Crimes NZ

By RNZ

Dig into the biggest crimes in New Zealand history with the investigators and journalists who know the cases best.... more

· True Crime

4.5

1010 ratings

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How many episodes does Crimes NZ have?

The podcast currently has 62 episodes available.

Best of Crimes NZ

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Case #057 - Michael Choy
In 2001, pizza delivery driver Michael Choy was robbed and fatally attacked by six offenders, all under the age of 17. Jesse talks with defence lawyer Marie Dyhrberg KC who represented one of the other teenagers found guilty of manslaughter for his role in the attack. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
August 26, 202628min
Number 2: Case #056 - Grace Millane
Grace Millane's disappearance attracted international attention and the discovery of her body in Auckland's Waitākere Ranges sent shockwaves around the world. Jesse Kempson was eventually found guilty of her murder. Reporter Alice Wilkins covered the trial. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
August 19, 202631min
Number 3: Case #055 - Helen Gregory
On September 5, 2025, Julia DeLuney was sentenced to 18 years in jail for the murder of her mother. RNZ's Kate Green covered the trial which heard details of how 79-year-old Helen Gregory was brutally killed in her own home. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
August 12, 202632min
Number 4: Case #007 - The Trades Hall Bombing
It's one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in New Zealand history. In 1984, a bomb went off on the Trades Hall in Wellington killing caretaker Ernie Abbott. Former Secretary Graeme Clark remembers that day and the confusion that followed. On the 27th of March, 1984 at the Trades Hall in Wellington, caretaker Ernie Abbott bent over to pick up a suitcase left behind earlier in the day. It contained the equivalent of three sticks of gelignite in explosive power, which were set off by an unusual switch device inside. The 64 year-old was killed instantly. Mr Abbott was the sole victim of the attack and despite numerous investigations, police have always struggled to identify a motive for the bombing. They've also never laid charges for the bombing, but they believe they know who committed the crime. In 2017, they received new information and began collecting DNA samples from suspects. Back in 1984 there were 500 persons of interest. Detective senior sergeant Warwick McKee told RNZ's Morning Report that they were determined to resolve the investigation for Ernie Abbott and his family. "We're pretty certain it wasn't aimed at Ernie Abbott, he was unfortunately the person that picked up the suitcase at the end of the day, being the caretaker. We believe it was targeted towards Trades Hall staff and employees." Secretary of the Wellington Trades Council, Graeme Clark remembers that day and the confusion that followed. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
October 02, 202029min
Number 5: Case #009 - Kirsty Bentley
15-year-old Canterbury teenager, Kirsty Bentley from Ashburton went missing after taking her dog for a walk on New Year's Eve in 1998 - her body was found just over two weeks later. Stuff journalists Blair Ensor and Martin van Beynen recently completed an investigative piece on the unsolved case. It's one of the most high-profile cold cases in New Zealand's history - the murder of Canterbury teenager, Kirsty Bentley. The 15-year-old from Ashburton went missing after taking her dog for a walk on New Year's Eve in 1998, and her body was found in bushes near the Rakaia Gorge just over two weeks later. The case has never been solved. Eighteen years after her body was discovered, the coroner ruled the death of Kirsty Bentley was not accidental. Her older brother, John, the last person to see her alive, told police she left the house late in the afternoon to take the family dog for a walk. Two weeks later, on the day before her 16th birthday, Kirsty's partially buried body was found 60km away near the Rakaia Gorge. Stuff journalist, Blair Ensor and Martin van Beynen wrote an indepth investigative piece on the case. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
October 02, 202027min