Melissa Nightingale is a Senior Reporter for the Herald, based in the Wellington region.
Melissa began working for NZME in 2013 as a journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle, after completing a Diploma in Journalism and a Bachelor of Communications degree at the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec). Melissa started on the crime, emergency and health rounds and now specialises in court reporting in her role in the capital - though continues to cover all things Wellington and beyond. She is also the host of the NZ Herald podcast The Fifty Year Secret, which uncovered shocking new evidence in one of New Zealand's oldest cold case murders. Melissa is always on the lookout for great news tips and welcomes the occasional cute animal story to break up the flood of crime. She can be emailed at melissa.nightingale@nzme.co.nz or messaged on X (formerly Twitter) @mel_nightingale.
Second person dies after Ōtaki house fire
Investigations are continuing to determine the cause of the blaze.
Two cars seen outside burning house where murdered man lay
Two vehicles were seen on the street where the arson happened.
'Joker of the party': Dad-of-three named after body found in 'suspicious' house fire
Dean Kahukiwa “loved his kids and loved everybody", say his family.
Sister, 14, had to break news of siblings' deaths in horrific tanker crash to parents
The teen had to translate news of the deaths to her parents on behalf of police.
Double fatal crash scene 'didn't look real'
One witness says the scene in Shannon this week was difficult to comprehend.
'She's not coming home alive' missing woman's mum told
A year on from her disappearance, Breanna Muriwai's mum has shared new information.
'Someone out there knows': Breanna Muriwai has been missing for a year
The 22-year-old was last seen on Te Horo Beach on August 28 last year.
Police officer’s 'dangerous' arrest tactic caused death of Peter Boy Tuhi
The way the officer arrested Peter Boy Tuhi caused his death, a report says.
Truck driver 'devastated' after fatal crash with pedestrian using walking frame
The witness said the truck driver was "devastated".
Psychologist told a court a man could be a child sex offender. She never met him
Concerns included that the man was keen to change his daughter's nappy.
Ōtaki murder accused seeks name suppression
The man accused of murder appeared in court by audio visual link this morning.
Man charged with murder after woman dies in Paraparaumu
Irina Scantee was killed in Paraparaumu on Saturday night.
Body of missing tramper found in Tararua Range
Darren Myers had been missing for 11 days.
'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.
Man in coma doesn't know wife died in crash
Wendy Kauwhata had a big heart and touched many lives, her son says.
Witnesses to fleeing driver incident sought
Police have arrested a 45-year-old man, but still want to speak to witnesses.
No prison for lawyer who hired underage prostitutes
Quentin Haines hired two underage girls for sex services in August last year.
$16k spent to bring dog home from Mexico
It's taken $16,000 and more than a year to bring Maggie the dog over from Mexico.
Plane forced to return to airport
Passenger says tension in the craft rose after being told the brakes had failed.