In the 19 years I have been a crime and justice reporter I have told countless stories about offending in New Zealand - who is behind it, who is hurt by it and the lasting impact. 

I’ve covered a lot of the really high-profile cases during that time - including more than 130 murders, and dozens upon dozens of prosecutions and trials for manslaughter, sexual assaults and abuse, domestic violence and child abuse. 

I’ve also written a lot about our country's most enduring cold cases and best-known historic crimes.

In today’s episode of A Moment In Crime I wanted to take you back through some of the other cases I have written about. These cases may not have dominated the headlines for as long or as widely as others - but they are cases I think about often and they are all important cases on New Zealand’s crime timeline. 

Some of the stories I will tell you in this episode are graphic, and others refer to sexual violence and or child abuse.

This episode is intended for a mature audience. 

If there is a case you would like to hear more about in a future episode, email [email protected]

READ MORE ABOUT THE CASES IN THIS EPISODE:

No parole for recidivist sex offender Johnathon Smallbon

HIV positive child sex offender paroled, takes on new identity

Exclusive: West Auckland children lived 'like caged animals' in 'despicable and sickening' neglect case

Revealed: Xi Wang brutally stabbed to death by ex as she held her 2yo son in her arms

DO YOU NEED HELP?

FAMILY VIOLENCE
Women's Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)

Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children: Crisis line - 0800 742 584 (available 24/7)

MENTAL HEALTH

Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)

Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)

Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234

Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)

Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call or text 1737

SEXUAL HARM

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7 - call 0800 044 334 text 4334 or email [email protected]

Alternatively, contact your local police station.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In August 2014 Connor Morris was fatally injured during a street fight in West Auckland. He was struck in the head with a sickle-like tool and died instantly.

Morris, 27, was a patched gang member, the son of a senior leader and was in a relationship with the daughter of one of New Zealand's most prominent broadcasters. 

His murder and the trial for the man responsible, was high profile. A Moment In Crime writer and host Anna Leask covered the trial and sentencing for the Herald and looks back a the case 10 years on, as the killer becomes eligible for parole. 

Michael Thrift Murry admitted he killed Connor. But, he claimed there was no murderous intent, that he was trying to defend his younger brother from being attacked.

After a two-week trial a jury of eight men and four women found him guilty. He was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years.

The Morris family were contacted before the podcast aired. They did not want to comment publicly but wanted to ensure people knew how much their son, brother and partner was loved by them.

For more on this case, visit nzherald.co.nz or click in the links above.

If you have a case you'd like us to consider covering - email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is not a rare occurrence for teachers to be investigated or charged with sexual offending against the children and young people they are supposed to be educating, guiding and nurturing.   

But some cases are significantly worse than other and in this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask recalls the three sex offending teachers who have caused New Zealand kids the most harm. 

The cases of Jaime Cooney, Paul Herrick and James Robertson are among the wrost offenders - in terms of how the abuse played out, the number of victims and how long the offending was taking place.   

And in all three cases, these predators could have been stopped much earlier.   

There were glaring red flags and concerns were raised both formally and informally with police and other authorities.  

But for various reasons these offenders remained free and able to continue violating and abusing innocent children.   

In today’s episode of A Moment In Crime Leask outlines how the sexual predators were caught, how they were dealt with by the justice system and where they are now. 

You will also hear from Parker - what he told the Parole Board in 2024 about his disgusting offending.

This episode of A Moment In Crime tells the story of significant sexual offending and abuse and is intended for a mature audience. See below information on where to get help or advice.

READ MORE:

Blenheim sex abuse teacher: Anatomy of a scandal

Predator principal's career of sex crimes and silencing

Kaitāia’s paedophile teacher James Parker refused parole

DO YOU NEED HELP?

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:

Call 0800 044 334
Text 4334
Email [email protected]
For more information visit safetotalk.nz

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the second in a two-part episode. 

In 2023 South African doctor Lauren Anne Dickason was found guilty of murdering her daughters Liane, 6, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at their Timaru home.

She and her husband Graham - an ortopaedic surgeon - had emigrated to New Zealand just weeks earlier seeking a better, safer life for their young children. 

Dickason killed the little girls 20 minutes after her husband left for a work function. He found the siblings dead in their beds when he arrived home. 

Dickason admitted smothering the children but claimed she was so mentally unwell she could not be held criminally responsible for their deaths.

After an exhaustive five-week trial last year, a jury rejected her defence of insanity or infanticide and convicted the woman of murder.

In this episode of A Moment In Crime senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at the murders and the aftermath. Leask covered the story from the day the girls died, attending every day of Dickasons high profile trial and her later sentencing. 

The Dickason Family Tragedy is told in two parts. In part one Leask explained the family's background and what brought them to New Zealand, as well as what happened that awful day in 2021. 

In this episode Leask focuses on Dickason's trial - what the jury heard, the verdict, sentencing and what it was like inside the courtroom at pivotal moments. 

The double episode contains descriptions of the Dickason children's deaths and also refer to mental health, self harm, pregnancy loss and fertility issues. Both parts of A Moment In Crime - The Dickason Family Tragedy are intended for mature audiences.

To read Leask's full coverage of the case click here. 

To read Justice Cameron Mander's full sentencing remarks via the Ministry of Justice website, click here.

DO YOU NEED HELP OR ADVICE?

• Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023 South African doctor Lauren Anne Dickason was found guilty of murdering her daughters Liane, 6, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at their Timaru home.

She and her husband Graham - an ortopaedic surgeon - had emigrated to New Zealand just weeks earlier seeking a better, safer life for their young children. 

Dickason killed the little girls 20 minutes after her husband left for a work function. He found the siblings dead in their beds when he arrived home. 

Dickason admitted smothering the children but claimed she was so mentally unwell she could not be held criminally responsible for their deaths.

After an exhaustive five-week trial last year, a jury rejected her defence of insanity or infanticide and convicted the woman of murder.

In this episode of A Moment In Crime senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at the murders and the aftermath. Leask covered the story from the day the girls died, attending every day of Dickasons high profile trial and her later sentencing. 

The Dickason Family Tragedy is told in two parts. In part one Leask goes into the family's background and what brought them to New Zealand, as well as what happened that awful day in 2021. 

Part two will focus on Dickason's trial, sentencing and what it was like inside the courtroom at pivotal moments. It will be release a week after part one. 

The double episode contains descriptions of the Dickason children's deaths and also refer to mental health, self harm, pregnancy loss and fertility issues. Both parts of A Moment In Crime - The Dickason Family Tragedy are intended for mature audiences.

To read Leask's full coverage of the case click here. 

DO YOU NEED HELP OR ADVICE?

• Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Easter Monday 2021, Paulina Hanna was found dead at the Remuera home she shared with her husband of 30 years, Philip Polkinghorne.

For 16 months, her death was treated as “unexplained”. That’s until it emerged Polkinghorne had been charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty in August 2022.

From the team behind The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald's daily news podcast, comes Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial.

Listen to Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, or in The Front Page podcast feed.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cynric Temple-Camp is one of New Zealand's top pathologists - and he has just published his third book about his work.

The Final Diagnosis is a collection of stranger-than-fiction stories of death, disease and murder - as well as Temple-Camp sharing new perspectives on high-profile cases, including the disappearance of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope and the trial of Mark Lundy.

A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask spoke with Temple-Camp about the book, his career and why he is sure beyond reasonable doubt that Lundy is guilty. 

Episodes of A Moment In Crime - written and hosted by Leask - usually focus on old cases, cold cases or recent cases of national and international significance involving Kiwi offenders or victims.

But this episode comes from the other side of the cordon - from a person often charged with determining how and why a person died and, who is responsible.

To read more about Temple-Camp, the Lundy case and other crimes covered by Leask for the Herald, click here.

Episodes of A Moment In Crime are usually released monthly and, so far, Leask has covered more than 55 cases including the murders of Grace Millane, Scott Guy, Austin Hemmings, Carmen Thomas, Karen Aim; the deaths of the Kahui Twins, the Edgeware Rd murders, the Bain family murders, the Christchurch House of Horrors and the massacres at Raurimu and Aramoana.

Last year, a three-part special covered the case of rich lister and philanthropist James Wallace who was convicted of sexually assaulting three men and was jailed and had his knighthood stripped from him as a result.

A Moment In Crime has topped the overall and true crime charts on numerous occasions, and has listeners in more than 80 countries.

The podcast was a finalist at the 2024 NZ Radio & Podcast Awards and won a silver award in the true crime category at the inaugural New Zealand Podcast Awards in 2021.

If you have a crime or case you’d like to hear more about, email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To mark the 30 year anniversary of the mass killing A Moment In Crime presents The House of Bain, a two-part telling of the case. 

On June 20 1994 Margaret and Robin Bain, their teenage daughters Arawa and Laniet and son Stephen were all shot dead in the family home at 65 Every Street, Dunedin.

Just after 7am David Bain - Margaret and Robin's oldest child - called emergency services to report the ghastly scene. He said he had come home from his morning paper run and found them all dead. 

Days later Bain was charged with five counts of murder and after a high-profile trial a jury found him guilty. 

He maintained his innocence and fought for decades for a retrial, which finally went ahead in 2007. 

A second jury acquitted Bain, finding him not guilty of the five murders. 

The case is arguably New Zealand's most talked about massacre and over the years has become morbidly iconic. 

In the second part of House of Bain, you will hear more from Bain in his own words on his legal battle. The lawyer who represented him most recently also speaks about the case and its aftermath.

Host Anna Leask speaks to people involved in the case and those with expert opinions on why Bain and the grisly event have become embedded in New Zealand culture. 

CLICK HERE for further New Zealand Herald coverage of this case

A Moment In Crime is an NZME podcast written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior crime and justice reporter for the New Zealand Herald.  

The podcast is written and hosted by Leask. It is produced by Leask, NZME audio engineer James Irwin and podcast production manager Ethan Sills.  

A number of key players in the case had their words voiced by actors - Glenn Dwight as David Bain and Tory McArthur as the juror from the second trial. NZME audio engineer Tash Chittock assisted with recording. 

In this episode television news reports that featured on various iterations of 6pm news bulletins on TVNZ and NewsHub have been referenced..These are mostly taken from court coverage, which can still be found on YouTube.  

If you have a crime or case you’d like to hear more about, email [email protected] 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 20 1994 five members of the Bain family were found shot dead in their home at 65 Every Street, Dunedin.

Margaret and Robin Bain, their teenage daughter Arawa and Laniet and their son Stephen were all shot at close range. 

Just after 7am David Bain - Margaret and Robin's oldest child - called emergency services to report the ghastly scene. He said he had come home from his morning paper run and found them all dead. 

Days later Bain was charged with five counts of murder and after a high-profile trial a jury found him guilty. 

He maintained his innocence and fought for decades for a retrial, which finally went ahead in 2007. 

A second jury acquitted Bain, finding him not guilty of the five murders. 

The case is arguably New Zealand's most talked about massacre and over the years has become morbidly iconic. 

To mark the 30-year anniversary of the mass killing A Moment In Crime presents The House of Bain, a two-part telling of the case. 

CLICK HERE for further New Zealand Herald coverage of this case

For David Fisher's interview with the juror from the first trial click here

A Moment In Crime is an NZME podcast written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior crime and justice reporter for the New Zealand Herald.  

The podcast is produced by Leask, NZME audio engineer James Irwin and podcast production manager Ethan Sills.  

A number of key players in the case had their words voiced by actors - Glenn Dwight as David Bain, George Heard as Dean Cottle and Kurt Bayer as the juror from the first trial. NZME audio engineer Tash Chittock assisted with recording. 

This episode features references to television news reports from various iterations of 6pm news bulletins on TVNZ1 and Three. These are mostly taken from court coverage, which can still be found on YouTube. 

Part two of A Moment In Crime - The House of Bain will be released in June. 

If you have a crime or case you’d like me to consider covering, email [email protected] 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1954 Christchurch woman Honorah Parker was murdered while on a walk in the Port Hills. 

The culprits? Her daughter Pauline, 15 and best friend Juliet Hulme, 16. 

With “animal ferocity” they hit her over and over again with a brick inside a stocking. Police would later say the 46-year-old had been “battered to pieces”.

After a controversial trial, the teens were found guilty of murder - a jury rejecting their claims of insanity.

In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask looks back at the crime, the trial, the aftermath and speaks exclusively to Juliet Hulme's brother about why he wants the convictions amended to reflect his sister's lifetime of insanity. 

This episode is accompanied by a full feature about the case - click here to read the story.

This episode references Canterbury crime author Peter Graham's book about the case, So Brilliantly Clever, the documentary Anne Perry Interiors which is available to rent or buy in New Zealand on AppleTV and author Ian Rankin's documentary Evil Thoughts, which aired in 2002 and can be found in part on YouTube. 

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior crime and justice journalist for the New Zealand Herald. 

It is produced by Leask, NZME audio engineer James Irwin and podcast production manager Ethan Stills.

South Island head of news Kurt Bayer oversaw this project, the voice of Pauline Parker's diary was provided by NewstalkZB reporter Emily Ansell and some of the audio recording was undertaken by NZME video journalist George Heard.

Special thanks to Jonathan Hulme, Nigel Hampton KC and Professor Warren Brookbanks for their insight and in put into this episode. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.