Ben Leahy
Reporter
Ben Leahy is a reporter for the New Zealand Herald.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Ben’s latest content
One dead and two injured in Whakatāne crash
A person was airlifted to hospital but sadly died later, police said.
Whakaari ash plume silhouetted at sunrise
Gas and steam spewed out of White Island this morning.
Rawiri Waititi’s dad dies in Bay of Plenty
The Māori Party co-leader says his dad died peacefully this morning.
McDonald’s apologises after NZ, global stores couldn't serve food
A global software outage left customers unable to buy Big Macs at stores nationwide.
'No place for novices': Briton died on Mt Ruapehū after tackling steep slope without safety rope
It took more than eight hours to get Emma Langley off the mountain.
'High danger': Risk avalanches could hit Ruapehu mountain huts, skiers warned
'There is a very real risk of avalanches around club huts', mountain operator says.
One dead and another airlifted to hospital after crash near Rotorua
Police are examining what happened in the serious crash.
One dead after car veers off road and into Taupō building
Police are investigating the cause of the single-vehicle crash.
Potentially thousands of HB residents yet to be contacted - PM; reports of more victims
Cyclone Gabrielle has claimed an eighth victim.
Live: 'We have no water' in Gisborne, morgue at Napier port; seventh body found
Cyclone Gabrielle has claimed a seventh victim.
Live: Morgue set up at Napier port; seventh body found; 37,000 HB homes powerless
State of emergency still acute in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay, PM says.
'It's getting worse': Heavy rain, wind as Gabrielle hits NZ; cyclone's latest track
Evacuation centres are today being opened as category three Cyclone Gabrielle bears down.
17 rain, wind warnings/watches as Gabrielle looms, Harbour Bridge may close tomorrow; Air NZ cancels multiple flights
Evacuation centres are today being opened as Category 3 Cyclone Gabrielle bears down.
Live: 17 rain, wind warnings/watches for entire North Island as Gabrielle looms; cyclone's latest track
Evacuation centres are today being opened as category 3 Cyclone Gabrielle bears down.
2000 homes without power in Coromandel town; yacht washes ashore
Stormy weather causing problems as it moves south.
'Rocked out of bed': Morning earthquake shakes Taupō
Taupō Facebook users have reported a 'strong' quake rattling their homes this morning.
Covid: 4540 new cases; 473 in hospital, 16 deaths
Case numbers are trending down. Has NZ turned a corner with the virus?
Covid in NZ has 'turned a corner': 496 in hospital today, 16 virus-linked deaths
"We are continuing to track at the lower of what modelling suggested this winter."
Eight Covid deaths and 5202 new community cases
Today there are also 332 people are in hospital, four of them in intensive care.
Covid update: 6635 cases, six deaths today as some schools reintroduce mask wearing
There are 400 people in hospital with the virus, including 12 in intensive care.
Almost 1 million cases since Covid arrived in NZ - rolling average rises again
The seven-day rolling average of new cases shows numbers are up on a week ago.
13 new Covid deaths, including person aged between 10-19
Person aged between 10 and 19 is one of 13 people reported to have died with Covid.
Volcanic unrest elevated at Mt Ruapehu as scientists monitor tremors
Mt Ruapehu has been subject to elevated tremors for weeks, but eruption not expected.
One dead in car crash east of Rotorua
Police are investigating the cause of the crash on SH30.
Storm warning: Severe cyclone winds, heavy rain set to strike North Island, Auckland Harbour Bridge faces closure
Cyclone Dovi is to close roads and bring damage as emergency teams on standby.
Live: MIQ worker tests positive for Covid, 29 community cases
Officials are keeping a close on eye on Omicron cases at the border.
Coming down - only 63 new cases as Aucklanders prepare to leave city
Aucklanders will be rushing out of the city this week for the first time in four months.
Covid-19: 98 new cases as Aucklanders flock to cafes and cricket pitches
Aucklanders are celebrating their freedoms with community cricket and cafe breakfasts.
Watch: 92 new community Covid cases as Aucklanders grab a beer, hit the gym
There are now 79 people in hospital, including nine in intensive care.
Live: 172 Covid cases ahead of traffic light move; 10 new cases near Nelson
Eighty-six people are in hospital and nine are in intensive care.
Record 129 Covid cases today, 51 people in hospital
Today's cases hit a new record.
Covid: 41 new cases, Auckland woman connected to Northland pair tests positive
More than 70,000 Kiwis have already received a vaccine as part of Super Saturday.
14 days here? Returning Kiwi can barely move in 'prison cell'-sized MIQ room
The man also fears Covid spreading in the Rotorua hotel as guests asked to queue indoors.
Live: NZ may not return to zero cases, level 1 still possible - Bloomfield
Aucklanders queued for McDonald's last night. Now they are getting their morning coffee.
Shock and awww: Mum had no idea she was pregnant until baby arrived
Karla Akuhata thought she was having period pain. Then her baby's head popped out.
The 10 Covid Delta cases: Here's what we know
The 10 cases include an AUT student, an Avondale College teacher and a tradesman.
Sport cancelled, road warnings issued as wretched weather strikes
Heavy rain watches are also coming into force for the North Island's upper east.
Discount debacle: Customers overcharged at 70 supermarkets
Shoppers overcharged on discount specials at Pak'nSave, New World and Four Square today.
No new Covid-19 community cases, three in MIQ
The three new cases in MIQ come from France, the Maldives and Guatemala.
NZ suspends travel from India to combat surge in Covid cases
Ban on travellers from India begins on Sunday and will remain in place until April 28.
'Not super fun - but doable': Morrison urges women to get smears after Allan reveals cancer
Early tests for cervical cancer can save women's lives, The Hits host says.
First-home buyers big winners, prices 'could tumble 10pc'
Investors have been targeted with tax changes to help stem soaring house prices.
Buyer beware: Warning over common contract clause that can cost home buyers
Single mum Madhu bought a new Auckland home but wonders if she'll ever get to move in.
Live: Freedom beckons? No new Covid community cases - Cabinet meets
Today's Covid community results could play a big part in bringing lockdown to an end.
Family sell house for $980,000, but cannot afford to buy new Auckland home
George and Lee just made a big sale, yet still can't afford suitable home in Auckland.
Covid-19: One new case in managed isolation
There is one new case of Covid-19 in managed isolation - but none in the community.
Family with Covid-19 had private home viewing; No new community cases
Three people attended the viewing in Papatoetoe.
Less than $300k to buy in Epsom: Check out 2020's cheapest house sales
Find out where you could've bought a classic timber villa for just $15,000.
Investors buy record share of homes as first-home buyers squeezed
The biggest housing boom in two decades is taking its toll on first-home buyers: analysts.
Vacant land sales soar as developers rush to cash in on housing demand
Pundits hope a jump in vacant land sales helps ease Auckland's pressing housing shortage.
Where to go to escape Auckland's skyrocketing house prices
Can you achieve work-life balance and pay less for your home?
New Zealand's flashest homes: Take a moment to dream
Lockdown might even be a joy if you owned one of these stunning properties.
Revealed: 2020's most expensive home and its All Black billionaire owners
Luxury house sales boomed again in 2020 even without foreign buyers.
Another Pakistani cricketer tests positive for Covid-19
The squad member was one of the three cases reported as under investigation yesterday.
Science agency charged over White Island eruption stands by its people
GNS Science says it will carry on monitoring and alerting Kiwis to volcanic activity.
NZ already has a capital gains tax - you probably just didn't know it
There is a capital gains tax already on the books, it's just not enforced: Researchers
Ghost town: Photos show CBD deserted apart from queues at testing station
Aucklanders face nervous wait as authorities consider imposing tougher Covid restrictions.
New house buying frenzy tipped as funding fuel poured on property market
If you thought house prices were high, they could be about to rise even further.
Hot property: The Rotorua home selling for $110,000 with a catch
Talk about an overheated market: this Rotorua property deal is boiling hot.
Seven new Covid-19 cases in managed isolation
New Zealand is in its second week without community infection. Can it continue?
Why you're not seeing any political news right now
You may be wondering why you aren't reading myriad election articles today.
Modest Auckland home sells for $2.4m - and it wasn't bought by a developer
Developers have been paying big bucks. Now homes are becoming too expensive for even them.
Two new Covid cases in managed isolation
Health officials with today's case numbers update.
Exclusive poll: How Kiwis are really feeling about house prices
Should house prices rise or fall? Kiwis have their say and it may surprise you.
Election 2020: What's the plan to tackle the housing crisis? Policies compared
How the main political parties plan to deal with house prices and a shortage of homes.
Barfoot & Thompson, others call on National to back Healthy Homes standards
National wants to scrap new rental standards. Leading agent urges party to reconsider.
'Deeply disappointing': Landlords advised to hold off on heating until election result
Labour calls landlord advice 'deeply disappointing' and letting down their fellow Kiwis.
Calls for compassion for 'embarrassed' family at centre of outbreak
The family are reading nasty messages on Facebook, and it isn't helping the situation.
Set for second wave: Govt and businesses prep for new hit
Kiwi companies prepare for possible second wave as households urged to stock face masks.
One new Covid case - man in his 40s who flew from Africa
The man was in managed isolation
Worker who lost fingers packing pet food wins court payout
Bay of Plenty woman packing dried pet food had her fingers burnt and crushed.
House prices: Find out what your suburb's Auckland Council CV could have been
Auckland Council delayed its three-yearly CV estimates. Here's what they could have been.
The housing market change first-home buyers are begging for
First-home buyers are battling to save deposits. This change could make a huge difference.
No entry: Duo stuck in NZ, with belongings 2500km away
Covid shut-out: "Everything is in Australia, except us."
The jobs Kiwis don't want: 1000 jobs on offer but employers can't fill them
Essential workers are screaming for help. But the borders are closed to foreign workers.
15 days of zero Covid cases, one stubborn case left - latest mask advice
New Zealand continues its march towards level 1 with no new cases today.
Busy roads, rain and possible floods: Hurdles for the long weekend
Motorists urged to take care during exodus to holiday hotspots.
Why house prices must fall - and why the news isn't all bad
Experts and investors take a deep dive into what to expect from post-Covid house prices.
House prices tipped for 7% fall, despite lockdown success
Westpac tips house prices to fall 7 per cent by the end of this year.
Revealed: What Ardern, Bloomfield earn and what their pay cuts will be
Prime Minister outlines 20 per cent pay cut for all Government Ministers.