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.
![Behind bars: Man who stabbed his neighbour to death says he's learnt to be patient](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
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](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘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.
![Police chose not to charge teacher with child exploitation material on his school laptop](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Police chose not to charge teacher with child exploitation material on his school laptop
Tribunal says teacher's claim of lack of interest in pornography 'unbelievable'.
![Early childhood teacher allegedly kissed 3yo on lips](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Early childhood teacher allegedly kissed 3yo on lips
"Cuddling is fine but a kiss is different," one of the man's colleagues told a tribunal.
![NZ lawyer cleared of wrongdoing for conduct in Australian courtroom](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
NZ lawyer cleared of wrongdoing for conduct in Australian courtroom
The man was embroiled in an international custody battle for his stepdaughter.
![$9k for a year’s work: Former uni lecturer short-changes student](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
$9k for a year’s work: Former uni lecturer short-changes student
The dream job turned out to be a nightmare for the former master's student.
!['A liar and a predator:' Victim confronts soldier who filmed naked teens in shower](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'A liar and a predator:' Victim confronts soldier who filmed naked teens in shower
One of the victims was only 11 to 13 at the time.
!['Obnoxious and offensive:' Soldier who groped bartenders booted out of army](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Obnoxious and offensive:' Soldier who groped bartenders booted out of army
'What the accused did to me made me feel like a piece of meat,' one of his victims said.
![‘Inappropriately pushy:’ Woman followed by security guard felt afraid and pressured](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Inappropriately pushy:’ Woman followed by security guard felt afraid and pressured
The woman told police she felt pressured to give him her number and social media details.
![Soldier allegedly called superior a 'ballbag' after groping women at boozy function](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Soldier allegedly called superior a 'ballbag' after groping women at boozy function
'I could visibly see that she was uncomfortable' bar staffer said about woman he touched.
![Trespassed realtor threatened to sue tenant for 'every loss'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Trespassed realtor threatened to sue tenant for 'every loss'
Tanya Lieven's conduct is under the microscope for the third time.
![Lawyer who strangled girlfriend allowed to practise again under new name](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Lawyer who strangled girlfriend allowed to practise again under new name
'A criminal should not be permitted to defend other criminals, it's as simple as that.'
!['Oh no, she's gone': Kiwi mum's first words after beating toddler to death at cult](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Oh no, she's gone': Kiwi mum's first words after beating toddler to death at cult
Ellen Craig has admitted killing her 2-year-old with a piece of plastic pipe.
!['Undue influence:' Women claim their uncle drained grandmother's $2.5m estate](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Undue influence:' Women claim their uncle drained grandmother's $2.5m estate
Their uncle was the sole executor and the sole beneficiary of the will.
![Woman takes boyfriend to disputes tribunal after he misses airport drop-off. She misses concert](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Woman takes boyfriend to disputes tribunal after he misses airport drop-off. She misses concert
The pair's relationship did not survive the legal spat and they are now separated.
![‘Cold’ and ‘calculating’ conman defrauded businesses out of $450k](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Cold’ and ‘calculating’ conman defrauded businesses out of $450k
'It had a massive impact on our business….but he also just left a trail of destruction.'
![Fatal kiss: Murderer grilled about FB comments he was 'born to kill'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fatal kiss: Murderer grilled about FB comments he was 'born to kill'
Theodore Derrick-Hardie stabbed another teen to death for kissing his ex-girlfriend.
![Man who lived with murdered girlfriend’s corpse for nearly a month denied parole](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Man who lived with murdered girlfriend’s corpse for nearly a month denied parole
Gordon Hieatt strangled his girlfriend to death during a fight about rent.
!['It's simply not enough': Funding running out for prisoner tattoo removal scheme](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'It's simply not enough': Funding running out for prisoner tattoo removal scheme
Te Kahui Kani is removing his Mongrel Mob tattoos - but only has funding for 6 sessions.
![Assistant principal who gave students sex toys facing criminal charges](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Assistant principal who gave students sex toys facing criminal charges
Seelan Ramiah sent naked pictures of himself to a student and a colleague.
![Assistant principal offered students sex toys at school](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Assistant principal offered students sex toys at school
Seelan Ramiah abused his position of authority for his own sexual gratification.
!['Unsubstantiated' claims in independent radio station's anti-vaccine advert](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Unsubstantiated' claims in independent radio station's anti-vaccine advert
The advert claimed "tens of thousands" of people had been harmed by the vaccine.
![Struck-off lawyer implies PM supported his comeback](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Struck-off lawyer implies PM supported his comeback
However, Christopher Luxon's office said it knew nothing about the case.
![New World MasterChef cookwear promo labelled 'big con job', taken to Disputes Tribunal](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
New World MasterChef cookwear promo labelled 'big con job', taken to Disputes Tribunal
The supermarket chain ran out of free cookware, sparking outrage last year.
!['I ballsed up': Top horse trainer caught cheating refused to hand over evidence](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'I ballsed up': Top horse trainer caught cheating refused to hand over evidence
'If I could go back in time and change things I would...I lost 35 years of work overnight'
![‘Sleazy: Rest home manager censured for 'sex robot' comments to student nurses](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Sleazy: Rest home manager censured for 'sex robot' comments to student nurses
Michael Sobrevilla asked one for a picture of her face to use on a sex robot.
!['Incompetent': Draftsman charged $100k for ‘illegible’ consent plans](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Incompetent': Draftsman charged $100k for ‘illegible’ consent plans
The Auckland District Council found 108 errors in one set of drawings submitted to them.
![Landlord tried to evict disabled car crash victim for not keeping rental clean](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Landlord tried to evict disabled car crash victim for not keeping rental clean
The tenant would have been left homeless if the landlord had been successful.
![Woman who left 29kg mother on tarpaulin to starve to death released from prison](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Woman who left 29kg mother on tarpaulin to starve to death released from prison
It was estimated Cindy Taylor's mother went up to 15 days without food before dying.
![‘I chopped up my wife’: Papatoetoe meat cleaver wife murderer to remain behind bars](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘I chopped up my wife’: Papatoetoe meat cleaver wife murderer to remain behind bars
Zeshen Zhou couldn't handle his marriage ending, so he killed his wife.
!['We would like confirmation': Murdering mobster claims he's given up his gang patch](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'We would like confirmation': Murdering mobster claims he's given up his gang patch
Quentin Duff wants out of prison, but the Parole Board wants proof he's left the gang.
![Lawyer at centre of 'spider's web' property conspiracy wants licence back](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Lawyer at centre of 'spider's web' property conspiracy wants licence back
James Dorbu orchestrated a complex conspiracy to force a buyer out of a property deal.
![‘Troubling parallels’: Killer recalled to prison after fears for partner's safety](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Troubling parallels’: Killer recalled to prison after fears for partner's safety
Tony Tiumalu stabbed his girlfriend to death on her birthday at a public beach in 2005.
![Jailed paedophile with 'above average' risk of reoffending released four years early](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Jailed paedophile with 'above average' risk of reoffending released four years early
Matthew Kelly paid a woman to send him a video of herself abusing an infant.
!['The Australians are not as civilised as us:' Kiwi lawyer faces nine conduct charges](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'The Australians are not as civilised as us:' Kiwi lawyer faces nine conduct charges
'New Zealanders there do not get a fair deal,' he said of the Australian Family Court.
![Police ordered to pay sexual assault complainant $50k](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Police ordered to pay sexual assault complainant $50k
The tribunal has also told police to explain why they didn't charge the alleged abuser.
![‘Ignorant woman:’ Lawyer’s comments to judge earn him suspension](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Ignorant woman:’ Lawyer’s comments to judge earn him suspension
He claimed a judge was sexist and labelled the court a "vagina court".
![Housekeeper's illegitimate love child wins paternity declaration](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Housekeeper's illegitimate love child wins paternity declaration
Uploading her DNA to a website helped an elderly woman connect with her estranged family.
![‘It makes me sick:’ Massage therapist filmed clients, touched them inappropriately](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘It makes me sick:’ Massage therapist filmed clients, touched them inappropriately
The masseur faced criminal charges after being caught making videos of his patients.
![Man jailed for role in $6m property scam to be deported](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Man jailed for role in $6m property scam to be deported
The elaborate scam involved forged documents, phoney invoices and took years to pull off.
![Doctor who prescribed ADHD medication without approval to pay $175k, suspended](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Doctor who prescribed ADHD medication without approval to pay $175k, suspended
Dr Tony Hanne prescribed ADHD medication on 5662 occasions without approval.
!['Persistent manipulative grooming': Man sent teen love letters from prison](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Persistent manipulative grooming': Man sent teen love letters from prison
Michael Cook was able to meet with the girl four times, despite being on bail.
!['Who's going to watch him?': Butcher who murdered his wife could be released](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Who's going to watch him?': Butcher who murdered his wife could be released
Peter Lamont broke three knives when stabbing his wife 25 times at their West Coast home.
![Kardashian-backed skincare giant loses trademark dispute against West Coast startup](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Kardashian-backed skincare giant loses trademark dispute against West Coast startup
Manuka Doctor argued that startup Manuka Medic's name was too similar.
![‘I would like to have sex with you’: Teacher allegedly told 12yo at exclusive school](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘I would like to have sex with you’: Teacher allegedly told 12yo at exclusive school
The man taught at one the country’s most-prestigious private schools.
![Couple handed over money to secure rental - but it was all a scam](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Couple handed over money to secure rental - but it was all a scam
They lost $2750 in bond and rent after a scammer piggybacked off a real house viewing.
![Double-murderer marries but wife not allowed to live at his council-owned flat](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Double-murderer marries but wife not allowed to live at his council-owned flat
Douglas Thompson gunned down his former partner and her new boyfriend in 2001.
![Teen's sentence for raping two girls is to pay $3k 'gesture of goodwill'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Teen's sentence for raping two girls is to pay $3k 'gesture of goodwill'
He took one girl's virginity and raped the other as she slept.
![Lawyer who assaulted 3-year-old, stole $150k from client refused appeal hearing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Lawyer who assaulted 3-year-old, stole $150k from client refused appeal hearing
He admitted assaulting a child in 2008. Then he tried to quash it.
![‘Bizarre’: Lawyer made himself sole beneficiary of client’s will](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Bizarre’: Lawyer made himself sole beneficiary of client’s will
He has now been censured and ordered to pay a fine for the misconduct.
![Teacher admits sending naked pictures to students, offering them sex toys](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Teacher admits sending naked pictures to students, offering them sex toys
He offered to teach a female student how to perform a sex act.
![Lawyer son allegedly took $190k from mum's estate after she died](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Lawyer son allegedly took $190k from mum's estate after she died
The lawyer also allegedly used $200k from a family trust to help his struggling business.
![Luxury hotel chain's missing $50k surfaces after accidental transfer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Luxury hotel chain's missing $50k surfaces after accidental transfer
Habitat Hotels had to take Hamilton Movers to court to get its money back.
![Court finds ‘perception of bias’ linked to hearings for mass murderer](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Court finds ‘perception of bias’ linked to hearings for mass murderer
Raymond Ratima, who killed seven relatives, is now entitled to another parole hearing.
![Carpenter charged $20k for work visa - then fired two months later](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Carpenter charged $20k for work visa - then fired two months later
A Chinese migrant was charged a 'grossly excessive' fee for a work visa.
![Luxury hotel puts $50k into the wrong account - now the other company won't give it back](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Luxury hotel puts $50k into the wrong account - now the other company won't give it back
Hamilton Movers paid back $20k but won't say where the remaining $50k is.
![The Porsche, the police and the privacy request: One man's fight for information](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
The Porsche, the police and the privacy request: One man's fight for information
Stephen Rendell says police wouldn't release data that could have helped him in court.
![‘Highly suspicious': Realtor’s licence cancelled for duplicating signatures on $2m sale](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘Highly suspicious': Realtor’s licence cancelled for duplicating signatures on $2m sale
No apology or regret from former-agent, says tribunal.
![‘I hate myself': Mass murderer's u-turn, admits he intended to kill family](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
‘I hate myself': Mass murderer's u-turn, admits he intended to kill family
Raymond Ratima killed seven of his family members in 1992.
!['Throwing darts at the wall': Kardashian-backed skincare company escalates trademark dispute](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Throwing darts at the wall': Kardashian-backed skincare company escalates trademark dispute
Manuka Doctor claims Manuka Medic is too similar and customers will get confused.
![Struck-off lawyer appeals 15-year-old guilty plea for abusing child](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Struck-off lawyer appeals 15-year-old guilty plea for abusing child
Last year Alwyn O'Connor was struck off for taking money from a vulnerable client.
![Mum confronts driver who dragged her son to death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Mum confronts driver who dragged her son to death
Raynor Cribb was dragged 80m to his death under a car by a driver who knew he was there.
![Is a patched Head Hunter a suitable person to work as a security guard?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Is a patched Head Hunter a suitable person to work as a security guard?
A man was given the choice to trade in his gang patch for a security licence.
![Realtor faces five-year ban for refusing Māori values course she calls 'woke madness’](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Realtor faces five-year ban for refusing Māori values course she calls 'woke madness’
The one-and-a-half-hour course was compulsory for all real estate agents in 2023.
!['His approach was one of avoidance': Lawyer who owed $223k in taxes suspended](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'His approach was one of avoidance': Lawyer who owed $223k in taxes suspended
Christopher Persson didn't pay any taxes for nearly 11 years.
![Long-running feud between couple and school leads to $25k payout](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Long-running feud between couple and school leads to $25k payout
What started as an information request spiralled into multiple investigations.
!['I wish I wasn’t in this situation': OT foster mum following death of teen](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'I wish I wasn’t in this situation': OT foster mum following death of teen
Sonny Marks was 14 when he died on New Year's Day in 2019.
!['I want answers:' Mother of teen who died in Oranga Tamariki care gives evidence](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'I want answers:' Mother of teen who died in Oranga Tamariki care gives evidence
Ana Ransfield received the worst call possible - eight hours too late.
![Top horse trainer fined $10,000 for racist abuse of Indian stablehand](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Top horse trainer fined $10,000 for racist abuse of Indian stablehand
'It wouldn’t matter if an Indian died, there would still be a billion left.'
![Peeping tom caught spying on female colleague through toilet wall](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Peeping tom caught spying on female colleague through toilet wall
Tarun Kumar was ordered to pay his former colleague $30,000 in compensation.
!['Obstructive and unco-operative’ security guard loses licence](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
'Obstructive and unco-operative’ security guard loses licence
Anzac Simi served eight years in prison for sexual offences against children.
![Fowl play: Duckling dispute leads to assault on hotel employee](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Fowl play: Duckling dispute leads to assault on hotel employee
John Wright was awarded $42,000 after his face was smashed into a freezer door.
![Are bad landlords really held to account?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Are bad landlords really held to account?
Renter advocates say bad landlords should face disciplinary action.
![Company must pay worker who made $30k worth of errors](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Company must pay worker who made $30k worth of errors
The employee was allegedly studying when he should have been working.
![Insults fly after home owner refuses to pay tradie](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Insults fly after home owner refuses to pay tradie
The tradie retaliated by calling the home owner a “child molester” and a “con man”.
![My precious: Man sues fianceé for $45k engagement ring after split](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
My precious: Man sues fianceé for $45k engagement ring after split
He wanted the ring back to restore him to his previous financial position.
![Engineer pleads guilty over fraudulently signing off homes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Engineer pleads guilty over fraudulently signing off homes
Hundreds of homes across the country are affected by the engineering forgeries.
![Doctor formed relationship with patient, prescribed him opioids](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Doctor formed relationship with patient, prescribed him opioids
Relationship began seven months after she was caught prescribing herself medicines.