Kelly Makiha, a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post, specialises in court and police reporting.
I started work as a Multimedia Journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post as an 18 year-old in 1996 and I am still here, loving every single day. I wanted to be a journalist since I was a child and remember making my mum follow the flashing lights of emergency services so I could see what was happening. I started writing for my local newspaper in Timaru when I was a young teen and knew then that this was the job for me. I made the move to the Rotorua Daily Post and it was meant to be a stepping stone but I fell in love with this city, got married and we are now raising our three children here. I have covered all rounds but specialise in court and police reporting and have been chief reporter or assistant editor for most of my career. I am now back doing what I love – writing stories that matter, holding people and organisations to account, celebrating heroes, paying tribute to amazing lost loved ones and using my role to highlight issues to make a difference. Each day I’m honoured to be surrounded by a group of professionals who work hard and believe in what we do.
!['I really miss my dad': How a truck driver's measurement error killed a 'hero' father](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'I really miss my dad': How a truck driver's measurement error killed a 'hero' father
'To the man who took my hero, my daddy, away: You have ruined the rest of my years.'
![Engineer jailed over fraud linked to almost 1000 properties](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Engineer jailed over fraud linked to almost 1000 properties
It's been described as possibly the biggest-ever building industry scam in New Zealand.
!['Malnourished and emaciated': Farmer found guilty in animal cruelty case](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Malnourished and emaciated': Farmer found guilty in animal cruelty case
A jury has reached verdicts relating to an animal cruelty case.
!['Dramatic' collision: Driver sentenced after farmer killed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Dramatic' collision: Driver sentenced after farmer killed
Tamihana Curtis says he blacked out. A judge rejected the claim.
![Name suppression lapses for Taupō man charged with murder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Name suppression lapses for Taupō man charged with murder
The man accused of murdering Brodie Ruatara has appeared in the High Court.
!['You stole my life': How woman survived decades of stepdad's sexual abuse](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'You stole my life': How woman survived decades of stepdad's sexual abuse
Jodie Nicoll has had automatic name suppression lifted so she can tell her story.
![Mother who murdered, abused toddler sentenced to life imprisonment](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Mother who murdered, abused toddler sentenced to life imprisonment
The 18-month-old was malnourished and was covered in bruises, scratches and nappy rash.
![From dreams to jail: Why cannabis growers got involved in 'massive' $4.2m syndicate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
From dreams to jail: Why cannabis growers got involved in 'massive' $4.2m syndicate
Why they did it. The masterminds behind a massive drug-growing syndicate are sentenced.
!['You call that justice?': Sex abuser given home detention](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'You call that justice?': Sex abuser given home detention
Reginald Scouse took a boy to a church and performed a sexual act on him.
![Murder-accused mother on the run recaptured](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Murder-accused mother on the run recaptured
Woman accused of killing of her 18-month-old daughter and who was on the run found.
![Mum accused of toddler's murder cuts off monitoring bracelet, on the run](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Mum accused of toddler's murder cuts off monitoring bracelet, on the run
A mother who was to stand trial for murdering her toddler is on the run.
![Man appears in court following firearms incident](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Man appears in court following firearms incident
A man charged relating to a firearms incident on Te Ngae Rd has today appeared in court.
![Month-long sting catches 130 drink-drivers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Month-long sting catches 130 drink-drivers
Kelly_Makiha_FEB16.eps A month-long sting in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato targeting drink-drivers caught 130 people over the limit. The