cyclone survival stories continue to come out - including gratitude for a sinkhole.
'How does that happen?' Elderly Cyclone Gabrielle victim's family hunt for answers
Helen Street died in Cyclone Gabrielle - her family want a full inquest into how and why.
'It's a miracle that only 11 died' - Hawke's Bay township remembers Gabrielle
Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed parts of Rissington - but some in the hamlet are rebuilding.
Police hope drone search results help in search for missing dad
Joseph Ahuriri, of Gisborne, vanished at the height of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Ardern, Gayford wake up husband and wife after partying night away; what ex-PM said in speech
Dame Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford exchanged vows in a secret ceremony full of love.
Wedding of the year: Inside Jacinda Ardern's wedding to Clarke Gayford
World-renowned winery set to host wedding of Dame Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford today.
Love, lockdown and livelihood: Kiwi hockey legend's Olympic journey
The Olympics are intertwined strongly throughout hockey star Shea McAleese's life
Goals set for Napier City Rovers after whistle blown on 2023
Squad depth is a work-on for next year as Napier City Rovers sign off on 2023.
Which National League football clubs are pushing young Kiwi talent the most?
Revealed: Which National League clubs give teenage footballers the most and least time.
Football: Family bragging rights up for grabs in National League showdown
Napier City Rovers captain faces brother and brother-in-law in Saturday showdown.
Napier City Rovers rue National League points that got away
Christchurch beckons Napier City Rovers for second weekend running in National League.
Football: Rovers look to bounce back after letting opportunity slip
Defender brings up 100 games - targets points on the road in crucial away games.
‘Not making up the numbers’: Rovers’ recruit aims high in football’s National League
Teenage recruit impresses as Napier City Rovers rise up National League's points table.
Rovers coach calls for 'controlled' aggression after crucial send-off
Be brave, but not brash, message after costly red cards dished out
How Cyclone Gabrielle contributed to Chatham Cup hero’s footballing break
After witnessing Cyclone Gabrielle devastation, Liam Schofield's priorities changed.
Former Manchester City hopeful makes cracking start to NZ football's National League
Deri Corfe makes his mark at Napier City.
National League showdown: Familiar Wellington foe awaits Napier City Rovers in season-opener
Napier City Rovers aim for winning start to football's 2023 National League.
Home by Christmas: The one wish of widow whose home was decimated in cyclone
Sylvia Bell one of an estimated 130 Wairoa residents unable to return home after cyclone.
‘Give it everything’: Napier City Rovers out to impress in football’s National League
Sole provincial-based club in football's National League out to impress.
Cheer amid despair: How $10.3m Lotto win brought joy to cyclone-ravaged Wairoa
A massive Lotto win gave Wairoa residents something to celebrate after a 'tough year'.
'Dealing with them their own way': Vigilante justice, claims looters assaulted at cyclone-damaged homes
'If I was a big burly guy and confronted someone on my property, I would do the same.'
Napier City Rovers score return to National League
Men's first team qualify for top-tier football again in club's 50th season.
Football: Rovers out to seize the moment ahead of crucial showdown
Napier City Rovers remain in a three-way battle for remaining two National League spots.
Heartless act: Burglars target family who lost everything in Cyclone Gabrielle
Residents who lost everything in the floods have now been the victims of callous thieves.
No fear: Rovers raring to go against Central League champions
Napier City Rovers eye major scalp as National League qualification hunt continues.
Midfielder opens up on his and his team's outstanding revival
The Central League standout opens up on his and his team's fightback.
‘I had to eat out of the trash’
NZ-based footballer's journey from sleeping on a street in France to captaining country.
‘Pressure’ on in tight hunt for football’s National League spots
The qualification battle for football's National League has reached near fever pitch.
‘Inspiring’ journey: How parents’ escape from war-ravaged country fires up footballer
Footballer's parents escaped war-torn Yugoslavia - now he's impressing in NZ
Cyclone mystery: The missing man and the stolen car tyres
Five months has now passed since Joseph Ahuriri's disappearance during Cyclone Gabrielle
Power of positivity: The bond that's strengthened National League football contenders
Positive vibes have bought positive results for National League football hopefuls.
Road tripping: Latest Wellington roadie ‘crucial’ as Napier City Rovers eye National League spot
The qualification battle for football's National League heats up
Capital punishment: Napier City Rovers take aim at Wellington rivals ahead of crucial road trips
Winning on the road against Wellington teams key for Napier City Rovers in league quest.
Gender goal: Inside the football club putting its female players first
A provincial-based football club is proudly putting its female players first
Mack trucks on: Captain of the world’s 208th ranked football nation on target for Napier City Rovers
Captain of international football minnows shows his class in New Zealand.
Football: Milestones rewards for talent, determination and leadership
Napier City Rovers' key defensive players notch up huge milestones.
Hard work the recipe behind Rovers’ rampant form
Napier City Rovers' epic attack scores 23 goals in just five games.
‘I can’t stand by’: Sister of slain teen’s mission to have all murderers jailed for life
Murdered teen's sister opens up on pain of loss and hunt for gang-linked killers.
Rovers out to inflict Chatham Cup pain on Wellington rivals
As Chatham Cup action heats up, five-time winners talk up cup magic.
Manchester City age-grader the perfect 10 for Napier City Rovers
A former Premier League hopeful is lighting up New Zealand Football's Central League.
Glory recalled ahead of Chatham Cup opener
Napier City Rovers are third on the all-time list of Chatham Cup winners.