Luke Kirkness
Sport Planning Editor
Luke Kirkness has worked for NZME since 2017, operating in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.
I love sports and telling stories so you could say being a sports journalist is living the dream for me. Growing up in Otago, I thought I'd end up farming but instead found my way to journalism and haven't looked back. I started working for the Herald in 2017 casually on weekends before taking on a full-time role as the evening breaking news reporter. I moved on to the consumer affairs round in 2019, spending two years on that desk before moving from Auckland to Tauranga to become an assistant news director in the Bay of Plenty. In 2019, I was named the New Zealand Student Journalist of the Year. I love getting out of the office and spending time reporting on the ground. Since I started, I've covered every major story, including the Nelson fires, the Christchurch massacre, the Whakaari/White Island eruption, general elections, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Cyclone Gabrielle. I’m currently an online sport editor at NZ Herald, based in Auckland and covering all sports. I'm working towards becoming a newsroom editor. I like having a good laugh, meeting new people and telling stories in non-traditional ways.
Check out Luke’s latest content
Three prison workers killed: Booze, fatigue likely factors
Three prison workers died after the van they were in crashed into a truck in May 2019.
Gangsters' paradise: Police figures reveal the gang capital of NZ
There were 1058 gang members in October 2017 in the Bay. Now there are 1493.
Boozed Kiwis: The alarming figures around our lockdown drinking
Young people are drinking less but they are still behind most emergency department chaos.
100 people went to Kmart and The Warehouse, how many scanned QR codes?
Data shows tracer app use is plummeting. We took to the streets to find out.
Danger looms as NZ beaches heat up again - and may keep warming
After cooler December, NZ coastal waters are heating up again. Will they keep warming?
Deluge to hit NZ: Where and when the rain will strike
Weather will become widespread today, with heavier falls expected overnight.
One new Covid-19 case in managed isolation
There is also a historical Covid case to report today.
Four new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation
One of today's cases is an international mariner staying in Christchurch.
Eleven new Covid cases - all in managed isolation
There are no new cases in the community today.
Authorities testing crew on Brisbane infection ship; 1 new imported Covid case
There were zero new cases of the virus yesterday.
Four Covid cases in managed isolation; 1 historical case probed
The suspected historical case has been transferred to a quarantine facility in Wellington.
Two new Covid cases in managed isolation
One case came from London, the other from Bangladesh.
Twelve new Covid cases - 10 from same Air India flight
It's possible we could see more cases linked to flight from India on September 26.
One new Covid-19 case in managed isolation
The positive case arrived in New Zealand from France via Singapore on September 25.
Two new Covid-19 cases in managed isolation
There were no new cases yesterday, however, someone escaped managed isolation.
No new Covid cases; Ministry's school holiday warning
There were two new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand yesterday, both in managed isolation.
Brrrrrr: Auckland plummets to 1C as winter freeze grips NZ
The coldest place in NZ was -4.2C.
Three new Covid cases - all on same flight from India
As cases skyrocket across the ditch, NZ went 2 days without a new case but now has 3 more.
One woman claims all four Lotto First Division prizes
The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, won herself a cool $570,000.
Covid is back in NZ - Two cases from the UK
Yesterday marked a total of 24 days since there was a new confirmed case in the country.
No new cases - now 24 days without Covid-19
The total number of confirmed cases in the country remained at 1154 as of 1pm yesterday.
Lucky in lockdown: Manawatu couple win $13.2 million
The couple bought their tickets on MyLotto after forgetting to buy them in-store.
Weather: Settled start to Easter before cold, wet weather hits
A powerful storm is brewing and could hamper spirits on Easter Sunday and Monday.
Auckland, the city everyone loves to hate. Here's why you shouldn't
Here's 10 great ways to enjoy your time in Auckland.
Major crime bust: Police seize $3 million in assets
The mass seizure included 37 high performance vehicles, cash, drugs and firearms.
Pain at the pump: Prices could reach $3 a litre in NZ
Whether the attacks have a short or long term disruption will determine its impact.
Mt Kilimanjaro death: Kiwi's heartbreaking final text message
Before Brett Clark passed away he was able to send one final text message to his son.
$154,000 raised for family of man killed at Auckland traffic lights
More than $154,000 has been raised for the family of Zhengwen Alan Hu.
Outrage as mum gets child to drive on Auckland motorway
The motorist spotted the child driving along the motorway earlier this evening.
Four guards injured during attack by inmates at Paremoremo Prison
Paremoremo Prison contains the only specialist maximum-security prison unit in New Zealand
Watch: Courier drivers caught on camera throwing packages
Two courier drivers have been caught throwing packages between delivery vans.
'Pretty grim scene': Two bodies removed from plane wreckage
Raglan resident describes the aftermath of the crash as "a pretty grim scene".
Country mourns: Thousands pay respects to Grace Millane
UK trust says it's never seen an outpouring of support like that shown for Grace Millane.
'Absolutely devastating': Horror weekend on NZ roads
This year we are heading for a record on the roads, and it's not a good one.
Spring brings significant lift in property listings, QV reveals
There has been a significant rise in listings since Spring began last month.
Shocking footage of brawl at Massey High
One person can be seen pulling an object out of their sock and lunging at someone.
Spring 'just around the corner'
Rough start to September but the super-Spring weather isn't far away.