Jo Raphael
The New Zealand Herald has more than 200 journalists across the country, bringing you the stories that matter on our website and app, in print and across our social media platforms.
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 Jo’s latest content
Jo Raphael: I'm proud that we’re a nation of helpers
OPINION: Hopefully, lower temperatures and heavy rain will bring relief to the country.
Jo Raphael: Hitting the brakes on fleeing drivers
OPINION: Trying to outrun the police is stupid, dangerous and reckless.
Opinion | I upped sticks and moved to Aussie - the grass isn't greener, so I came home
OPINION: Yes the work perks are better but what about missing your family?
Jo Raphael: We need to get back on track with childhood immunisations
OPINION: Imagine a baby having to deal with whooping cough. It’s absolutely unthinkable.
Opinion: Street racing law blows a lot of smoke, but no real consequences
Opinion: It was hoped the threat of car crushing would be a deterrent to illegal racing.
Jo Raphael: Embrace AI, but let's play it safe
OPINION: It's good to know educators are preparing for it.
Jo Raphael: Grow some vegetables to shrink the cost of living
OPINION: It’s good to know there are people out there ready to help others.
Jo Raphael: Paws for thought - why dogs are better than cats
OPINION: Dogs are as attached to us as we are to them.
Jo Raphael: Protection of retail workers is paramount
OPINION: Retail workers don't deserve to go to work fearing for their lives.
Opinion: Rugby club housing plan epitome of blue-sky thinking
OPINION: Necessity is the mother of invention.
Jo Raphael: Elderly abuse is despicable, predatory and selfish
Because of love and family ties, the elderly are often silent victims.
Jo Raphael: Lockdown anniversary brings back tough memories
OPINION: We’ve learned a lot about ourselves over the past three years.
Jo Raphael: New series aims to help families navigate cost of living crisis
OPINION: I don't know how some families are coping.
Opinion: careers are built on blood, sweat and tears
OPINION: Hard work is core for success.
Opinion: Support the teachers who support our children
OPINION: Our teachers need more support.
Opinion: Time for more focus on financial literacy in schools
OPINION: Kids need to be told the realities of how money works.
Opinion: Retirees shouldn't be on the bones of their backsides
Jo Raphael says Kiwis should enjoy the fruits of their labour in their golden years.
Jo Raphael: We must take the bad with the good - we can handle it
OPINION: These days it’s like we’re all punching bags.
Opinion: Brainless scumbag looters soaking up precious police time
OPINION: One Hawke’s Bay village has resorted to blockades to deter looters.
Cyclone Gabrielle shows how real the threat from climate change is
OPINION: The impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle are utterly devastating.
Jo Raphael: Even my dog is more prepared for an emergency than I am
OPINION: Soggy Shaky Isles forces need for emergency preparedness.
Jo Raphael: Personal attacks on ex-PM shameful
OPINION: At least eight people were charged with threatening to kill her during her term.
Jo Raphael: Young people to be praised for their NCEA efforts
OPINION: Our young people are unfazed by small failures.
Jo Raphael: Make a plan if you're refixing your interest rates
OPINION: Rising interest rates are causing stress for some homeowners.
Jo Raphael: Drenching puts dampener on holidays
OPINION: It’s time to break out the wet-weather contingencies.
Jo Raphael: New Year's resolutions need stickability
OPINION: Congratulations — you made it to a new year, now what will you do?
Jo Raphael: Ease up on the booze for a clear head
OPINION: We're no longer consuming alcohol like we used to
'In past couple of weeks it's hit me that life really is a survival game,' says mum
OPINION: Christmas appeals bring joy to many of our families in the Bay.
Jo Raphael: Plan changes will be good for our cities - let’s grow up
OPINION: Jo Raphael asks, if not here, then where?
Jo Raphael: Trikafta funding huge coup for cystic fibrosis community
OPINION: The rollercoaster ride has ended with good news.
Comment: Happy as working from home
OPINION: Covid has made working from home more acceptable.
Jo Raphael: We need public buy-in to drive green initiatives
OPINION: The way forward is to make green initiatives attractive.
Jo Raphael: Fun can turn to terror in the blink of an eye
OPINION:Our water safety senses need to be heightened.
Jo Raphael: Private sales of fireworks should fizzle out
OPINION: Fireworks are annoying and cause more harm than good.
Comment: Let's hear it for the Very Good Boys and Girls
OPINION: We all love a Good Dog story.
Jo Raphael: Return of events sure to create pressure points for struggling sectors
OPINION: Let's make this summer a great one for everyone.
Jo Raphael: Cruise ship passengers a sight for sore eyes
OPINION: Welcome, the Bay of Plenty is open for business.
Comment: Keep your dog under control in public
OPINION: As a dog owner, I understand there's a time and a place for leashes.
Jo Raphael: Emergency housing pain can't hide in the shadows now
OPINION: It's a sore, left to fester and now we're in crisis.
Jo Raphael: AIMS Games' triumphant return important to kids
OPINION: I wish AIMS Games was around when I was at intermediate.
Comment: Why New Zealand should study wiping student loans
OPINION: The move would go a long way to easing the burden of debt
Opinion: 'There's one thing I don't mind my taxpayer dollars going towards'
Let's get Trikafta over the line for cystic fibrosis sufferers.
Jo Raphael: Our local elections need lively debate, discussion and competition
OPINION: Some fields are wide open, while others are a cakewalk.
Jo Raphael: Operating behind closed doors is undemocratic
OPINION: It's time for councils to stop operating in secrecy.
Opinion | Pay healthcare workers properly and make the job more attractive
OPINION: The shortage is now. The need is acute. Patients and staff are suffering.
Jo Raphael: Since Nia Glassie's death, innocent children are still dying violently
OPINION: Since Nia's death in 2007, 174 children have been killed.
Jo Raphael: Fluoridation of water supplies Bloomfield's parting shot
OPINION: Fluoridation just one step in helping people make better oral health choices.
Jo Raphael: Scumbag ram-raiders' rampage needs to be stopped
OPINION: Scumbag ram-raiders need to be deterred from their trails of destruction
Jo Raphael: Our lives are in the hands of others on roads
OPINION: There's no excuse for bad driver behaviour.
Jo Raphael: Winter ills and chills just as disruptive as Covid
OPINION: It's time to look at how to adapt with a second wave of Covid looming.
Jo Raphael: Forking out for a 15 per cent surcharge?
OPINION: It may be distasteful to some, but let's turn a blind eye to a surcharge.
Jo Raphael: Political cracks widening on gun control in the US
OPINION: Cracks are widening in the US political landscape over gun violence.
Jo Raphael: Life is fleeting - it's later than you think
OPINION: The clock of life is wound but once.
Opinion: Travel post-Covid is a rigmarole
Scrapping pre-departure testing is good, but we need to stay vigilant.
Opinion: Just do something - massacres need to stop
OPINION: US, just do something - anything - to stop the massacres.
Jo Raphael: Beak Peek or Chin Nappy - there's only one right way to wear a mask
OPINION: There is one visible reminder that Covid isn't over and won't be for some time.
Jo Raphael: Women facing uphill battles on many fronts in 2022
OPINION: Women are in a fight for their lives, liberties, equal pay and healthcare.
Jo Raphael: Digger the dog's return proves microchips' worth
OPINION: Digger's year-long adventure has a happy ending because of microchipping.
Opinion: Not many people have come through the pandemic unscathed
OPINION: We all know someone who's been affected by mental health illness.
Jo Raphael: Why I'll still be masking up in public at orange
OPINION: Covid is still in the community, which is why I'm choosing to wear a mask.
Opinion: NZ should expel Russian diplomat
OPINION: We must send a clear message to Russia that its actions are abhorrent.
Opinion: Time to fund Trikafta for cystic fibrosis sufferers
This human misery must end now - it is gut-wrenching to read about young people suffering.
Jo Raphael: Women exercising alone should not face safety threats
OPINION: Having your security threatened takes a long time to recover from.
Jo Raphael: People should be disgusted by charity shop break-in
OPINION: A message needs to be sent that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
Jo Raphael: Drug bosses now paying for their own vile crimes
OPINION: Drug criminals make money off people's misery - and it's disgusting.
Jo Raphael: Why I'm avoiding Covid like the plague
OPINION: The sooner we get out of this peak, the sooner we can get on with our lives.
Opinion: 'Shooting a little girl?' That is not war. That is a war crime
OPINION: We might have problems in NZ, but look at what's happening in Ukraine.
Jo Raphael: Supermarket profits are obscene - fix it now and don't pay lip service
OPINION: It's time we had more choice and power when it comes to buying groceries.
Jo Raphael: Find the money elsewhere - teachers shouldn't pay extra for certificates
OPINION: Teachers don't deserve to have to pay more for practising certificates.
Jo Raphael: Thuggish behaviour leaves a stain on our history
OPINION: We need to be united to heal the wounds Covid has caused.
Jo Raphael: Putin's a ruthless tyrant and we should be outraged
OPINION: We should all be outraged over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Jo Raphael: Dangerous, chaotic and filthy - protest needs to be shut down now
OPINION: Give us back our capital.
Jo Raphael: Loss of Rainbow Springs would leave a big hole in Rotorua
OPINION: When tourism does eventually return, these visitors need places to visit.
Jo Raphael: Don't waste your breath spouting conspiracy theories
OPINION: The Big Boost Campaign is on.
Jo Raphael: Your dog is better off at home by himself
OPINION: Rover should stay at home while you run your errands.
Jo Raphael: Travel is the light at the end of the tunnel
OPINION: It's time to restore the tourism balance.
Jo Raphael: No special treatment - Djokovic should be deported
OPINION: The minister should stick to his guns and cancel the visa.
Jo Raphael: Pests are a problem but prevention is key
OPINION: Critters are a part of this world and we have to do our best to live with them.
Jo Raphael: Buy now, pay later alcohol needs more oversight
OPINION: Alcohol on buy now, pay later services can be tempting, but not a good idea.