Open Justice multimedia journalist, Palmerston North
Jeremy Wilkinson is an Open Justice reporter at the New Zealand Herald. Jeremy has a degree in communications and linguistics and a post-graduate diploma in journalism from Massey University. From there he cut his teeth at the Taranaki Daily News, before specialising in energy markets at Freeman Media and then onto Radio New Zealand to produce its flagship Morning Report show. He’s also worked on the other side of the fence for the police before seeing the light and returning to media to focus on telling crime and justice stories. Jeremy’s primary area of interest is in covering disciplinary tribunals which govern every profession we have in this country from vets to builders, lawyers to accountants and even jockeys. The Open Justice project has allowed him the time to go to these obscure hearings and uncover stories about lawyers stealing form their clients, realtors lying about the condition of the homes they’re selling and builders who cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and then skip the country. Jeremy is based in Manawatū and covers the district and higher courts in the area. You can contact Jeremy at jeremy.wilkinson@nzme.co.nz.
Lawyer accused of improperly obtaining neighbour's convictions in driveway stoush
He then revealed the criminal history to a property manager during a mediation meeting.
Car dealer using Govt register to 'bully' former customers
Chris Schwartz has also been sending disgruntled customers pictures of excrement.
'Poor taste': Brown Nose Day trade mark rejected for bowel cancer fundraiser
Cure Kids objected over concerns it would be confused with Red Nose Day.
Police admit 77 min delay in attending Northland child double homicide was a mistake
A woman called police, 'hearing voices'. When they turned up, they'd been dead for hours.
'Sins of his father:' Courts rule if gay man who illegally paid Thai surrogate can adopt son
Judge: 'He has now been born, and as a result, has the right to grow and thrive'.
Builder made false insurance claim on $1.3m policy after build was damaged by heavy rain
He told the client he had taken out $2m in cover, but hadn't. Then it rained.
'I’m horribly ashamed': What did a lawyer spend $700k of his client’s money on?
Aaron Nicholls couldn't tell a tribunal exactly what he'd spent his client's money on.
Murderer finally reveals why he killed cat protection worker
Ashley Peach lured Kerry Downey to his home, then tied her up and strangled her to death.
Enraged butcher was chopping veges before using knives to stab wife to death
Peter Lamont will be released from prison and deported to Britain next year.
'F*** you': Man's human right's case thrown out after he sent abusive messages to courts, lawyer
Hone Puriri Harawira appeared to threaten the lawyer’s family in an abusive email.
'Who does that?' Car dealer pockets customer’s $15k refund, sends them pictures of poo
The couple didn't even get to drive their hybrid Nissan Skyline as a fault was discovered.
Proposed law change would give victims final say on sex offenders remaining secret
Proposed law changes would give victims more power - and more protection.
Civil justice shake-up: Why people may soon be able to claim more in small legal battles
The amount the Disputes Tribunal can award a claimant is currently capped at $30,000.
Karen Aim's teen killer, who spent more than half his life in prison, denied parole
Jahche Broughton beat tourist Karen Aim to death with a baseball bat when he was just 14.
'Far too dangerous:' Teen's fatal plunge into swollen river
Jordan Adams had been drinking with workmates when he jumped into a fast-flowing river.
Mosque shooter’s lawyers fear for their safety, identities to remain secret
Brenton Tarrant's lawyers were granted a rare order to permanently suppress their names.
Teacher allegedly offered teen $10k to not make complaint about sexual advances
'I was so scared, nothing like this had ever happened to me before,' the 17yo girl said.
Fired vet who tried to choke cow after lethal injection didn't work wins $35k payout
Tony Austwick was unjustifiably dismissed after three customers made complaints about him.
'This is a disgusting advert:' Complaints after gay sex education ad runs where kids can see it
"I think any big poster promoting anal sex outside a dairy is a no-go."
Lawyer Tyrone Barugh fails bid to claim $5000 from Jetstar in booking loophole
Justice wouldn't be served by giving the man money he didn't have to start with: Tribunal
'They probably see me as a monster:' Murderer reflects on drug-induced rage killing
Joseph Rota strangled Wellington hairdresser Huri King-Mosen in a jealous rage.
Grooming fears: Calls to ban teachers using social media to contact students
53 teachers have been struck off for forming a relationship with a student since 2014.
Social worker assigned to three children fathers baby with their mother
Oranga Tamariki worker loses licence and is fined $22k for inappropriate relationship.
Employee who worked without pay for two years wins $240K from medical cannabis firm
The man worked for two years without pay.
Parole hearing for man who killed Connor Morris ends in tears
Michael Murray killed Morris with a sickle during a West Auckland street fight.
Gang member in jail for murder: 'It sucks we get associated with people who do crime'
Joel Lo helped beat a man to death in an unprovoked attack in 2012.
Phone repair shop worker caught trying to download customer’s nudes wants to work in security
Since the viral incident the man has been charged and pleaded guilty in court.
Company director 'blackmails' employee for $1.2m after he allegedly stole $400k
Justice Lang said Hua Wu signed an agreement under duress – but took too long to complain.
'I’ve just signed my life away to that woman': Partner's plea for help after changing will
The alterations, made when he had dementia, meant less went to his three daughters.
Man who used billboards to ask woman on date wins $19,000 privacy battle against police
Alexander Pryazhnikov paid for seven billboards asking a Wellington woman out on a date.
'Ticking time bomb': Buyer of retired racehorse asked for refund after bucking episodes
A previous owner described the horse as having 'lost all sense of sanity'.
Drugs and 'macho mentality': What a man who fatally shot undercover cop told parole hearing
John Skinner has been denied parole for the 2008 murder of Sergeant Don Wilkinson.
Barfoot & Thompson: Agency fined for $100k moisture report oversight
The branch failed to supervise two agents who failed to disclose a builder's report.
Man’s 8-month battle with 2 Cheap Cars for refund after faulty hybrid battery
2 Cheap Cars has now admitted it didn't do the battery repairs it said it had.
Realtor made secret commission deal with buyer of $26.5m property, then didn't pay up
Now he's been fined after netting $326,000 in a deal he hid from the vendor and his boss.
Ritchies driver left man who had fallen under bus lying unconscious on footpath
The driver was dismissed after failing to assist the injured man or report the incident.
‘Incalculable harm’: Gym coach who sexually abused sleeping girls wants shorter jail term
Gregory Pask filmed himself violating multiple young victims over a period of 9 years.
MAFS star loses realtor licence for not completing Māori cultural course
Wilson said he had no issue with the course but didn't have time to do it before filming.
Soldier accused of selling spent ammunition, explosives on TradeMe
Staff Sgt. Brian Egerton admits to collecting the ammunition but denies stealing army kit.
'Nudism': Owner of banned photos showing naked, underage girls argues they should be legal
Classification Office ruling: When nudity becomes sexual.
'I shouldn’t have been so explicit': Teacher regrets discussing rape with 12yo students
The reliever is facing serious misconduct allegations for her conduct at two schools.
'Get your ugly...face out of my face:' Teacher allegedly told boy asking for extra work
She's also accused of using racial slurs and talking about gangs and rape with students.
'Cold-blooded act of killing:' Elderly Triad assassin to remain behind bars
Wan Yee Chow gunned down a gang enforcer outside an Auckland karaoke bar in 2005.
Killer who beat man to death with a wheel brace was full of 'righteous anger'
Peter Holmes murdered Jamie Ellis after hearing he had allegedly abused a woman.
Lawyer struck off for aiding and abetting migrants, lying to immigration
One man was promised a job as an engineer but ended up working as a painter.
'Fall from Grace': Lawyer who stole elderly client’s life savings given second chance
Leuatea Iosefa stole $83,000 from a widow and used it to pay off his own debts.
‘Error-ridden:’ Builder took 16 months to complete 2 months' work, fined $430k
Simon Washbourne fixed the weatherboards incorrectly and installed windows that leaked.
Family 'robbed' of chance to help suicidal father
The DHB failed to tell Allan Peeperkoorn’s family about his deteriorating mental health.
'Degrading': Man who undressed, photographed sleeping woman avoids deportation
A judge labelled Shein Saena's actions as “embarrassing, degrading and humiliating."
‘I think I am going to die’: Adrenaline incorrectly administered sends patient into cardiac arrest
An ambulance had been called to the woman who was experiencing an anaphylactic reaction.
Lawyer promised DJ lessons as payment, then tried to sue his client
Jason Yang forged invoices to hide his client from his employer before suing the DJ.
'I consider you like a boyfriend': Dilworth teacher told 14yo
Paul Artus has lost his teaching registration for his conduct towards students.
‘Appalling cultural appropriation’: Craft beer featuring Māori explorer to be removed
The brewery responsible said it 'simply didn’t ask anyone if it might be offensive'.
'Meme for profit': Company slammed for using pics of crying boy without consent
The boy was bullied and harassed after the company's advertising campaign began.
Builder Kiel Rangi keeps licence after skipping out on $70k botch-up
None of the walls were straight and all the weatherboards had been put on wrong.
'I do regret that night:' Dad spent 35 years looking for daughter killed in cult
Toddler Tillie Craig was beaten to death by her mother in 1987.
'Insult to injury:' Corrections evicts veteran prison officer over unclean house
Sharon Irwin claims it's retribution for suing her employer after an inmate broke her arm.
Kiwi mum sentenced for killing toddler at cult
Ellen Craig beat her own daughter to death then covered it up for 35 years.
Top jockey caught with cocaine in his system claims he mistakenly ingested it in a drink
The A-class jockey has now been given his second ban from the sport since 2021.
‘The Big Fella’ Jonah Lomu documentary gets $800k funding
A documentary described as Jonah Lomu's legacy will focus on both the good and the bad.
'His will was clear': Jonah Lomu trademark battle over, doco gets green light
Widow v lawyer: Ruling determines who owns the rights to Lomu's legacy.
'Social rehabilitation': Injured man wanted ACC to buy him 4WD to go hunting and fishing
He claimed it would would help manage his depression.
Teacher accused of asking student for a kiss cleared of any wrongdoing
The school has commended the former student in coming forward.
'Sexual innuendo': Former mayoral candidate sent students inappropriate pictures
Latham Martin: 'I deny all allegations of a sexual or intimate nature with the boys'.
'Significant consequences:' Errors in car parking building design cost council $19m
Now three engineers are facing negligence allegations at a disciplinary hearing.
'I'm not a freeloader:' Man who lived rent-free for 15 months overturns order he pay landlord $52k
The Camerons lived rent-free for 15 months, now they only have to fork out half the bill.
'I feel cheated': Tetraplegic denied ACC care despite missed meningitis diagnosis
Glen Murphy has exhausted every opportunity for taxpayer-funded care.
Jail for assistant high school principal who gave student sex toy, groomed her
Seelan Ramiah has been jailed for grooming the James Cook High teen.
Security worker with links to Mongols offered to be on Ardern’s security team
Police said John Doherty appeared to be 'delusional'. He said he was 'aiming high'.
'Discredit to the profession:' Doctor suspended after having sex with patient at clinic
Mokesh Raj also 'hypothetically' offered another patient money in exchange for sex.
'I wish I got a second opinion': Women left blind in one eye after missed diagnosis
Despite two surgeries, it was too late to save the woman's eye.
Businessman dubbed ‘little prince' of counterfeit cigarettes faces deportation
Han Zhang, who imported drugs and tobacco, wanted to remain in NZ to be close to his son.
Did a realtor know gang members lived next door to property he was selling?
The unhappy new owner claims the agent didn't disclose it. The agent says he didn't know.
ECE teacher hid vodka in Gatorade bottle and drank it while supervising children
Later at a staff meeting she was slurring her words, was confused - and still drinking.
NZTA staffer gave confidential driver info to gang members in exchange for meth
The King Cobras members then used it to find motorists after road-rage incidents.
'Devastating': Baby died after hospital staff delayed C-section
The newborn had a brain injury caused by inadequate oxygen and later died.
'Likely there will be another victim': Journalist's high-risk killer set for prison release
Nicho Waipuka's reason for the fatal beating was that he was 'just young, I guess'.
Baby turned blue while Starship Hospital nurse sat in armchair with headphones on
An alarm had been blaring for nearly half a minute but Vickie Wade didn't hear it.
Behind bars: Man who stabbed his neighbour to death says he's learnt to be patient
“They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, perhaps that’s not true.”
‘Do not kiss children:’ Reliever warned by manager about conduct
The man said the line for physical touch was blurry and his training didn't cover it.