Neil Reid is a Hawke’s Bay-based senior reporter for the New Zealand Herald who has covered some of the country's biggest news and sporting events since 1992.
Since graduating with a Diploma in Journalism in 1991, Neil Reid has spent the past three decades on the frontline of the New Zealand media landscape. During that time, he has been a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery – covering several elections – and a raft of live news events including the Raurimu massacre, the fatal Ansett Flight 703 on the outskirts of Palmerston North, the White Island disaster and more recently the deadly Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay. His reporting has also taken him overseas to cover news events, including the 2009 MV Princess Ashika ferry sinking in Tonga which claimed 74 lives. Neil has a huge interest in sport, and as a full-time sports reporter and editor travelled to and covered three Rugby World Cups (2003, 2007 and 2011), two Olympic Games (2000 in Sydney and 2004 in Athens), the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, was ringside at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay for David Tua’s 2000 world heavyweight boxing title fight against Lennox Lewis, and has also covered numerous All Blacks, Kiwis and Black Caps tours. Based in Napier since January 2022, he covers a wide range of news and sport; the latter including a passion for the East Coast rugby team and Napier City Rovers football side. Away from daily reporting, he has also written three books; including ghostwriting former Black Caps star Craig McMillan’s 2009 autobiography, Out of the Park. Neil can be contacted neil.reid@nzme.co.nz. You can follow him on Twitter at @NeilReidnz.
Millions of cubic metres of silt cleared from Cyclone Gabrielle hammered sites
An award-winning silt taskforce nears major a milestone in cyclone-hit Hawke's Bay.
Magpies swap rugby boots for gumboots to help Hawke’s Bay community
Rugby stars give back to the community that supports them so much.
Government told heartland town's 'economic potential' undermined by roads
Council tells Government town's economic potential is "undermined" by roading network.
'Quite disappointing': Heartland rugby boss calls for governance battle to end
There is a push for any new national board to look after the game at a grassroots level.
Inside the rural factory keeping a village afloat, one pair of socks at a time
A woollen goods factory is defying the odds, in the process keeping a Kiwi village going.
'I didn't want to drown': 82yo crocheted for hours in caravan swept away by floodwaters
Laughter has been one of Cyclone Gabrielle survivor's coping strategies a year on
The kind-hearted footballers who ditched the pitch to help Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
When wild weather hit, generous players swapped their football boots for gumboots.
Cyclone Gabrielle: First came the rain, then destruction and death
Cyclone Gabrielle forever changed the lives of many in Hawke's Bay a year ago.
The hunt: Fugitive dad Tom Phillips urged to give up, police told to offer reward
More than two years ago Marokopa dad vanished with his three young children.
Fight over ex-AB's rugby ground - locals want sport banned on Māori battlefield site
A battle heats up over the home ground of a grassroots All Blacks rugby hero.
The hunt: Fugitive dad Tom Phillips urged to give up, police told to offer reward
Almost two years ago Marokopa dad vanished with his three young children.
Former All Black Roy Roper dies weeks after his 100th birthday
Family say they will always "value" former All Black who made it to 100 as a great father
Home by Christmas: The one wish of widow whose home was decimated in cyclone
Sylvia Bell one of an estimated 130 Wairoa residents unable to return home after cyclone.
Cheer amid despair: How $10.3m Lotto win brought joy to cyclone-ravaged Wairoa
A massive Lotto win gave Wairoa residents something to celebrate after a 'tough year'.
'Dealing with them their own way': Vigilante justice, claims looters assaulted at cyclone-damaged homes
'If I was a big burly guy and confronted someone on my property, I would do the same.'
Heartless act: Burglars target family who lost everything in Cyclone Gabrielle
Residents who lost everything in the floods have now been the victims of callous thieves.
Oldest living All Black Roy Roper celebrates his 100th birthday
The first ex-All Black to make it to 100 opens up about his amazing life.
Cyclone Gabrielle three months on: Flashbacks, paradise lost and long winter ahead
Deep feelings of heartbreak and loss remain three months on from Cyclone Gabrielle
Cyclone Gabrielle: Road destruction set to hit Heartland rugby heroes hard
Rugby - a unifying force on the East Coast - will be hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle damage.
Tears and sweat shed as homeowners and volunteers dig in for Gabrielle clean-up
The Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up in Hawke's Bay is a mammoth operation.
Cyclone Gabrielle rescue: ‘I have never loved dad so much’
Tractor used to rescue young grandchildren - community rally around each other.
As an 81yo and her caravan were swept away in the flood, she turned to what she loved: Her crocheting
81-year-old tells of miracle Cyclone Gabrielle survival after caravan swept away
'Appalling and terrible': Rural paradise 'in shock' after body found in torched car
Locals talk of tragedy in 'quiet area' which also has become known for drug deals and sex.
Wine baron who developed Waiheke's first vineyard dies after tractor crash
The late Kim Goldwater's Waiheke Island vineyard was rated amongst the world's top 100.
'Challenging times ahead': Real costs of devastating North Island storms emerge
Long clean-up ahead and millions in uninsured crop and stock loss.
'Danger everywhere': Risk of fallen boulders, trees and mud slips for East Coast roading crews
East Coast road damage includes lanes suddenly falling into rivers.
Men floating down flooded river on a mattress 'reckless and stupid'
Police intercepted the 'lilo' near the Brookfields Bridge.
Gift of life: Volunteers' brave act in East Coast flood
Mercy dash for sick kaumātua stuck on property which now resembles an "island".
The heartland Kiwi town where 22 per cent have tested positive
Ngāti Porou leaders and health providers are tackling Covid-19 head-on in their region.
From prop to Pinot Noir: Ex-All Black's journey from the rugby field to the vineyard
Rugby and wine blend perfectly at ex-All Black John Ashworth's Hawke's Bay vineyard
Dire predicted heartland town death toll: Fears of tangi cluster
Wairoa Hospital has no intensive care capacity or ventilators for severe Covid-19 cases.
All Blacks home truths revealed: How stars are preparing for life after rugby
All Blacks have turned to property in a bid to secure their financial futures.