Police figures show between mid-2012 and 2022, about 280 people were convicted of murder in Aotearoa.

Of those, 9.5 per cent of offenders - 26 in total - were women.A further 47 women were convicted of manslaughter, 27 per cent of the 271 total offenders in that category.

n the latest episode of A Moment In Crime senior crime and justice reporter Anna Leask looks back at some of New Zealand’s most shocking cases of murder, manslaughter and even some mercy killings carried out by women.

This episode of A Moment In Crime references violence towards a child domestic violence - if you need help, or have concerns about someone else, please scroll down for a list of crisis and support agencies.

READ MORE: click here for Anna Leask's coverage on women who kill

DO YOU NEED HELP?

Child abuse

If you are worried about a child or have information about any young person being abused, please contact the police.

Information can be passed on to your local police or anonymously through the Crimestoppers reporting line on 0800 555 111.

If you’re worried about a child you are urged to contact Oranga Tamariki immediately on 0508 326 459; or email [email protected].

If the child or young person is in immediate danger, call police on 111.

Family violence

If you’re in danger now:

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you.
• Don’t stop to get anything else.

If you are being abused, remember it’s not your fault. Violence is never okay.

Where to go for help or more information:

• Shine, free national helpline available 24/7 - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• Women’s Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• It’s Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For nearly eight years Auckland woman Pakeeza Yusuf and her 3-yeard-old daughter, Juwairiyah “Jojo” Kalim, lay covered by stone and mud on Auckland’s North Shore.

They were murdered as they slept in late 2006 but for many years nobody knew about their grisly fate. A decade later in 2016, Kamal Gyanendra Reddy was found guilty of their murder by a jury.

A six-month undercover police operation drew a confession from him on October 14, 2014, where he admitted to strangling Pakeeza with the cord of an electric iron, and smothering Jojo to cover up his ghastly offending.

This episode of A Moment In Crime references violence towards a child domestic violence - if you need help, or have concerns about someone else, please scroll down for a list of crisis and support agencies.

READ MORE:

Bodies-under-the-bridge murders: Kamal Reddy found guilty

Bodies-under-the-bridge murders: Kamal Reddy jailed for at least 21 years

Undercover police operation to catch double murderer Kamal Reddy revealed

WHERE TO GET HELP?

Child abuse:

If you are worried about a child or have information about about any young person being abused, please contact the police.

Information can be passed on to your local police - click here for a list of stations and contact details - or anonymously through the Crimestoppers reporting line on 0800 555 111.

If you’re worried about a child you are urged to contact Oranga Tamariki immediately on 0508 326 459; or email [email protected].

If the child or young person is in immediate danger, call police on 111.

Family violence:

If you’re in danger now phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you.

Where to go for help or more information:

• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• Women’s Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz\
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• It’s Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In September 2008 New Zealanders were shocked by the killing of a man who stepped in to help a woman in danger in central Auckland.

Austin Hemmings, 44, was fatally stabbed when he intervened in a confrontation as he left work. 

The good Samaritan was simply trying to help a woman who was in clear distress and who had called out for help after a man confronted her and threatened her. 

Pauesi Leofa Brown stabbed Hemmings in the chest and the father-of-three died soon after.

Brown was later sentenced to life in prison for Hemmings' murder. 

Today in Herald podcast A Moment In Crime host and journalist Anna Leask looks back at the case and how it impacted both Hemmings' family and the woman he saved - paying the ultimate price with his own life. 

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by senior journalist Anna Leask - who has been covering crime and justice for NZME since 2005.

Leask has also reported on most of the major incidents and events in New Zealand during that period including the Christchurch quakes, Pike River mine disaster, March 15 terror attack and the White Island eruption.

"Each month I'll take you inside some of our most infamous incidents, notorious offenders and behind the scenes of high-profile trials and events to show you what's really happening in your backyard," she said.

"Heroes and villains battle for justice to be done, and it seems no matter how horrifying the story, we always want to know more."

A Moment In Crime is produced by Leask, iHeart radio podcast producer Adam Pomana, and NZ Herald podcast production manager Ethan Sills.

Episodes of a Moment In Crime are usually released monthly.

If there is a case you would like to hear about on A Moment In Crime, email [email protected]

READ MORE ON THE AUSTIN HEMMINGS CASE

Hemmings family 'torn to shreds'

Hemmings' murderer jailed for at least 16 years

Hemmings' murderer had killed before

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch caregiver Valerie May Heaney, 64, was found dead in the hallway of her Bromley home on April 4 2022. 

Initially, police said her death was unexplained but after a post-mortem examination, it became clear something violent and horrific had happened to Val. 

Elliot Ajay Prakash, 43, was later charged with her murder.

He was a boarder at Heaney's home and the pair were sometimes lovers.

In this episode of A Moment In Crime I'll tell you why - and how - Prakash killed Val, and what he told police.

This episode is about domestic violence and may be upsetting for some people. 

READ MORE ON THIS CASE:

Val Heaney murder: Man who battered landlord with hockey stick jailed for life, previous violence revealed

Family violence - do you need help?

If you're in danger now:

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you.
• Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay

Where to go for help or more information:

• Shine, free national helpline - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Phillip John Smith left a Waikato prison on approved temporary leave in 2014 no one suspected that within days he would be leading authorities on an international man hunt.

Smith, also known as Phillip John Traynor, was meant to spend his time outside the wire at an address in Auckland with a sponsor.

The leave was part of a plan to reintegrate the convicted killer and sex offender back into the community.

But instead of going to the address in Auckland he made his way to the airport and boarded a plane to South America.

Smith's plan was to never return to New Zealand. 

However a chance sighting lead authorities right to him at a backpackers in Brazil.

Smith  was jailed for life for murdering the father of a young boy he'd been convicted of sexually abusing.

So how did he get a passport?

How did he get past border authorities?

And how was he captured in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world?

Herald podcast A Moment In Crime goes back to Smith's escape and explains just how police tracked him down and hauled him back to New Zealand. 

READ MORE HERE:

Phillip Smith's long history of terrifying and abusive behaviour

Great Escape: How a murderer almost got away

SEXUAL HARM - DO YOU NEED HELP?

If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.​

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone contact the Safe to Talk confidential crisis helpline on: 

Text 4334 and they will respond 

Email [email protected]

Visit https://safetotalk.nz/contact-us/ for an online chat 

Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1998 murder of the Ashburton schoolgirl remains one of New Zealand's most high-profile cold cases.

Kirsty disappeared on December 31, 1998, while walking the family dog Abby on the banks of the Ashburton River.

The day after Kirsty went missing, the family's dog Abby was found tied to a tree near the river, and the teen's underwear was nearby.

Her body was found two weeks later, hidden in dense scrub almost 50km away. 

To date, no one has been arrested for her murder and police recently announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of her killer - or killers.

DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE KIRSTY BENTLEY CASE? 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police via their non-emergency phone number 105 and reference Operation Kirsty. Alternatively, you can call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

READ MORE ON THIS CASE IN THE HERALD:

Kirsty Bentley murder: Police offer $100,000 reward in Ashburton cold case

Kirsty Bentley cold case: Police focus on stranger abduction lead

Kirsty Bentley murder cold case: Killer may have already been spoken to by police

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2013 Auckland couple Glenys Stanton and Trevor Waite were gunned down in bed together at his home in Opaheke south of the city. 

Their killer was John Mowatt, an ex of Stanton who spiralled out of control when she ended their relationship.

Mowatt killed himself at Woodhill Forest north of Auckland days after the double murder.

The crime, later dubbed 'the bedroom murders' shocked the country.

If there is a case you want to hear more about email [email protected]

READ MORE ON THE CASE HERE:

The Bedroom Murders: 29 shots, 3 people dead. Why?

Bedroom murders: Tale of love and death

DO YOU NEED HELP?

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

For counselling and support:

Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP)

Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline, or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service.

The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts - click here for information

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In October 1985 Arthur Easton was murdered in his Papakura family home.

Easton and his two teenage sons were attacked by a bayonet-wielding home invader.

The 52-year-old postal worker was stabbed in his liver during the frenzied attack and died of blood loss after emergency services arrived on the scene.

Alan Hall was convicted of murder in 1986 and spent 19 years in prison for the crime.

However Hall was not the person who killed Easton.

He maintained his innocence for almost four decades and in 2022 the Supreme Court finally quashed his conviction for murder.

The Crown accepted earlier this year in a submission to the Court that key evidence leading to the identity of the true attacker was "materially" altered, leading to a miscarriage of justice.

Today Herald senior journalist Anna Leask revisits the murder of Arthur Easton and the journey to justice for Alan Hall. 

This episode of A Moment In Crime is a bonus episode.

While our usual monthly episodes look at cases that have gripped New Zealand's interest over the years, there are plenty of cases before the courts that I'm covering right now that warrant a deeper look.

From complex murder trials to the cases destined for infamy, these bonus episodes will show you what's really happening in your backyard - right now.

For more on the case visit:

Alan Hall: Murder conviction set to be quashed after decades, Crown acknowledges miscarriage of justice

Alan Hall's murder conviction officially quashed, compensation claim on the cards

Solicitor-General admits Alan Hall case 'significant miscarriage of justice', opens investigation into Crown conduct

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode contains strong language.

In 2001 Bruce Thomas Howse murdered his stepdaughters Olympia Jetson and Saliel Aplin as they lay in their beds at their Masterton home.

The girls - aged just 11 and 12 - had suffered years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of Howse and despite their cries for help, it never came.

Today A Moment In Crime is about the tragic deaths of the young sisters and the impact on their family, particularly their older sister Alicia. 

This episode of A Moment In Crime deals with child abuse, sexual assault and murder and may not be suitable for some listeners.

If you need help or you are worried about someone else - see below for a list of help and support agencies.

For more on this case:

Sister of murdered Masterton siblings speaks out about abuse, violence and murder

Killer's ex tells of fight to keep children safe

Reports into girls' deaths find fault with CYF

Are you worried about the safety of a child?

If you have concerns about the immediate safety of a child, call 111.

Alternative call the police non-emergency reporting line on 105.

Or, contact Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children on 0508 326 459 for advice or click here to visit the agency's website for more information.

Sexual harm - do you need help?

If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.​

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone contact the Safe to Talk confidential crisis helpline:

Text: 4334

Email: [email protected]

Visit https://safetotalk.nz/contact-us/ for an online chat

Domestic violence and abuse - do you need help?

If you're in danger now - phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.

Where to go for help or more information:

Shine: Free national helpline available 24/7 -  0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz

Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz

Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In January 2020 Rena Joyce walked into a Christchurch police station and made a startling confession. 

She told officers she had killed her partner Martin Berry and that his body was buried in the compost heap at his home. 

Following a trial in March 2022 Joyce - who had previous convictions for assaulting her partner - was found guilty of murdering Berry and in May she was sentenced to life in prison. 

In this bonus episode of A Moment In Crime, Herald senior journalist Anna Leask goes inside the trial - and the sentencing. 

For more on this case visit:

Rena Joyce sentenced to life in prison for murdering partner, dumping body in compost

Murdered and buried in his own garden - family speak about 'horrendous' death of Christchurch victim Martin Berry

Do you need help or advice around domestic violence:

• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz

If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.