Sam Hurley is an award-winning journalist and Deputy Head of Print Content for the New Zealand Herald in Auckland.
Sam joined the Herald in 2017 and has worked in a variety of roles, including as a court and business reporter. He has covered some of New Zealand’s biggest court cases, including the murder of Grace Millane, and led multi-year Herald investigations into the crimes of millionaire arts philanthropist James Wallace and New Lynn terrorist Ahamed Samsudeen. He was the Templeton Scholar in Parliament's Press Gallery in 2016 and also reported on the US presidential election while in America that year. Sam has covered several general and local elections and the Serious Fraud Office cases involving political donations to the Labour, National and NZ First parties. He started his career as a reporter at Hawke’s Bay Today in 2013 and has also worked at TVNZ for 1News. After graduating from the University of Waikato with a degree in political science, specialising in international relations and defence studies, Sam obtained a post-graduate diploma in journalism from the Auckland University of Technology. Sam sits as a member of NZME on the District Court Media Committee, which discusses issues raised by the media, judiciary and Ministry of Justice. He is also a keen sports fan and travelled to watch the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. You can contact Sam at sam.hurley@nzme.co.nz.
Former trustee who stole from $1m fund for underprivileged to be released from prison
Stephen Henare is banned from engaging in the affairs of any business, trust or company.
Ex-policeman who raped colleague loses bid for Supreme Court appeal
NZ's top court declines to hear appeal of cop jailed for crimes against policewoman.
Lawyer guilty over false accusation of govt manager hacking social media account
Tribunal describes conduct of lawyer who attacked government manager 'disgraceful'.
Former trustee who drained fund from $1m to $13.41 shows first sign of repentance
Stephen Henare and his sister virtually bled a trust helping underprivileged people dry.
'I am in serious trouble': What rapist cop told Police Commissioner
Former top cop Mike Bush said jailed officer 'is known to me personally'.
Jailed cop phoned Commissioner of Police after sexually violating colleague
Police have declined to release details about the phone call to the nation's top cop.
Ministry of Justice worker dealing meth arrested in carpark
'You'll never be able to work in a job like that ever again', judge tells ex-court worker.
Advance NZ loses debate injunction against MediaWorks
"Reliance on social media 'popularity' is a blunt approach," High Court judge says.
Advance NZ: 'We should be at all of these televised debates'
Advance NZ believes it has a 'good prospect' of winning the Te Tai Tokerau electorate.
Jailed former trustee fails in 'cultural shame' appeal bid
The trust, which helped underprivileged people, was virtually bled dry by Stephen Henare.
Cop jailed for rape still employed by police
Despite his criminal convictions, Jamie Foster is still an officer in the NZ Police.
'I am forever labelled as the policewoman who was raped by the policeman'
Police officer raped by her colleague describes the trauma of the brazen attack.
Police officer jailed for six years for raping colleague
The crimes and actions of officers at a motel have raised questions about police culture.
Policeman who raped female colleague named
The officer was found guilty of raping his colleague at a motel while on deployment.
Cop's story changes about night of colleague's alleged rape
Constable says he was nervous after receiving employment investigation letter.
Officer finds policewoman 'hysterically crying' after alleged rape
"I said I was sorry, I didn't know what else to say ... it was a crime scene now."
Police rape trial: 'I did not cheat... I was sexually assaulted'
The defence claims the incidents between the two officers was a "pre-arranged hook-up".
'I am telling the truth' - female cop questioned over rape claims
Alleged victim says she is 'extremely thankful' CCTV filmed much of the evening.
Police rape trial: 'I should've been safe, I was with police colleagues'
Several officers participated in drinking games, including using a modified police baton.
'I woke up to pain' - female cop describes alleged sex violation by colleague
Defence claims the allegations are a case of regret about the night's events, not rape.
Cop on trial accused of sexually violating colleague
The accused policeman denies the allegations against him during last year's Waitangi Day.
Top cop accuser: 'I'm happy knowing he is no longer in police'
She also wants change to how alleged victims are treated in blue on blue investigations.
Top cop retires after sex assault acquittal
Detective Inspector Kevin Burke had been suspended since April 2017.
Former Māori fund trustee jailed over $1m fraud with sister
Two siblings conspired to empty a trust account and splurge the money on themselves.
Building product company faces criminal charges
Commerce Commission charged Global Fibre8 Limited and its director Tangi Tuake.
28yrs' jail: Boss of NZ's largest meth factory loses appeal
Brownie Harding says he was pressured by judge and lawyers to plead guilty.
$1m splurge: Māori trust manager admits fraud
Stephen Henare lied to the Māori Land Court about the money he was stealing.
Former trustee accused of swindling $1m
A brother and sister have been prosecuted after $1m disappeared from a trust account.
Largest meth factory ringleader wants day in court
Brownie Harding oversaw the largest methamphetamine lab in New Zealand.
Name stays secret for police officer charged with indecent assault
The incident came after officers were allegedly seen drinking from a baton-shaped glass.
Double fatal accused couldn't leave hospital bed for court appearance
A Northland mother and her toddler were killed in a car crash during the weekend.
Police officer accused of sex attack on fellow cop
A police officer is accused of sexual crimes against a fellow officer.
Top cop trial: 'Due process has been done'
The detective inspector says he now wants to spend time with his family.
Top police officer not guilty of sex crimes
Detective Inspector Kevin Burke was on trial accused of sexual assaults.
Manager jailed for stealing $1.2m of Waitangi Trust cash
Wallace "the Tory" Te Ahuru stole $1.2 million to fund his extravagant lifestyle.
'One punch' punishments a balancing act
A one punch offender's punishment can go higher depending on their intent.
Kidnapper argues victim's account was prejudicial
Two women feared for their lives after being beaten and bundled into a car boot.
Employment Court orders Ministry of Justice into mediation
Pay negotiations between are set to resume this week... by court order.
Former trustee faces trial over $1m fraud
Stephen Henare allegedly helped his sister transfer the funds into personal accounts.
Mangawhai man accused of toddler's murder named
A man accused of murdering a 2-year-old has appeared in court.
Ministry of Justice workers strike, walking out of courthouses
District and High Courts are closed to the public for two hours today.
Ministry of Justice workers vote on strike action
Female employees at the ministry are paid 15 per cent less than men, union says.
Jailhouse snitch's lies 'had no impact' on Tamihere jury
Secret witnesses' lawyer says it's unlikely false evidence influenced 1990 jury.
Double killer's weapons project laid bare
Quinn Patterson's cache of weapons was bolstered by a former soldier.
Northland double killer's weapons supplier sentenced
Michael John Hayes supplied machine guns to double-murderer Quinn Patterson.
Former trustee sentenced over $1m theft
The money was stolen from a trust which helps underprivileged people.
'I intend to clear my name' - Commodore fights embassy toilet camera charge
Criminal trial looms for NZ's former top military attache.
New charge laid against senior police officer accused of sexual crimes
Detective Inspector Kevin Burke is due to go to trial next year.
Northland shooting: Police complete investigation into double-killer
Psychotic gunman Quinn Patterson killed two people during a property inspection.
Serial child sex offender has prison sentence reduced
Darren Jolly's criminal history includes more than 110 convictions.
Youth justice funding as age increases to 17
The justice system is in crisis and failing children and families, says the Government.
Commodore allegedly put camera in NZ Embassy toilets
Police allege secret camera was in NZ's Washington embassy toilets for many months.
Revealed: NZ's top military attache accused of indecent filming
The Kiwi accused of making an intimate video in our US embassy is a top military diplomat.
Witness C revealed: The story behind the secret Tamihere informant
Jailhouse witness who lied at David Tamihere's 1990 double-murder trial can now be named.
Witness C unmasked as double murderer
Name suppression revoked for man who testified in the trial for killing of two tourists.
Top cop to stand trial for sexual violation, indecent assault
A top police officer will go to trial next year.
Serial offender jailed for 11 years for shooting at fleeing cop
Serial offender sentenced to more than a decade in jail after firing on police officer.
Olympian's teen sex trial: 'A hidden, dirty little secret'
The former Olympic star is accused of sexually assaulting three young girls.
First testimony at Olympian's teen sex trial
Arthur Parkin, a three-time Olympian, allegedly assaulted girls in the 1970s and 80s.
Senior cop named in sex assault case
A senior detective has denied allegations of sexual violation and indecent assault.
Inside honey's criminal black market
Honey industry losing millions annually as apiarists are hit by organised crime.
Man faces manslaughter charge after death of teen at traffic lights
Eli Francis Holtz died after he was assaulted in downtown Auckland during the weekend.
'I've shot them ... they're dead on the lawn'
Exclusive: Quinn Patterson was ready to die, and was preparing to do so for some time.
Man arrested over supplying of guns to killer
A man has been arrested for allegedly supplying arms to Northland shooter Quinn Patterson.
Revealed: Earlier police visit to gunman's house
Police had previously visited the property after concerns about an illegal structure.
Quinn Patterson's 'loss of quiet enjoyment'
Quinn Paterson once enjoyed western films and a quiet life in an idyllic Northland bay.
Suspected Northland gunman 'protective' of his property
The man who fatally shot two women has been described by neighbours as "a loner".
Shot in cold blood: Mother, daughter in shooting tragedy named
Two women dead, man injured in 'out of the blue' shooting.
Schoolkids face rough voyage off island
School hires skipper to ferry students off Great Barrier Island in rough weather.
Dog-dragging incident: 'Horrible accident'
A dog owner said incident that saw a dog dragged to its death was a "horrible accident".
SPCA investigate reports of dog dragging
SPCA investigating a report of a dog being dragged behind an SUV in the Far North.