Anna Leask, specialist in crime and justice reporting for the New Zealand Herald, has covered some of New Zealand’s biggest events, incidents, tragedies and disasters.
Anna Leask is a senior journalist and crime and justice specialist for the New Zealand Herald. From a young age, Anna was an avid storyteller and writer so it was no surprise to anyone when she chose journalism as a career. Anna studied Mass Communications and Sociology at Canterbury University before completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism in 2005. This led her to her first job at The Star in Christchurch. She spent two years there covering all things crime and court and then made the move to the Herald on Sunday. In 2010, Anna became a police reporter, a role that soon came to be much more about broader crime and justice issues, particularly the people involved. Anna has covered some of the most high-profile crimes and events New Zealand has seen. To name a few, the Pike River mine disaster; the Christchurch quakes; and the unprecedented four-day sentencing of the gunman responsible for the 2019 terror attack. Alongside her daily reporting Anna writes, hosts and produces monthly episodes for the chart-topping podcast 'A Moment In Crime' which won a silver award in the true crime category at the inaugural New Zealand Podcast Awards in 2021. You can contact Anna at anna.leask@nzme.co.nz.
Pensioner held hostage, violently assaulted before alleged offender shoots at police
A man is in custody after a firearm was discharged at police in the Bay of Plenty.
Caught with phone in prison: Parole refused again for killer of Scottish tourist
Scottish tourist Karen Aim's killer reveals he thought violence towards women 'normal'.
'Reminded every day': Sole survivor of crash that killed four football mates ready for answers
Crash survivor wants answers.
Murder of a tourist: The shocking killing of Karen Aim
A Moment In Crime podcast gives in-depth look into the murder of tourist Karen Aim
Man who brutally murdered tourist as a teen says killing ‘an accident’
Scottish tourist Karen Aim's killer reveals he thought violence towards women 'normal'.
Watch: Police probe Brian Tamaki's alleged threat to destroy vax clinics
Tamaki made the alleged threat during a sermon yesterday.
Internal investigation under way after youths try to escape Oranga Tamariki facility, prompting police callout
An incident at Rotorua's Youth Justice Centre is under investigation.
Man facing raft of charges after gunpoint car theft and AOS callout near Taupō
Dramatic arrest in the bush near Taupō after alleged gunpoint car theft.
Rugby star Sean Wainui's death investigated as 'suspected suicide': Coroner
Death of rugby star Sean Wainui is being treated as suspected suicide, says Coroner.
Head Hunter posed as courier, breached lockdown for gang funeral
Gang member caught out via social media post after allegedly lying to cross border
Arrest after Covid-positive man's escape from MIQ, hours in the community
The man has Covid-19 and was in isolation at the facility.
Fast food provides comfort in troubled times
Experts explain why Kiwis raced out to queue for fast fried food and coffee as L3 dawned.
'Threedom' south of Auckland; police - good compliance at checkpoints, some cars turned away
The latest on New Zealand's Delta outbreak and the fight against Covid-19.
Police cop $24.3m repair bill to 9000 cars over 6 years
Police have spent more than $24 million on repairs to damaged cars since 2015.
Prince Philip funeral details revealed; Prince Charles' tribute to 'my dear Papa'
Funeral details are revealed for Prince Philip's funeral, but it won't be a state affair.
Christmas killing: Family speak after alleged murder of father-of-five
Wipatene Mason died after a violent incident on Christmas Eve, 'traumatising' his family.
'Hooked': Louise Nicholas' daughter on meth battle; mugshot shows addiction reality
Weighing 45kg, face covered in sores, teeth fallen out, she was at the peak of addiction.
Whangamatā teen riot: $6000 of stock stolen, Blackies Cafe roof damaged
Mayor slams 'self-indulgent brats' for the trouble.
Wicked, cruel, pitiless mass murderer jailed indefinitely
The man behind the Christchurch terror attack will never be released from prison.
Cruel, depraved 'monster': Mosque gunman will never be released from jail
Christchurch mosque gunman Brenton Tarrant will never be released from jail.
Backpacker murder: Teen who killed tourist with baseball bat declined parole
'Parole is declined. There is much work for Mr Broughton to complete.'
Backpacker murder: Teen who killed Karen Aim to face Parole Board for first time
The teen who murdered Scottish backpacker Karen Aim is making his first bid for parole
Grace Millane murder: Accused's actions 'inexcusable' but trial process 'miscarried'
The man who murdered British backpacker Grace Millane is appealing his sentence.
Grace Millane's killer appeals conviction and 17-year minimum jail sentence
The man who murdered Grace Millane appeals his conviction and sentence
Tauranga man jailed for sharing footage of Christchurch terror attack
Man jailed for sharing footage of the Christchurch terror attack with eight people.
Desert Rd death: Man jailed for role in alleged shallow grave murder
Judge says Yanlong Piao provided "extensive assistance" to police.
St Johns shooting: Second murder charge likely, trial date set for charged pair
The man charged with murdering Clifford Umuhuri has appeared in court today
Teen murderer escaped more than an hour before Oranga Tamariki staff noticed
More details emerge on how a teen killer escaped from a youth justice residence.
Killer on the run: Teen murderer missing from Youth Justice facility
Teen jailed for brutal murder escaped from a Youth Justice facility on Friday.
Louise Nicholas' daughter gets home detention for supplying P
Louise Nicholas' daughter Jessica has been sentenced for meth offending.
Licences, WoFs and regos extended under lockdown
They will stay valid for six months due to the Covid-19 shutdown.
White Island tour guide survivor Jake Milbank out of hospital, into isolation
White Island explosion survivor Jake Milbank has been discharged from hospital.
Desert Rd human remains: Man at centre of homicide investigation named
Name released in homicide investigation after body found buried off Desert Rd.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Confusing stay-home message clarified
Stay home means just that, say authorities as beach & cycling trips ruled out in lockdown.
Coronavirus: Retired cops may be back on the beat to bolster under-pressure frontline
Former cops may be called back to help in the fight against Covid-19.
West Auckland double death: Six children left without a mother, family reeling
Family of dead Auckland mum and newborn fundraising to support six surviving children.
'Parent's worst nightmare': Louise Nicholas' daughter's meth charges
The daughter of victim advocate Louise Nicholas is facing sentence for meth supply.
White Island eruption: Defence boss' fears for recovery heroes
Defence boss speaks about heroic soldiers and their battle to bring Whakaari victims home.
'Come home Tip': Victims' families left on the shore to stare out to sea
To anyone who didn't know, the space would be postcard perfect, writes Anna Leask.
'We will return': Police vow to recover lost loved ones from White Island tragedy
The question is when, with the risk of another eruption having increased.
'Nothing less than a hero': Skipper risked life to save others
Details emerged of how Paul Kingi put his own life in danger to save others.
Grace Millane murder trial begins today: The key people and what to expect
Everything you need to know about the trial for the man accused of murdering Grace Millane
McLaren Falls death: Offender has jail term quashed
Woman jailed in relation to gang killing has sentence quashed due to unfair court report.
Abusers of toddler Nia Glassie in and out of jail
Whatever happened to the five people jailed over the abuse and murder of Nia Glassie?
Woman connected to Nia Glassie toddler murder admits new assault charge
One of the people charged in relation to Nia Glassie's death has admitted a new assault.
Gangbusters: Patches on the rise as NZ gang scene 'revitalised'
Bay of Plenty is the district with the most gang members, with 1359 on the list.
Offender connected with high-profile child murder case faces fresh assault charge
High profile child abuser before the courts after alleged theft, assault incident
Winter isn't coming New Zealand - it's here, and it's cold, brace yourselves
Temperatures dipped below zero overnight as snow blanketed parts of New Zealand.
Farm worker jailed for life for brutally killing ex-wife
A man who murdered his ex-wife in front of their toddler has been jailed for life.
Police reveal how they caught alleged Christchurch gunman
Police who dragged alleged gunman from car following shooting refuse to be called heroes.
The Chase: 'No quick fix' for pursuits and calls for ban on chases
Police Association has welcomed a major review into pursuits.
Police pursuits: Review wants study into why drivers flee
A major review of the police pursuits policy has been released today
The Chase: major review of police pursuits to be released today
A joint review of the police pursuits policy is set to be released today.
The Chase: Son urges drivers not to flee cops
Today the "Herald" launches "The Chase" - a four-day series about police pursuits.
The Chase: 'I'm not at peace' - pursuit death haunts cop
'I thought "Jesus Christ this is my fault, this is my fault, this is really bad".'
Xi Wang brutally stabbed to death by ex as she held her 2yo son in her arms
Shocking details have emerged about the brutal murder of Flat Bush mum Xi Wang
Man admits murdering ex while their son was home
Rotorua farmer Ephraim Beazley has admitted murdering his ex-wife Xi Wang in December.
Flat Bush murder: Victim's friends finally free to share her story
Friends of slain Flat Bush mother Xi Wang speak out about the "amazing" woman.
Flat Bush homicide: Ex charged with murdering his young son's mother
The woman killed in her home on December 10 can now be named.
Hero cop saves 3 girls from drowning at Lake Okareka
An off duty cop saved three little girls from drowning at a crowded Rotorua lake beach.
Judge tells Grace Millane's family 'your grief must be desperate'
New details about the man accused of murdering Grace Millane can now be revealed.
Coroner rules two men died after using synthetics
The Coroner has ruled that using synthetic drugs led to the deaths of two men,
Man who allegedly pulled trigger at cops named
Arapeta Hiraka, 36, has appeared in court on a raft of charges.
Under fire top cop pulls out of speaking gig
Embattled deputy police commissioner Wally Haumaha will no longer speak at conference
Revealed: The 10 Kiwi crims with the longest prison stints
The Herald can reveal who the longest serving inmates in NZ prisons are.
Under fire top cop to speak at justice conference
Under fire top cop Wally Haumaha is set to speak at international justice conference.
Budget 2018: $300m boost for police 'commended'
Funding was a key election promise and part of Labour's coalition agreement with NZ First.
Youth justice funding as age increases to 17
The justice system is in crisis and failing children and families, says the Government.
Exclusive: Oriwa Kemp's fight for her baby
One of the people jailed over the death of toddler Nia Glassie wants to keep her new baby.
Oriwa Kemp speaks about Nia Glassie, life
Oriwa Kemp was jailed for the abuse of Nia Glassie. Today she speaks for the first time.
Moko's legacy: New tribute song for child abuse victim
A song launched today is set to make child abuse victim Moko Rangitoheriri's legacy Shine.
Moko's death inspires anti-violence song
An anti-violence song has been inspired by the brutal death of toddler Moko Rangitoheriri
The life and times of NZ's most 'notorious' crim
EXCLUSIVE: Dean Wickliffe has spent more time in prison than any other Kiwi, bar one.
High profile criminal may be recalled to prison
Dean Wickliffe has been released and recalled to prison five times between 1987 and 2011.
Crash survivor credits Herald with saving him
Seatbelt campaign saves a life: 'I read the article and it made sense'.
Pensioner burgled four times in 10 days
Rotorua pensioner says spate of burglaries 'unbelievable', but refuses to let thieves win.
High-profile criminal granted parole
Dean Wickliffe is one of the country's longest-serving prison inmates.
Friends rally to support fire survivors
Friends of a heavily pregnant woman who survived a house fire have created a Givealittle page.
Nia Glassie abuser pregnant again
Oriwa Kemp is pregnant again, just months after CYF removed a child from her care at birth.
Tributes flow for family killed in fire
Tributes are flowing for a young mum and dad and their baby son who were killed in a house fire.