About

Katie Ham is a freelance journalist and writer based in Tokyo, Japan.

She began her career in the Stuff Auckland newsroom, before moving to The Post and Sunday-Star Times in Wellington, where she worked as a senior reporter covering crime, justice and investigations.

Her journalism has focused on major criminal investigations, high-profile missing persons cases and the inner workings of the justice system, contributing to active homicide inquiries and examining the pressures shaping modern policing.

Katie’s work is grounded in human-centred storytelling, with a focus on the individuals and lived experiences behind broader issues.

She was named Best Student Journalist at the Voyager Media Awards in 2023, and received the Alex Veysey Award in 2022.

The Veysey Award is named after the legendary Wellington journalist who matched hard-working professionalism with an appreciation of life and culture. Peers vote for the winner, who is said to epitomise Veysey’s love of life and ability to find a story wherever he went.

Now based out of Japan, she writes across travel and culture, with a particular interest in stories that explore place through people.

When time allows, Katie continues her crime and investigative reporting.

Her work has been published in a number of major national and international mastheads, including: Stuff NZ, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sunday-Star Times, The Japan Times, The Post, The Press, Radio New Zealand, The Spinoff and Capsule NZ.

She has also presented TV story packages on Three News’ 6pm bulletin.

Katie graduated with a Distinction in Postgraduate Journalism from Massey University, NZ and First Class Honours in her undergraduate in Philosophy from the University of Bristol, UK.