No, I Don't Get Danger Money: Confessions of an Accidental War Correspondent

by Lisette Reymer

A no-holds-barred account of what it was really like to cover some of the most dangerous and extraordinary moments in recent history



'I woke up every day expecting to fall asleep in a different country. A blur of breaking news, airports, body armour, border crossings and bomb shelters. And wads of foreign cash.

We were charging on adrenaline and there was no place we wouldn't have gone.

Okay, except Russia. But only because the President's not my biggest fan.

I didn't get paid danger money. I would have done it all for free.'

A world away from the Waikato farm she grew up on, Lisette Reymer suddenly found herself reporting from one of the most dangerous places on earth. And she kept going back.

Driven by a desire to tell people's stories, wherever they are; the right stories, not the easy ones - Lisette's time as Europe Correspondent coincided with some of the biggest global headlines in decades.

From inside Ukraine to the Queen's death, the war between Israel and Gaza, Donald Trump's indictment, the King's coronation, the region's deadliest natural disaster in a century, the Tokyo Olympics, the hunger crisis in Ethiopia and a revolving door of UK prime ministers; she has seen and done more in three years than many journalists do in a lifetime.

This is a funny, brutally honest account of what it was really like to cover some of the most perilous and extraordinary moments in recent history.

Take your seat. It's in the front row.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2025

About the author

Lisette Reymer now works at Stuff as Senior Journalist - International and National Affairs.

Lisette's work in Ukraine saw her win won Reporter of the Year at the NZTV awards for 2024; Best Reporter at the 2023 Voyager Media Awards as well as Best Coverage of a Major News Event.

Reviews

[Emma Rose Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the acknowledgements page. Rated it 5 stars. IYKYK

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars but rounding up.

This was an interesting read about some key history-making moments of recent years told through the perspective of a NZ foreign correspondent. This offered a unique behind the lens look at what goes on behind the TV bulletin especially in high-stakes places like war-torn or natural disasters-stricken places and the chaos that can go on to get the news bulletin out live on air.

Where I struggled with this book was in some parts, it was quite repetitive and drawn out. There was only so many times I needed or wanted to read about booking flights etc. So sometimes it was quite a boring read. But mostly it was an interesting read despite that. Worth a read if journalism or history are your interests.

[Tash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely tore through this book! What an amazing deep dive into the life (off-camera) of a news correspondent. I'm equally in awe and envious of Lisette's expeditions to report on some of the biggest historical news events over the past 5 years - from the death of the Queen, to the war in Ukraine. This book is written like a novel, full of laughs but also lots of grief. This book is an absolute must-read!

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read & interesting life Lisette has had so far! What a cool kiwi 🙃

[Amanda Nicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, fantastic read

[✧.*aleks·˚ ༘ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this entire book felt like i was meeting up at the pub with reymer and asked her how her trip went. hilarious, confronting and overall serving as fuel to my goal to become a correspondent.

[Kate Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. As a Kiwi myself there was much to connect to, and to ‘get’. As a reader there was lots to learn about the reality of what I had been watching unfold around the world. Her experiences on the job made for a both horrifying but sometimes fascinating read. Awesome book.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had my heart in my chest reading most of this! An incredibly intense few years for her as Europe correspondent, such bravery reporting in Ukraine especially. Was I the only one hoping for a picture of Dmitry?

[Zoe Litchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew going in that I would love it - as I am huge fan of Lisette's news coverage. But oh-my-god was this book incredible. I didn't want to put it down. Perfect mix of funny memories, harrowing details and devastating stories. Loved every page.

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never enjoyed her on TV, her work lacked personality, and so did this book. The only two things I learned about her were that she fell for James Bond type guys and couldn't be responsible enough to carry her own charger. The book is barely scratching the surface of events she was describing. She completely failed to see why her reporting on Israel received so much backlash, and she regretted not interviewing any Palestinians - so why didn't she express any regrets about not interviewing Russian soldiers?
She got some much hype from people's suffering - that felt wrong. I'm Ukrainian, so this really got under my skin.
Bonus point for using correct spelling of Ukrainian places and people's names.
I wouldn't recommend this book.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisette Reymer,
Kiwi girl journalist bit of a country bumpkin, half city slicker. I reckon its still necessary unbiased mainstream reporting. When nowadays anyone can create a following of "sensibles or wackys"

Something about a real book, over audios takes longer but nicer when you hear your inner voice, cringe.

Anyway this is part emotional and peripheral of a whole pile world news from scary to hilarious.

Not just Ukraine explosions, missiles and buff special forces security guys she covers French riots, Queen Elizabeth passing, Trumps on going court case, Ethiopian relief agencies, Israel Gaza and more.

My takeaways.

Curious and funny way to do therapy instead of doing the actual therapy, after every Ukraine trip replaced it with hanging in a Polish bar drinking gins with cameraman Daniel until the early morning hours, and then after all that forgetting something important, until the Sarah's the bosses called.

Spain Madrid, leaders pow wow accidently wearing the same dress as our former PM Jacinda Adern, hilarious people calling her out for not changing, like who the heck walks around carrying another set of clothes, nobody.

When eating a hot breakfast of scrambled eggs sausages hash browns, took precedent over nearby missiles exploding and running to the bomb shelter and eating it all cold, classic.

Nikita the fixer on 3rd trip to Ukraine,
Seems to be a Russian sympathiser and very suspicious.

Calling out Jacinda for not going to Ukraine, when new UK pm was going instead sent Henare Peeni, bonus was getting a police escorted journey so alot faster.

Apparently

Kiwis will run away from the camera as if its a gun

British will say what is the question regarding

French will say speak no English then walk away talking English to whomever they are with.

Americans see a camera and are attracted to it like a magnet, and answer any question, talk about stuff even if they know nothing about it.

Also London flatmates Oda and Eavan remain friends, chef and thief big no.

New flatmates. Ed she knew before and Ethan, could pass off as a special forces guy.

Anyway was a pretty good read.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Live from the battlefield, Lisette Reymer has reported extensively on the War in the Ukraine providing some great insights into the effects of the battle on the civilians. Reymer also covered the death of Queen Elizabeth and the coronation of King Charles. "No, I Don't get Danger Money" is a gripping read with lots of anecdotes both terrifying and humorous.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

superb.

[Kathryn Fathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a amazing book and life. easy to read. such a brave young woman

[Debbie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appreciated & enjoyed Lisette's time as Europe / International / Senior Correspondent. Thanks for the background story.

[Mary Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read, amazing young woman with nerves of steel!

[jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10

[Winston Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. She’s a phenomenal kiwi journalist and so interesting she talks seriously about reporting from war zones

[Dermot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive and I couldn’t help thinking exaggeration was used in several of the situations described in the book.
Good to see coverage paid for overseas but would have been great to see more in depth analysis of the tv or news industry