Catherine Hutton is an Open Justice reporter, based in Wellington.
Catherine has worked as a journalist for 20 years, including at the Waikato Times and RNZ. Most recently she was working as a media advisor at the Ministry of Justice.
Hockey sticks and knives: Chaotic fight leaves man in ICU, dog dead
A jury is being asked to decide who was the aggressor, a home owner or a visitor.
'I’m trusting you,' judge tells serial thief with long history of offending
”Please don’t let us down, don’t let [your wife] down," offender told.
How police brought down kingpin of $2.9m stolen goods ring
The goods were stashed across lockups, homes, businesses and a shipping container.
'He has this addiction:' Pensioner cast porn to tv, sexually assaulted teen
'I wasn’t really myself after it happened,' teen tells the court as 69yo is sentenced.
Man evicted from dead parents' home after being declared a squatter
He was allowed to live there if he paid bills and did maintenance - but he didn't.
'You have problems and need help': Young mum stabbed partner in front of their kids
The father said they had only just agreed to no longer fight in front of the children.
Man exchanged 1600 messages with key player in $2.9m stolen property ring
Judge: 'You established yourself as the main conduit for stolen property in Wellington'.
'Kick them out': Aussie landlord sends his kids to NZ to evict tenants
The tenants felt they “had no rights and no choice” other than to leave that day.
Migrant's 'leading role' in syndicate that smuggled meth in a picture of the Virgin Mary
The Colombian national has been jailed and now faces the possibility of deportation.
'The cover of Christianity:' Man groomed, abused boys he met at church youth group
'You broke my heart when you assaulted my brother,' victim tells Gordon Barnes.
Former mayor challenges $40 parking ticket saying there's clearly a 'signage problem'
'It’s plainly a footpath, laid out by council for pedestrians' - council's lawyer.
Man facing manslaughter charge after assault outside cinema complex
Luke Smith was fatally injured in central Wellington.
'All she wanted was love': The 'gentle and kind' woman behind the murdered sex worker label
Leah Stephens was allegedly killed for talking about a murder she witnessed.
Man found guilty of friend's murder after drug-fuelled night at Wairarapa property
The mothers of both men hugged outside court after the verdict was delivered.
Heavy meth user had been awake for three weeks before alleged killing
Wire Reddington is accused of killing his friend after a night of heavy drinking in 2023.
Schizophrenia or drug-induced psychosis? What led to man's brutal homicide on rural driveway
Defence claims schizophrenia but the Crown argues drug-induced psychosis.
'Grandiose ideas': Murder accused claims to have healed 78 inmates, compares self to Jesus
Wire Reddington's psychosis worsened without medication before the alleged murder.
Murder-accused: It wasn't me. It was my brother ... or I was insane
Defence claims Wire Reddington's schizophrenia could support an insanity defence.
Tipene Reddington's bracelet data undermines brother's murder accusation
Crown: Ankle data suggests Tipene Reddington was at the house, not close to murder scene.
Miscarriage of justice: Four quashed convictions in Fuller-Sandys murder case
The Court of Appeal has however ordered a retrial for Stephen Stone.
'I wasn’t even there': Brother of murder accused denies being the killer
Jamie Gill was drinking with the siblings before his body was found in a paddock.
'Very sorry:' Father's tearful apology for son's terrifying assault on teen girl
Jarimar Schuster sent to prison for five years for Wellington sexual assault.
Dead man was missing bits of his ear. A piece found nearby had his friend's DNA on it
Defence lawyer says there are other ways the alleged killer's DNA could have got there.
Blood, flesh and a dinner plate: grisly forensic scene at Jamie Gill's death
The 32-year-old victim grasped at the mud with his hands as he was dragged on his back.
Man allegedly confessed to killing, saying his brother 'didn’t have the balls' to finish the job
But while their mother recalls son's aggression, she denies hearing an alleged confession.
Murder victim found face down in muddy paddock with pieces of his ears missing
Wire Reddington says he didn't kill Jamie Gill - but if he did he was insane at the time.
Tinder match found guilty of strangling woman in BDSM relationship
'He wanted sexual gratification, and he just took it,' Crown says.
Bondage and discipline: Fiancee was jealous when partner had sex with other people
Her fiance is accused of strangling two other women during BDSM sex.
Bondage & discipline trial: Fiancée describes strangulation with another man
She said ‘breath play’ does happen in the BDSM community but is risky.
Bondage trial: Woman says she felt 'helpless' after allegedly being strangled during sex
The man is accused of choking two women he met on Tinder until they blacked out.
Bondage and discipline trial: Subordinate was also in business with BDSM partner
The pair, who met through Tinder, began a consensual BDSM relationship in 2019.
Bondage and discipline: Man doesn’t deny kinky sex but says he didn't strangle women
The Crown says 'this is not a case of BDSM gone wrong', there was no consent.
'You invaded their lives': Woman stole strangers' identities then took their money
Lexie Aiolupotea-Nofoagatotoa jailed for prolific, ongoing and significant offending.
Drug addict avoids jail after becoming rehab's 'best client'
Judge: 'Sending you to prison now, at this juncture, would be a backwards step for you.'
Person of interest in Baby Ru killing admits assaulting NZME journalist
Rosie Morunga also admitted unrelated shoplifting at supermarkets and retail stores.
Schoolgirl who died after waking with chest pains may have had 'surprisingly silent disease'
Taya Awhina Kauri's heart was later found to weigh twice that of other 9-year-old girls.
Violent rapist claims failure to get his meds at trial caused miscarriage of justice
Court finds Corrections staff weren't responsible for accused's 'train wreck' testimony.
'Extreme distress': Man trespassed from abortion clinic for the 15th time
A judge tells Paul Barnao having strongly held beliefs doesn't justify breaking the law.
Man paused prolonged attack against partner so she could cook him dinner
Judge: 'You treated her like some sort of animal'.
Court rules iwi was wrong to assert minister has to consult on proposed MACA legislation
Judge rules: "Minister is entitled to consult as much, or as little, as he wishes".
Crown admits there's no evidence convicted killer Gail Maney murdered anyone
The only witness recanted their evidence and has since died.
'A labyrinth of lies:' Lawyer criticises case against convicted murderers
Gail Maney and Stephen Stone's lawyers say it's too late for a retrial now.
'Oh, he got you did he?': Owner's response when unmuzzled dog bites man
The dog was already on a short leash when he attacked a stranger.
Expert fears there will be another waterfront death before council completes safety work
Dr Frank Stoks gave evidence at the inquest into Sandy Calkin's death in Wellington.
'Not acceptable:' Someone dies at Wellington's waterfront every 1.7 years
But, the city council still has to finalise funding for waterfront safety improvements.
Council grilled on why it didn't investigate man's fatal fall into Wellington Harbour
Sandy Calkin had been drinking but his friends say he was steady on his feet.
'I miss him every minute of the day': Grieving dad wants harbour safety improvements
An inquest begins today into how Sandy Calkin died in Wellington Harbour in 2021.
Man who strangled vulnerable woman was on release conditions from prison
The woman was strangled so hard she saw black spots and later had teeth knocked loose.
Court overturns ruling on commercial building’s seismic assessment
Engineering NZ says the case highlights limitations of seismic reports.
Former Wellington Mayor in court challenging $40 parking ticket
Kerry Prendergast denies parking on a footpath, saying signage in the area is 'ambiguous'.
Homeless woman stole $1700 worth of cigarettes from grocery store
But she's now turned her life around and been wished good luck by a judge.
Alcoholic unsure he could honour bail conditions asked for instant sentence
Defendant describes his criminal record as 'a colourful one - in the wrong way'.
High school counsellors were awarded $1.8m for workplace stress - now that's being challenged
Kath and Ron Cronin-Lampe were awarded damages after dealing with 32 deaths.
Man who hurled items during parliamentary protest had 20 foster homes as a child
Now a judge has praised his efforts to comply with his sentence as 'extraordinary'.
'Not the boss of me': Relief teacher physically threw misbehaving boy out of class
The boy refused to give a student's work back to them.
Lawyer: Failure to interview gang member for presentence report is 'highly unusual'
Dylan Anderson was jailed for 12 months in May for his part in a fracas outside court.
Man killed toddler after being bailed to boy's home following ‘deficient’ OT report
The judge let him move in based on the findings of a ‘deficient’ Oranga Tamariki report.
‘Get a job': Judge blasts man who sent girls inappropriate Snapchat messages
A 12-year-old victim said she felt like her innocence had been stripped away.
'Moment of madness': Former teacher, artist’s fall from grace during Parliament protests
Billy-James Natanahira threw pavers at police during the March 2022 riot.
Woman suffers stillbirth after specialist misses 'red flag symptoms' of infection
A woman was discharged from hospital despite showing symptoms of infection.
Father sent to jail for 'hitman-style' shooting
Victim of attempted murder spent three weeks in hospital.
'Devastating consequences': Twin baby dies after getting stuck in her car seat
The 9-month-old girl suffered 'severe and irreversible brain damage'.
Two hairs and a photo: The evidence Scott Watson’s fate rests on
Convicted killer has always denied murdering pair in the Marlborough Sounds.
Real estate agent who refused to do Māori course 'knew the consequences'
REA: 'It’s not about indoctrination, it’s about raising awareness and understanding.'
'He’s had a tough time': Teen who smashed brick into man's head keeps name secret
His 69-year-old victim says the attack's left him a 'shadow' of his former self.
Crown says Scott Watson was the only one with 'motive and opportunity' to kill
It's the final day of the convicted double murderer's second appeal.
'Moral pressure': Scott Watson's lawyer blasts police tactics used to collar him for double murder
Watson's lawyer: Police concertedly and repeatedly used suggestive practices to secure ID.
How did an expert initally miss vital evidence linking Olivia Hope to Scott Watson?
Two hairsfound on a blanket taken from Watson's boat were missed on the first search.
Scott Watson appeal: Controversial evidence relating to hair strands to be tested in court
Watson was convicted of double murder in 1999 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Reliability of witnesses questioned as Scott Watson tries to clear his name
Witnesses helped identify the man last seen with Ben Smart and Oliva Hope.
'Shocking': Intellectually disabled woman left unchecked for two days, found dead in bed
Care staff feared the 30-year-old might act aggressively so they left her alone.
Double murderer Scott Watson continues fight to clear his name
He was convicted of killing Ben Smart and Olivia Hope on New Year's Eve in 1997.
Sex offending arts patron fights to drink alcohol, travel overnight
James Wallace continues to protest his innocence despite convictions.
Father claims son died in prison after guards told him to kill himself
The man was remanded in custody for the alleged murder of his partner's child.
Rapist appeals conviction saying he wasn’t given medication during his trial
Scott Thompson raped a woman hours after beating her. Now he's appealing his conviction.
Addict who claimed chemicals for repainting cars jailed for making ‘fantasy’ drug
Harry Penman bought almost a thousand litres of bulk resin remover to make GBL.
Sean Plunket v Ani O’Brien: Round two of employment dispute
The Platform's former head of digital claims she was unfairly dismissed.
'You have acted too late': Tenant awarded $9k after rental complaints fell on deaf ears
The landlord did not investigate the tenant's 'legitimate concerns', a tribunal found.
'Punished for his mistake already': No conviction for dad after son's driveway death
Father wipes away tears as judge agrees he has suffered enough.
Justice catches up with banned driver who used brother's identity for 8 months
As a result of the deceit, his brother was charged and an arrest warrant was issued.