Isaac Davison is a health reporter for the New Zealand Herald and has a special interest in inequality, public housing, alcohol and drug reform, and euthanasia.
Isaac Davison started at the Herald in 2008 on the night shift, before moving to Tauranga to report on the Bay of Plenty. He was later the science and environment reporter, a role in which he covered the Rena oil spill disaster and the Christchurch earthquakes. He spent six years at the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington, where he closely covered two general elections in 2014 and 2017. In that time, Isaac also covered the legalisation of same-sex marriage in New Zealand and reported from trips abroad to Antarctica, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and the Marshall Islands. In 2020, he was awarded runner-up for Feature Writer of the Year (Social Issues) for his reporting on historic sexual abuse at Dilworth School. Before journalism, Isaac studied English and History at the University of Auckland and wrote his Masters thesis on the great New Zealand poet Allen Curnow. You can contact Isaac at isaac.davison@nzme.co.nz.
Family of Ariki Rigby weep in court as man charged with murder appears
Police made a breakthrough two years after the Hawke's Bay killing shocked the nation.
'I apologise': Israel Adesanya in court on drink driving charge
The UFC superstar arrived at court supported by an entourage.
'Can't control it': The worrying trend among Kiwi kids that has experts alarmed
Children in the study wore body cams to track their television, online and games use.
Kidney dialysis services ‘at breaking point’, regional patients forced to drive two hours for treatment
Sector warns services are stretched, understaffed and facing growing demand.
Half of surgeons assessed for using surgical mesh did not meet minimum standards
It comes as the Ministry of Health considers a pause on mesh implants for some operations.
Trans students: How schools should handle pronouns and names
A teacher was struck off after refusing to use a trans student's chosen name and pronouns.
Flatlining: $11b health shake-up yet to help struggling frontline staff, 'urgent problems'
Your guide to the big health reforms - and whether they're working or not.
Two deaths from whooping cough in New Zealand, low vaccination rates mean spread is more likely
Vaccination rates were "seriously low" after the pandemic disruption, officials said.
Inside Auckland's emergency bunker as Cyclone Gabrielle rages
"No one gets a get out of jail free card," an official said as the storm approached.
Covid vaccine available to under-5s with high health risks from today
Expert welcomes extension of vaccine, but wants more under-5s to get access.
NZ study showing higher rates of heart disease after Covid jabs should be treated with caution - expert
The study provided further reassurance about the safety of the vaccine, an official said.
'It all came crashing down': Long Covid turns fit adventurer into bedridden patient
Rose was a thriving, adventurous 38-year-old - long Covid has turned her life upside down.
One in five infections in NZ report Long Covid symptoms, many struggle to get help
Govt is now being told to set up Long Covid clinics and properly educate doctors.
‘Kindest man’ and his ‘mini-me’: Beach drowning victims remembered
Ian and Samuel Cruickshank drowned when they were swept out to sea at Opoutere Beach.
Let them sleep in: Later school starts for senior students a ‘no-brainer’ - researchers
The evidence is clear. So why have so few New Zealand schools changed their start times?
Summer Covid wave keeps retreating, latest case numbers released
The Ministry of Health has released new Covid infection numbers
How NZ will honour Elizabeth, PM praises 'incredible woman'
New Zealand will hold a memorial service and a proclamation ceremony in coming days.
Eight Covid cases in managed isolation; Air NZ staffer tests positive again
There are no new community cases today.
Two new Covid cases in managed isolation
The Air NZ staffer visited Auckland pet store, later tested positive in China.
Two new Covid cases at border; probe into possible infection of Air NZ staffer in China
An Air NZ cabin crew member with "possible" infection is in managed isolation in Shanghai.
US Election: Result hangs in balance as Trump threatens action
It could be another day or two before the next US president is known.
Election 2020: What's the plan for welfare and child poverty? Policies compared
Labour is offering the carrot, National the stick, and other parties want a new approach.
Private schools charging full fees claim $11.7m in Govt wage subsidy
Private schools say the loss of international students during lockdown has hit them hard.
Coronavirus: Total cases rise to 52, two of them not travel-related
"At this point, we cannot rule out a risk of community transmission."
Delay to trans bill 'deeply disappointing' - Greens
Law change would make it easier for trans people to change sex on their birth certificate.
The 'relentless' rise of P in New Zealand: 'This is becoming a plague'
Meth-related offending has now overtaken cannabis in New Zealand.
Night sweats? 20C overnight, could surpass 35C today
Further temperature records could tumble in the South Island this week, say forecasters.
Use of developers for social housing 'short-sighted'
The shift towards developers comes as the wait list for social housing nears 12,000.
Letting fees gone, replaced by 'tenancy fees'
Tenants will no longer face letting fees from next month - but landlords will.
Country of origin rules for food watered down
Country of origin labelling in NZ is back on track, but with a few changes.
Attacks on ED staff 'simply part of the job'
More than 100 cases of abuse were recorded on hospital staff in a month.
Medical cannabis for son big financial toll on family
A family finally has access to legal, medical cannabis. But the costs are crippling.
Compo possibility for tenants evicted over meth
Housing NZ's response to the meth contamination scare will be reviewed.
Govt urged by unions to approve mega-prison
A 600-bed boost to prisons will not solve overcrowding, unions say.
Govt has 'pulled anchor' on economy - National
The Govt spent, taxed and borrowed more in the Budget for little gain, National says.
Greens happy with smaller share of cash
Greens counted around $610m in Budget wins, compared to $2.8b for NZ First.
$76m boost for family violence services
Extra cash 'critical to turn around tragic family violence record'.
Farm limits an 'assault on the regions': Bridges
The Government wants to limit farming run-off and intensification.
National will reverse oil ban - Bridges
Govt's ban on new oil exploration is a "wrecking ball" for regional NZ, National says.
PM defends oil exploration ban, despite critics' outcry
Labour's immediate ban on new oil exploration has been met with a strong reaction.
Govt's 'audacious' target of zero deaths on NZ roads
"Target of zero deaths is audacious, and it's also been successful," Health Minister says.
Tale of two cities for Jacinda Ardern
It was a tale of two cities for Jacinda Ardern on the campaign trail today.
Ardern to PM - 'Don't be complacent'
Jacinda Ardern is promising that Labour will run the "campaign of our lives".
NZ's native birds 'in trouble'
A third of NZ's native birds could soon go the way of the moa, a damning report reveals.
Youthful Greens trio race up party list
The Green Party has taken a punt on its young, high-profile women candidates.
NZ river given legal status of a person
We've heard about giving corporations the rights of a person - but what about a river?
Talks begin on Mt Taranaki Treaty claim
Talks have begun on the "most severe" Treaty grievance in the country - Mt Taranaki.
PM confirms election date
New Zealand will go to the polls on September 23, Prime Minister Bill English announced this afternoon.
Little dismisses Mana as 'irrelevant'
Labour leader Andrew Little has all but ruled out forming a post-election coalition with the Maori Party or Mana Movement.
Bill English welcomed on to Ratana Pa
Bill English's arrival this afternoon was uneventful compared to his first Ratana visit in 2002 - also the first by a National Party leader.
Bridges and Adams on the rise in Cabinet
Simon Bridges and Amy Adams have received big promotions in a new Cabinet as Judith Collins falls down ministerial rankings. Read the full list here.
Second fight over seabed mining looming
A hikoi plans to deliver a 5000-signature petition to MPs calling for a moratorium on all seabed mining in New Zealand.
Bring me home, Kiwi begs John Key
A New Zealander locked up in an Indonesian jail has made a personal plea to Prime Minister John Key to help get him home.
Patch cost volunteer prison role
The Corrections Department says it was prepared to back an ex-gang affiliate working in prisons until it found out he was a patched member.
Paula Bennett receives death threats
Bennett says she will not be put off making public appearances despite an online threat which said someone should "shoot the b**** dead" at her next public outing.
Defeated PM defends $26m flag vote
INTERACTIVE: John Key says he is disappointed New Zealanders have voted to keep the current flag but has promised his Government will not revisit the issue.
MP accused of driving into protesters
Police question National MP Chester Borrows over claims he drove his car into Trans-Pacific Partnership protesters.
All legal highs banned
The Government will ban all synthetic drugs within two weeks until they can be proven to be low-risk, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has revealed.