Kurt Bayer is NZ Herald's South Island Head of News based in Christchurch, covering the South Island and stories of national interest.
Kurt Bayer is South Island Head of News for the NZ Herald based in Christchurch, covering the South Island and stories of national interest. He has been with the Herald since 2011. Prior to being at the Herald, Kurt spent a decade working with a national news agency providing coverage for regional, national and international publications including The Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Daily Express, Sun, The Times, Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian, and Scotsman. Since 2011 post the Christchurch earthquake, Canterbury has provided a busy beat, with more quakes, royal commissions of inquiry, long-running insurance wrangles, plus the ongoing fallout from the Pike River mine disaster, the March 15 terror attacks, and high-profile murder cases like the ‘Black Widow’ Helen Milner, the Ashburton WINZ slayings, and dozens of others. While often reporting on live and breaking stories, Kurt also has an interest in covering military history, leading the Herald’s WWI centenary coverage and ghost-writing the Sunday Times number one bestseller, The Forgotten Highlander, as well as antiquaries, cricket, and quirky human interest stories. In 2021, he was named Voyager Media Awards Crime & Justice Reporter of the Year while also winning Regional Journalist of the Year. In 2017, he went to write about the South Island Gumboot Throwing Championships and came away with the longest throw of the day and an invitation to compete at the national championships, finishing fourth – behind Dame Valerie Adams. You can contact Kurt Bayer at kurt.bayer@nzherald.co.nz.
Live: Auckland, Northland, Coromandel brace for month's rain in two days
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he has a close eye on sub-tropical storm.
Fears 'extremely dangerous' gunman fled South Island on domestic flight
Police confirm shooting suspect is in Hawke's Bay area but is "extremely transient".
Wanted: Global manhunt for NZ gangster on the run
Image of fugitive Shane Ngakuru published for the first time.
'I'll never forget you': Hero saves drowning family
A man who had been watching some swimmers heroically saves four from drowning in a rip.
US lawsuits claim White Island tourists unaware of danger; graphic new details
The 2019 eruption claimed 22 lives.
NZ's shocking summer continues: Child dies after incident at waterfall beauty spot
As of this evening, there have been 28 water-related deaths across NZ.
Live: Positive Covid case in Blenheim the 'kick up the backside' the South Island needed
Infected person isolating and believed to be connected to Te Awamutu cluster.
Operation Trojan Shield: Why did cops spill on fake phone app?
The 'sting of the century' has resulted in 800 arrests worldwide, including across NZ.
'Meet a Muslim': National roadshow ahead of mosque attacks anniversary
'Ignorance leads to misunderstandings,' says imam touring NZ.
Destiny Church: Concerns over 'Apostle' Tamaki's latest venture
'Apostle' Brian Tamaki has also written a new book.
Underarm 40 years on: 'What a stupid way to finish a great game'
Kiwi batsman reveals his on-field view of infamous sporting moment.
Never again: How will NZ prevent future terror attacks?
Royal commission report into Christchurch mosque shootings released this afternoon.
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.
Mosque attacks sentencing: 'This is a day for justice that we have long been waiting for'
The sentencing of the convicted mass killer begins in Christchurch today.
Mum's grief, frustration: Slain officer's relatives quarantined in Rotorua
Matthew Hunt's overseas relatives confront quarantine and top cops publicly break down.
Police shooting: Frustration as slain officer's family quarantined out of town
Constable Matthew Hunt's funeral likely to be delayed because of Covid quarantine rules.
Coronavirus: NZ officials probe possible community cases
Elderly told to stay at home, pubs and clubs to stay open - with restrictions.
Gasps in court as accused gunman pleads not guilty
Survivors and family members reacted with gasps when the not guilty pleas were entered.
Fine holiday weather for most this week
Thunderstorm warning for inland North Island, but otherwise mostly fine.
Wife dies of 'broken heart' three days after husband
Taupo couple Denzil Lovell, 84, and Hazel Lovell, 78, died 3 days apart.
Meth plague at record levels, P-related arrests nearly doubling
Meth is spreading across NZ at record rates.
Gang member jailed for Mongrel Mob funeral ambush
Gang member Tuterangi Moeke jailed for ambushing Mongrel Mob funeral.
$3.1 billion: House sellers still cashing in
House sellers across NZ are still cashing in despite some markets cooling off.
NZDF gets extra $360m
Defence Minister: "Funding will help the Defence Force meet increasing demand."
Canterbury's rebuild gets $300m boost
Cash boost could fast-track new stadium and residential red zone development.
Poppy Appeal to help NZ's veterans
Ambassadors help launch RSA's annual Poppy Appeal
'Boy' star seriously injured in car crash
Messages of support for James Rolleston after vehicle he was travelling in hit a bridge.
How rapist's crimes tore a family apart
The father of one of child rapist Robert Selwyn Burrett's young victims says the sentence is too lenient, given the damage Burrett has done to his daughter.
Ministry investigation after rapist jailed
Shocking case of child rapist Robert Burrett prompts a Ministry of Education investigation. WARNING: Some readers may find content distressing.
Calls to save UK Maori meeting house
Custodians of the only Maori meeting house in Britain are calling for a $500,000 refurbishment to save it from falling further into disrepair.
Riot: 'A lot of fire & smoke'
Beer cans were 'flying everywhere' and police say it was pure luck nobody was killed in the massive New Year's Eve riot in Gisborne which ended in 63 arrests.
How online Casanova worked his victims
He wined and dined her, even asked her to marry him. Then one day she woke up and he was gone - with all her belongings. One woman's wary tale of love.
Online fraud hurt victims 'very badly'
An online Casanova who preyed on vulnerable and lonely women he met on internet dating sites before ripping them off has today been jailed for two years and four months.