Raphael Franks is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on breaking news, crime, transport and human interest stories.
Raphael hails from Christchurch but made Auckland his home in 2022. While attending Christchurch Boys’ High School from 2014 to 2018, he worked in Coca-Cola Amatil’s bottling plant; and while studying geography at the University of Canterbury, he worked in retail. Marking a total reversal in career ambitions, Raphael was offered the opportunity to join the Te Rito Journalism Cadetship programme in 2022, funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund. Through this, he got experience working in some of the country’s largest newsrooms and some of the country’s smallest. He began working for the Herald in the same year. During this time, Raphael has covered the Auckland Anniversary Floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, two different shootings on Queen St and another on Ponsonby Rd, the closure of Newshub, the slimming down of TVNZ, and other major news events of the day. You can contact Mr Franks on 027 436 5668 or at raphael.franks@nzme.co.nz.
Young dad faces raising children alone after 'devoted mother' dies in crash
'My next steps are to honour my wife and raise my children.'
'Whole lives ahead of them': Siblings killed in horror Rotorua crash
'My girl is dancing among heaven’s flowers,' victim's widower says.
'Injuries are severe': Biker fighting for life in hospital after horrific triple-fatality crash
Fundraising to support Tautini Capper and his wife has so far raised just over $12,000.
Grief-stricken motorcycle community planning final ride for victim of crash that killed three people
Motorcyclist mates determined to give beloved rider the send-off she would have wanted.
'Ride free brother': Second motorcyclist killed in triple fatal 'will never be forgotten'
Three people died in Saturday's crash. Lesley Brooks, 46, was a mum of three.
'Lost something we weren't willing to give up': Rider killed in triple fatal crash a mum of three
Lesley Brooks, 46, was a member of the Road Pirates MC. Cause of crash remains in doubt.
Grieving family of nurse killed in crash mourns ‘bubbly’ girl whose last act saved lives
'We know that her life made a difference and it wasn’t wasted.'
Neonatal nurse one of two women killed in rural Auckland crash
Tegan Hill, 25, was working in her "dream career" when a crash claimed her life.
'Watching pornos a reason to go to jail': Barbs fly between senior Māori MPs over haka row
Rawiri Waititi defends party's MP after she copped criticism from Shane Jones.
'Bad start for holidays': Days of rain from midweek, MetService issues first warnings
Month's worth of rain to drench Bay of Plenty; snow forecast for south.
Auckland scientist’s death on Mt Ruapehu a ‘freak accident’ climbing with friends
Wednesday Davis died on Saturday after falling while climbing Mt Ruapehu.
Snow for Desert Rd, Interislander ferries cancelled as polar blast hits country
Rain forecast for most main centres. Auckland to hit 15C high, fall to 9C low overnight.
Te Pāti Māori wants Māori Parliament, issues declaration of independence
Police say the thousands of protesters were 'well behaved'.
'Lower than low': Coastguard building, digger fire: Man arrested, charged with arson
Police arrested a 37-year-old after report of a break-in last night.
Coroner names Christopher Taukiri as man shot by police near Matamata
Taukiri allegedly pulled a gun on police and another person. His funeral was on Tuesday.
Missing boat of man who fell overboard, spent day floating in ocean, found 170km away
Will Fransen, 61, fell off the boat and spent 24 hours floating alone on January 2.
Scorcher! Temperatures of up to 31C expected as people return to work
In Auckland, MetService has forecast highs of 26C through to Friday and 18C lows.
Government gives Ruapehu Alpine Lifts another bailout
It is the fourth multimillion-dollar bailout since November last year.
Lake Taupō tragedy: Coroner rules on death of couple found floating on shore
Trevor Wiringi, 50, Helen Smith, 49, both of Rotorua, were found dead on October 16, 2020.
Who is the fairest Kiwi town of them all? Finalists for competition announced
Keep New Zealand Beautiful has shortlisted two towns for each category for its comp.
Sports games cancelled in Auckland as polar blast, thunderstorms kick off school holidays
Snow will be welcomed by skiers, including those going to Tūroa and Whakapapa on Ruapehu.
Weather warning: Thunder, hailstorms ahead of severe gales across country
A cold, unstable sub-antarctic blast will bring gusts up to 90km/h and heavy showers.
'Thanks for sticking with us, we are set to open': Embattled Ruapehu ski operator says after Govt loan
RAL makes statement after Govt offered $5 million loan to ensure ski season goes ahead.
Roads flooded in Tologa Bay, warning upgraded: Weather watches extended across NI
Heavy rain watches issued for Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty.
Live: Slip closes SH2 at Karangahake Gorge, SH25 Coromandel, more rain coming
Slips have closed highways and roofs have been ripped off as the downpours begin.
Easter holiday weather: Heavy rain to hit upper North
MetService has forecasted gales and downpours for Northland, northern parts of Auckland.
Secondary and primary school teachers to strike next Thursday nationwide
Several schools already announced they would be closed come Thursday.