Samantha Hayes (born 25 April 1984) is a New Zealand journalist and newsreader, best known for co-anchoring Three's flagship news programme Newshub Live at 6pm.

[citation needed] Hayes played representative netball for South Otago while at high school and competed in dressage, showjumping and eventing.

[1] In 2005, Hayes relocated to New Zealand’s capital city Wellington to finish her Bachelor's degree, where she hosted, produced and announced news on Radio Active 88.6FM, including the midday Sam 60 show and the arts and culture-focused Caffeine and Aspirin.

[7] During her career at Three, Hayes was appointed the network’s Australia correspondent based in Sydney, and anchored Newshub special programmes, including the 2023 New Zealand General Election,[8] the 2016 and 2020 US Elections, the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle,[9] and ten days of live coverage from London after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 including a special programme on Her Majesty's funeral.

Discovery confirmed plans to liquidate its Newshub news service in April 2024, Stuff reached an agreement with Warner Bros.

[13] In July 2018, Hayes won series 7 of the New Zealand version of Dancing with the Stars with her professional partner Aaron Gilmore.

[24] Hayes is a recreational mountain climber, including completing ascents of Ruapehu and Taranaki in New Zealand, and Mt Aconcagua in Argentina.