David Farrier

David Farrier is a New Zealand journalist, actor, and documentary filmmaker best known for his investigative work on obscure and often unsettling subjects. Born on 25 December 1982 in Tauranga, he was raised in a devout Baptist household and originally pursued medicine before switching to communications at Auckland University of Technology, graduating in 2005. Farrier began his professional career at TV3’s 3 News and became the entertainment reporter for Nightline from 2006 to 2013, where his witty style earned him a national profile. In 2014 he played a fictionalised version of himself in Rhys Darby’s mock‑documentary series Short Poppies, demonstrating his willingness to blur the line between journalism and performance. The breakthrough moment arrived with the 2016 feature documentary Tickled, co‑directed with Dylan Reeve, which exposed the hidden world of competitive endurance tickling and sparked legal battles that highlighted Farrier’s tenacity in confronting powerful interests. The film premiered at Sundance and aired on HBO, cementing his reputation as a fearless storyteller. He followed Tickled with the Netflix series Dark Tourist in 2018, travelling to sites of tragedy and macabre tourism while serving as executive producer and presenter, further expanding his global reach. Beyond film, Farrier has contributed extensively to The Spinoff, investigated controversial figures such as Michael Organ, and launched the investigative newsletter Webworm, which broke major stories about conspiracy movements and abuse scandals. He also hosts podcasts, including The Cryptid Factor, Armchaired and Dangerous, and Flightless Bird, showcasing his versatility across media platforms. Open about his personal life, Farrier came out as bisexual in 2012 and has spoken publicly about relationships, but he remains focused on uncovering uncomfortable truths for audiences worldwide.