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.
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.
‘Cup final mentality’: Month of ‘must win’ matches facing Napier City Rovers
Huge four weeks facing the football club as they eye a National League spot.
Turf wars: Why cup-winning footballer won’t play on artificial grass
Central League side is without their key defender due to the artificial grass surface.
Stay ‘ruthless’: Coach’s call to players as they hunt crucial wins
As football's Central League heats up, Napier City Rovers seek move up points table.
‘Makes us sad’: Ariki Rigby's family say ‘incompetent policing’ saw teen's body mistaken for a sheep
Family talk out of bungled response - police say review to be carried out.
‘Challenge by choice’: Programme gives youths a second crack
The power of sport is one of the driving forces behind inspirational youth programme.
Hot shots: Goals aplenty as Rovers surge up the points table
Attack on form as top-of-table teams beckon for Napier City Rovers.
Football: Young Kiwi prospect putting in the hard yards on and off the pitch
When the full-time whistle blows, Alex Mort starts thinking about heading to work.
Emphatic Rovers return to winning ways, next stop Wembley
Sharp-shooters fire as Central League football action heats up
Central League MVP out to end the pain game
A key Napier City Rovers player on the frustration of not turning strong games into wins.
Permanent memorial planned for teen murder victim Ariki Rigby
Sister of slain teen talks of new mission to remember and honour her loved one.
Raising the roof: Businessman shells out half a million dollars for special 50th birthday gift
Businessman talks about his $500,000 birthday present to his beloved footy club.
Ariki Rigby’s sister believes ‘jealousy and drugs’ behind teen’s murder
Sister believes police closer to catching teen's killers - reveals possible motive.
Home rules: Rovers look for winning form at home
Goal to make sure home ground advantage is used to the maximum.
Vanished in the cyclone: Where is Joseph Ahuriri?
Joseph Ahuriri's planned several-hour trip to Napier is now a missing persons case.
Cheers to 50 years: Napier City Rovers’ history of stars, famous wins, a future rugby international and even a ‘hex’ on the club
Rovers revealed: The supposed 'hex' and a star who went on to play against the All Blacks
‘You lose confidence’: Family of murdered Ariki Rigby speak out
Police say investigation into murdered teen at 'sensitive stage' - but cousin frustrated.
Dumped by Manchester City: Size no problem now for Napier City Rovers signing
Premier League giants discarded rising teen - now he is plying his trade in New Zealand.
Cyclone Gabrielle: Tourists 'key' to rebooting economy, council's multimillion-dollar weekly roading spend
Documents have revealed more of the cost of Cyclone Gabrielle and the recovery phase.
Napier City Rovers' moving gesture to Cyclone Gabrielle victims
The football team honoured victims with black armbands and on-field showings.
Points on the road crucial as Rovers return to action
Iconic football club out to start 50th anniversary season in strong form.
Game of their lives: The football heroes who refuse to quit the club they love
Former stars still serve Napier football club long after hanging up their boots.
Cyclone Gabrielle: Road destruction set to hit Heartland rugby heroes hard
Rugby - a unifying force on the East Coast - will be hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle damage.
Oxygen mystery: ‘We just want answers’ - heartbroken family of cyclone victim
Helen Street is remembered as a much-loved grandma and a 'strong woman'.
Cyclone refugees: Couple to live in caravan for a year, others to rebuild from the ground up
Reality is sinking in for the thousands who lost homes and businesses in the disaster.
Cup triumphs and football heroes to be toasted at 50th celebration
Red carpet set to be laid out to returning sporting heroes of famous club.
Tears and sweat shed as homeowners and volunteers dig in for Gabrielle clean-up
The Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up in Hawke's Bay is a mammoth operation.
‘I didn’t care about drowning, I just had to save my mokos’ - cyclone survivor
Battling neck-high flood waters, Jim McIlroy put the live of his mokos ahead of his own.