Ernie’s* journey from suspect to eye-witness is shrouded in secrecy and controversy. We look at how police came to place their entire case on Ernie’s* shoulders. And for the first time, Ernie* himself describes his role in the case against Ross Appelgren, and the terror of being in prison and labelled a Nark.

*Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identity

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any further information on this case, please email [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Let’s properly meet the two main characters in this story. Ross, the accused. A car thief and bank robber who’d spent a third of his life behind bars. And Ernie* the accuser. A fraudster whose arrest culminated in a police chase and with Ernie* dangling off Auckland’s Harbour Bridge. One would end up behind bars while the other became the Crown’s star witness.

*Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identity

See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any further information on this case, please email [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The investigation into the murder of Darcy Te Hira kicks off in earnest, but the police are stymied by the prisoner code of silence and a lack of forensic evidence at the murder scene. That is until a mystery note that leads them to a broken kitchen paddle.

See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any further information on this case, please email [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sometimes, where a murder happens can be just as important a factor in its investigation as who did it and why. This episode looks at life behind the bars of Mt Eden. The drugs, violence and the code of silence.

See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any further information on this case, please email [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Darcy Te Hira’s murder in Mt Eden prison is one shrouded in controversy. The only prison guard on duty saw and heard nothing. Initially, Darcy was treated as if he was ill when he had no history of seizures and by the time the alarm was raised, the kitchen had been cleaned. Was there a cover up?

See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any further information on this case, please email [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

On 6 January 1985, Tony “Darcy” Te Hira was murdered in Mt Eden Prison. Fellow inmate Ross Appelgren was twice convicted of the killing but maintained his innocence, saying the prosecution case was based on a string of lies from inmates prepared to “nark” in return for money and early release. For decades the case has remained dormant. But now, an unheard appeal is being resurrected and two women who lost the men they love are looking for answers.

See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any further information on this case, please email [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Listen here for a taste of what's to come in RNZ's latest true crime podcast - Nark.

See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/nark

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any information about this case, send an email to [email protected]

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A prison murder, an unlikely love story and a cast of colourful characters. RNZ's new true crime podcast is not to be missed.

See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/nark

If you have any information about this case, send an email to [email protected]

Further reading:

• See images and more details about the series here

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details