In 1992 toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank disappeared from a small South Island town. 

Despite exhaustive searches spanning almost 30 years, there has never been any sign of the 2-and-a-half-year-old. 

The Herald re-investigated the case in 2017 and...

Chasing Ghosts: the disappearance of toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank

From the NZ Herald newsroom comes A Moment in Crime - a podcast delving into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases.

Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than a decade.

Each month she'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.

True crime

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.

The 'Heavenly Creatures' murder: The story of teen killers Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker

In 2011 Dean Richard Mulligan was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Marice McGregor. 
Marice was reported missing by her family in April 2010 and it emerged she had not been seen or heard from in the 10 days before they approached police. 
For weeks police searched and appealed for information - as did Marice's family. 
What happened to Marice? How did she die? And what was her killer's explanation?
In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask - a senior journalist for the NZ Herald - tells the story of Marice McGregor and the callous man who killed her. 
To read more on this case click on the links below. 
New twist in Marice hunt
Alleged killer's road to court 
Mulligan gets life for murder 
 
DO YOU NEED HELP?
If you are being abused - in any way -remember, it’s not your fault. 
For help and information contact:

Women’s Refuge: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
Shine: 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. 0800 742 584
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missing and murdered: The disappearance of Marice McGregor

George Gwaze was tried and acquitted in 2008 and 2012 after the death of his adopted daughter 10-year-old Charlene Makaza.
Charlene was rushed to hospital in a terrible state in January 2007 and died after her little body effectively shut down due to massive infection - doctors and experts unable to do anything to save her. 
Her family - who had moved to New Zealand from Zimbabwe for a better life - were scrutinised by police and the public. 
George Gwaze was then charged with sexually violating and suffocating Charlene to death. 
He maintained his innocence and after a trial - where the Crown argued murder and the defence argued death by HIV-related symptoms  - was found not guilty by a jury.
In an unprecedented move the Crown appealed the acquittal to New Zealand's highest court and won. A retrial was ordered.
This episode of A Moment In Crime I cover Charlenes death, the sad aftermath and the trials. 
This episode refers to child sexual abuse and violence and may be upsetting - it is intended for a mature audience.
If the content raises any issues for you - please see below for a list of help and crisis agencies.
READ MORE:
Acquitted uncle tells his story 
Gwaze relieved by not guilty verdict
Retrial ordered for murder accused
Gwaze trial miscarriage of justice - Solicitor General 
George Gwaze on trial for rape, murder of his niece
Gwaze trial - medical staff feared child had meningitis 
Gwaze trial: police describe detailed scene exam
For more on Felicity Goodyear-Smith and her book The Murder That Wasn't, published in 2015 - visit goodyearsmith.com or click here. 
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 support@safetotalk.nz
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.

Not guilty: The murder trials of George Gwaze

Jane Furlong was 17 when she went missing from Auckland's Karangahape Rd in May 1993.
Her partner Dani Norsworthy reported her missing two days after she was last seen.
She was a new mum and a part time sex worker and while she'd had a troubled and turbulent life, was doing her best to carve out a future for herself. 
For almost two decades - despite extensive police investigations - there was no sign of Jane, no clues to what happened to her or who was responsible. 
In remains were finally discovered in 2012, buried in the dunes at Sunset Beach, Port Waikato.
The next year police announced a $50,000 reward for anyone who provided information or evidence that would lead to the conviction of Furlong's killer.
Despite the cash offer, and a major police investigation spanning more than 26 years - dubbed Operation Darlia - an arrest is yet to be made.
To date, police have not arrested anyone in connection with Jane's disappearance or death and her case remains one of the most enduring mysteries in New Zealand. 
CAN YOU HELP?
If you know what happened to Jane Furlong or have information that could help the Operation Darlia police team - please come forward.
Contact police on 0800 2653 2273 (0800 COLD CASE) or click here to submit information online.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or click here to offer information online. 
READ MORE ABOUT OPERATION DARLIA HERE:
1998 Flashback: Teenage dreams cut short in K Rd
Skeleton found on beach identified
Jane Furlong gets a final farewell
Murder victim's son speaks out
Jane Furlong murder: Police revisiting 'crucial' period, killer's silence 'pathetic'
Person of interest in 26-year-long Jane Furlong murder cold case
Editorial: The death of Jane Furlong - someone knows something. It's time to come forward
  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Operation Darlia: Finding Jane Furlong - and her killer

In this episode of A Moment In Crime - the last for 2023 - senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at some of the country’s most brazen prison escapes, and speaks to one of the most high-profile escapees in history.
Arthur Taylor spent almost a month on the run with two murderers and a robber after masterminding an escape from New Zealand’s toughest prison at Paremoremo near Auckland.
You’ll also hear from others who escaped multiple times including Dean Wickliffe, and, about why inmates go on the lam.
To date, no one has ever escaped prison in New Zealand and managed to stay away forever - they are all caught and hauled back eventually.
But over the years many a man - and a couple of women - have tried.
Leask has covered a number of these escapes for the Herald and canvassed many more in her book Behind Bars, published in 2017.
A full spread that further details the escapes is also available on nzherald.co.nz.
This episode contains strong language and is suited to a mature audience. 
For more on Leask's book Behind Bars click here.
 
Read more:
Exclusive: Dean Wickliffe, the life and times of New Zealand's most 'notorious' crim
Exclusive: Notorious criminal Dean Wickliffe pens book about 41 years behind bars
Rimutaka Prison escapee guilty of rape, assault with a weapon and abduction, name suppression lapses for Damon John Exley
Phillip Smith's long history of terrifying and abusive behaviour
Whereabouts up in air
Greed the downfall of New Zealand's 'Godfather'
  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chasing Ghosts: the disappearance of toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank

Download our free app to listen on your phone