Luke Kirkness has worked for NZME since 2017, operating in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.
I love sports and telling stories so you could say being a sports journalist is living the dream for me. Growing up in Otago, I thought I'd end up farming but instead found my way to journalism and haven't looked back. I started working for the Herald in 2017 casually on weekends before taking on a full-time role as the evening breaking news reporter. I moved on to the consumer affairs round in 2019, spending two years on that desk before moving from Auckland to Tauranga to become an assistant news director in the Bay of Plenty. In 2019, I was named the New Zealand Student Journalist of the Year. I love getting out of the office and spending time reporting on the ground. Since I started, I've covered every major story, including the Nelson fires, the Christchurch massacre, the Whakaari/White Island eruption, general elections, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Cyclone Gabrielle. I’m currently an online sport editor at NZ Herald, based in Auckland and covering all sports. I'm working towards becoming a newsroom editor. I like having a good laugh, meeting new people and telling stories in non-traditional ways.
State highway pothole plague - the regions with the most revealed
Pothole plague: The quality of roading is 'leaving a lot to be desired'.
No police have tested positive for drugs in last the three years
However, the head of the police association says it's 'naive' to conclude no staff used.
Police block protesters as hīkoi arrives at Auckland border
Police have advised people against partaking in the hīkoi which is heading to Northland.
Gangsters' paradise: Police figures reveal the gang capital of NZ
There were 1058 gang members in October 2017 in the Bay. Now there are 1493.
Boozed Kiwis: The alarming figures around our lockdown drinking
Young people are drinking less but they are still behind most emergency department chaos.
100 people went to Kmart and The Warehouse, how many scanned QR codes?
Data shows tracer app use is plummeting. We took to the streets to find out.
Fire 'pretty horrendous': Mayor fears for homes as 40 properties evacuated
'The unfortunate consequence ... is that the fire is still spreading.'
Deluge to hit NZ: Where and when the rain will strike
Weather will become widespread today, with heavier falls expected overnight.
Matt King concedes Northland election defeat: 'It's been a blast'
Matt King has changed his tune after saying he would ask for a judicial recount.
One new Covid-19 case in managed isolation
There is also a historical Covid case to report today.
Eleven new Covid cases - all in managed isolation
There are no new cases in the community today.
Authorities testing crew on Brisbane infection ship; 1 new imported Covid case
There were zero new cases of the virus yesterday.
Four Covid cases in managed isolation; 1 historical case probed
The suspected historical case has been transferred to a quarantine facility in Wellington.
Twelve new Covid cases - 10 from same Air India flight
It's possible we could see more cases linked to flight from India on September 26.
One new Covid-19 case in managed isolation
The positive case arrived in New Zealand from France via Singapore on September 25.
Two new Covid-19 cases in managed isolation
There were no new cases yesterday, however, someone escaped managed isolation.
No new Covid cases; Ministry's school holiday warning
There were two new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand yesterday, both in managed isolation.
The brain gain: How returning high-skilled Kiwis will help NZ
Kiwis continue to return to New Zealand amid the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
Three new Covid cases - all on same flight from India
As cases skyrocket across the ditch, NZ went 2 days without a new case but now has 3 more.
Covid is back in NZ - Two cases from the UK
Yesterday marked a total of 24 days since there was a new confirmed case in the country.
No new cases - now 24 days without Covid-19
The total number of confirmed cases in the country remained at 1154 as of 1pm yesterday.
Auckland, the city everyone loves to hate. Here's why you shouldn't
Here's 10 great ways to enjoy your time in Auckland.
Injured chainsaw-operator rescued from tree in dark
Emergency services were first called to tree rescue in Northland about 5.30pm.
Stress-free: Supermarkets reveal best times to shop
No one loves to queue for anything at the best of times, let alone at the supermarket.
Plastic bag ban: 60 retailers already dobbed in
One month on from the plastic bag ban, we reveal how many businesses flouted the ban.
Northland mouth artist's 6WD wheelchair 'non-disabling' for its users
The 6WD wheelchair enables users to go places others are not able to go.
Wet weather doesn't mean you can light fires in Northland
Firefighters are remaining on high alert despite periods of rain in the region.
Surfer attacked, father asks for compassion
The teenager was hunted down and kicked while riding a wave back to shore.
Grieving family tell of fisherman's big heart
"He wasn't about himself, he was about everyone else."
Mum speaks on meningococcal disease heartbreak: 'I can't turn back time'
Yesterday the Government announced an urgent vaccination programme for Northland.
Spring brings significant lift in property listings, QV reveals
There has been a significant rise in listings since Spring began last month.
Spring 'just around the corner'
Rough start to September but the super-Spring weather isn't far away.