Malisha Kumar is a Multimedia Journalist based in the Waikato.
Malisha covers a wide variety of news right around the region. She studied journalism at AUT in Auckland and has previously worked for Radio 1xx in Whakatane before joining NZME in 2023. You can contact Malisha at malisha.kumar@nzme.co.nz.
Person and pet budgie rescued from Hamilton motel fire
Fire and Emergency crews were alerted to the fire at 7.52am.
Pro-Palestine protest disrupts opening of migrant Settlement Centre
The Settlement Centre Waikato postpones its opening events due to a pro-Palestine protest.
Hamilton on track for 520 new state homes this year, hundreds more planned
Of Waikato's 582 new social homes being built this year, 520 of them are in Hamilton City.
Rosemary and Dandelion go from solo kittens to inseparable besties
The duo have distinctive personalities, like getting ‘dumb and smart’ in one package.
Road rage crash: Innocent motorist killed was much-loved family man
Jonathan 'Jono' Baker, 49, was a much-loved husband, father and stepdad.
Homes urgently needed for pets in wake of storms
Gisborne, Napier and Hastings SPCA Centres have run out of space for displaced pets.
Tūrangi puts on spectacular light show with just one drone
Who needs hundreds of drones for a light show? Tūrangi display shows you only need one.
Full steam ahead for Geothermal Week
The event theme highlights the “Immense value of our taonga, our geothermal resources.”
Person in serious condition after being struck by moving car
One person is in serious condition after being struck by a moving vehicle.
Building fire ‘not suspicious’
The cause of the fire was undetermined but "likely to have been electrical".
One person in serious condition after two-vehicle crash involving tractor on SH3
'We treated and transported one patient to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.'
Billion-dollar boss set to leave Tainui Group Holdings
"The time is right for the business, for me, and for my family after 15 years at TGH."
Tips for first-time Fieldays visitors
Opinion: Fieldays is a huge agricultural and technology-based world.
Rescuer runs into Lake Taupō to save driver, then performs CPR
An arborist trained in CPR says he and others went into 'reactive mode' to save the man.
'Great reluctance': Ambulance officer receives KSM, 'embarrassed' to be honoured
Although the KSM honour is positive, Lake said he accepted it with great reluctance.
Cambridge community stalwart dies two weeks before receiving King's Birthday Honour
'It's a hole now for us without such a strong [voice] in the community.'
Abandoned puppy chasing fur-ever home after losing brother
Chase was found underweight and infested with worms, but has made a full recovery.
Funding to help eradicate remaining predators of native species
Pokaiwhenua Catchment Group helps households to trap pests in their backyards.
Drive to get horses microchipped in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle
Disappearance and death of horses during the storm highlighted the need for microchips.
Amazing community space grows people and plants
It's a melting pot of DIY and survival skills, music and a bit of gardening.
Kiwi completes incredible run across NZ and Australia
Curly Jacobs says he soon learned to leave the Aussie wildlife alone.
Top drop: Matamata-Piako District Council a finalist for best-tasting tap water
The council is one of four finalists in the National Water Taste Test competition.
'Distressing' reports of dogs discarded from moving vehicles
SPCA says without enough information it's hard to bring people to account.
Improvised dish a showstopper at special Waikato master chef contest
The Waikato Indian Cultural Society was blown away by Darshana Patel's creation.
Million-dollar donor's long wait for sports centre almost over
Philanthropist says he will be more excited once a construction contract has been signed.
11 puppies found dumped on roadside in Waikato
The puppies add to almost 300 animals already in SPCA care in Hamilton.
Health shuttle fills up after word gets around
Maori and Pacific people live seven years fewer than those of European heritage.
Full steam ahead: Model train show attracts record crowd
NZ, British, European, and American railway prototypes were on display.
Hamilton-based Muslims celebrate end of Ramadan
Ramadan has just ended, but what is this holiday about?
Te Puke's Jorja Mouat to represent NZ at flag football world champs
Non-contact sports were not the plan until a broken leg changed the course of her life.
Matamata Country Lodge celebrates full circle moment
The aged care facility, first opened as a maternity hospital, just turned 100 years old.
Volunteers plant 10,000 daffodils in a Hamilton park
Te Awamutu is next in line for a dose of daffodils.
From rat-infested tip to a thing of beauty: The story of Hamilton Gardens
Peter Sergel tells the history of the world-renowned attraction.
Abandoned cat in SPCA care now looking for fur-ever home
Slug was found in December, malnourished, with four kittens which have since passed away.
Hamilton fence provides canvas for creative kids
"Children don't need to be taught art, they need the space to be art."
Hamilton Zoo tiger cub names reflect connection to Sumatra
The names of the tiger cubs reflect a connection to wild Sumatra counterparts.
Waikato Hospital nursing class of 1964 celebrates 60th reunion
One of the former nursing students shared some of her memories with the Waikato Herald.
Watch: Balloons over Waikato celebrates glorious festival start
Despite the early start, Hamilton Lake and Innes Common were packed this morning.
Waikato woman declared best beauty therapist
"Don't let anyone tell you that being a beauty therapist isn't a real job."
Revealed: Mystery Hamilton Zoo creature 'a new species to NZ'
Hamilton caracal the first of its species in New Zealand since 2022.
Pet projects take centre stage at global animal event in Hamilton
UK Professor claims Greyhound racing is ethical and shouldn't be banned.
Tiny bat rescued from a goldfish pond, ready to return to the wild after rehab
The native bat is being released back into the wild on March 12.
Hamilton pilot becomes city's newest police officer
Constable Dominic Rogerson just started his first week of work for the Police.
Homicide investigation launched, area cordoned off after man found dead on Raglan road
Area searches where the man was found are under way.
Animal welfare in the spotlight at special conference
The conference will focus on issues that are affecting pet owners worldwide.
More than 60 local artists add their flair to Waipa Creative Trail
The five exhibitions will showcase artwork from more than 60 local artists.
Volunteer fireman rescues wife twice in two years
Working for Fire and Emergency has had some life-saving benefits for this couple.
Author battles cancer while writing Coromandel-inspired story
Metastasized cancer was no match for Murray as motivation held him strong.
Staff protest looming cuts to University of Waikato Library
People gathered at the University for a protest against proposed cost cuts.
Festival to celebrate 24th anniversary and 60 years of classic Ford Mustang
This year celebrates 60 years of the Ford Mustang.
Mum pleads for understanding over adult son's screaming bouts
“Pachygyria patients ... may have difficulty controlling some behaviours."
Huge freight company plugs into Hamilton 'the heart of the golden triangle'
Maersk's new facility at the Ruakura Superhub can hold nearly 30,000 pallets.
Fatal police shooting: Sirens, gunshots shock ‘tight-knit’ community
Police said an armed man entered a stranger’s home.
People advised to protect themselves from the flu following deadly outbreak
People reminded about seriousness of common flu outbreaks.
Police fatally shoot man threatening parent and child
Police say the male driver fled during a vehicle stop in Hamilton.
One person with serious injuries after three-vehicle crash near Matamata
One person has sustained serious injuries in a three-vehicle crash.
Apathy plagues turn-out for Hamilton East by-election
Time is running out to vote in the Hamilton East by-election.
Six dead as influenza outbreak strikes NZ aged care facility
Six people died in the space of 12 days as a result of the outbreak.
Creativity 'saved my life': Waipā artists invite locals behind studio walls
The Waipā Creative Trail is set to highlight the role of art in mental wellbeing.
Jetboats roar at Meremere again - for the last time
The Jetsprint Championship is back at Meremere after a three-year hiatus.
Getting from A to B in 2054: The future shape of Waikato transport
Waikato is expected to grow its population from 500,000 in 2018, to 615,000 in 2048.
Smart use of power is helping ease cost of living pressures
The aim of the Healthy Homes Program is to reduce power use by 30 to 40 per cent.
SPCA offers half-price pets as adoption rates drop
Pet adoption rates have dropped, putting pressure on the SPCA.
Thunderbolts and lightning prompt a fitting end to Waikato's Summer Concert Series
Sizzling music on a soggy weekend makes for a steamy Summer Concert Series.
Dad's growling stomach gets in the way of tiger cub gender reveal
The gender of two Sumatran tiger cubs born at Hamilton Zoo have been revealed.
Minister talks up four-lane highway from Waikato to BOP
Construction kicked off today on the $43.5 million dollar Piarere roundabout.
Waikato foodbanks 'desperate' for donations
Vinnies Hamilton is deciding if they should limit food parcels to six per family per year.
Cultural advisor had to choose an English name in her own school years
Te Ao Marama Maaka remembers the day her Māori identity was taken from her.
Businesswoman dedicates career to normalising Māori culture
Simpson's goal is to improve outcomes for Māori, for current and future generations.
Clam spread in the spotlight as thousands descend on Lake Karāpiro
Waka ama paddlers and gold clams go head-to-head.
Thousands arrive for big week of waka ama
Thousands of paddlers descend on Lake Karāpiro for waka ama contests.
From NZ cricket grounds to South Africa, Hamilton boy's dream come true
A Hamilton local's dream is to be a part of the Black Caps one day.
SPCA feeling the squeeze with peak kitten season still to come
Kitten season is triggered by warmer summer months when cats are seeking to mate.
Hamilton Zoo’s tale of two tigers
Hamilton Zoo has welcomed its first Sumatran tiger cubs since 2014.
An unforgettable birthday: Waikato couple welcome 2024's first baby
The first baby of 2024 arrived at the Waikato Hospital at 12.01am, January 1.
Mystery Creek transformed into giant Scout camp
A national jamboree is under way in Hamilton, bringing thousands to the area.
Waikato Hospital sees steady patient numbers while Taupō Hospital’s double
Taupō Hospital’s patient numbers have rocketed since Christmas.
Christmas Day fire in Waikato town leaves one injured
One person sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Waikato hospital.