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.
'You’ve got a mental illness': Second video emerges of lawyer yelling at protesters
Paul Fisher has been filmed yelling at protesters in 2023 and 2025.
Law firms lose more than $2m to scammers posing as ANZ employees
'Why would I need to lie about my job?' one of the scammers asked NZME when confronted.
‘You anti-Semite racist pig': Lawyer videoed yelling at pro-Palestine protesters
'Shame on you,' lawyer Paul Fisher yelled repeatedly at the protesters.
‘I never thought I’d be believed:’ Man sexually assaulted teen he met on dating website
'You were an adult man preying on young boys.'
Doctor, ex-TVNZ presenter ordered to pay $148k for 'misleading' Covid-19 videos
Samantha Bailey posted Covid-19 misinformation to her YouTube channel.
‘Avoidable’: Coroner finds patient had the means and opportunity to end his life
Shaun Gray died in Palmerston North Hospital's Ward 21 which is 'not fit for purpose'.
GP practising again after having sex with vulnerable patient
Dr Salil Elias denied having sex with the woman but DNA testing proved otherwise.
Disgraced car dealer known for sending customers lewd photos owes $620k
Chris Schwartz has a penchant for sending disgruntled customers pictures of excrement.
Doctor gave student erectile dysfunction meds, told him it was for jetlag
The doctor was discharged without conviction, avoided suspension and kept his name secret.
Killer babysitter fearful of leaving prison, admits sabotaging own freedom chances
Tiana Kapea tortured and murdered 10-month-old Jyniah Te Awa.
'Genuinely thought he’d changed:' The lawyer, the conman and $333k in stolen legal aid
Lawyer Chris Tennet gave a conman a chance, but Brian Hunter hadn't really changed.
'Racist:' Man tries to take case against Apple Sales claiming his iPad’s voice function has an accent
Taiming Zhang has tried to sue a hotel and a restaurant. Now he's tried to take on Apple.
Teacher disguised himself, swapped drugs for oral sex with student
The girl didn't realise it was her teacher as his face was partially covered.
‘Peril to the public’: Lawyer allegedly falsified judge’s minute, court records
Ben Wong has been suspended while a tribunal investigates his conduct.
'You took a piece of me': Man still unable to explain why he raped pensioner
Peter Niko subjected the woman to a prolonged attack after tricking his way into her home.
Man with brain damage refused booze at Countdown supermarkets for looking drunk
Two Countdown stores refused Grant Pratt so he took them to the Human Rights Commission.
‘Golden ticket’: Father’s court battle to try to stop daughter attending top private school
Her mother wants her at St Cuth's and says not going is like spurning a 'golden ticket'.
Corrections psychologist and inmate’s love affair: ‘All I know is I want to be with you’
The senior professional wrote a treatment report for her lover to help him gain parole.
Jockey forges signature to withdraw brother’s race winnings
Ashvin Mudhoo needed the money to help with a new visa application.
'Meticulous' teen farm hand fatally electrocuted while installing fence
Jayden Disher was setting up a fence when the wire touched low-hanging powerlines.
‘Helpless screams’: Puppies beaten by owner with a fence paling
Crimson Toto beat his two puppies with a fence paling. One never recovered.
‘I’m disgusted at myself’: Teacher admits trying to buy ADHD meds from student
"I’ve been trying to get some black-market Ritalin or Concerta but haven’t had much luck."
‘I was ready to blow’: Man who murdered his girlfriend and lived with her corpse blames stress
Gordon Hieatt strangled Nuttidar Vaikaew to death in her Auckland apartment.
Intern says she was afraid to speak up after lawyer’s Xmas party antics
The senior partner allegedly made lewd comments and inappropriately touched other staff.
One of priest’s victims feigned appendicitis hoping to avoid boarding school abuse
Michael O'Donnell is the third Hato Pāora College staffer to be convicted of sex crimes.
'Not in any mood to forgive': Son of slain teacher says young killer shouldn't be released
Jameel Job broke into Barbara Julian's house and beat her to death.
Man takes case against hotel after Coke flavour isn’t available
Taiming Zhang wanted a Jack Daniels with Coke No Sugar but the hotel only had Coke Zero.
Lawyer used 'devious' conduct to obtain neighbour’s convictions in driveway stoush
He then presented the information to their property manager, and the neighbour's wife.
Disgraced car dealer sent customer photos of excrement & genitalia
The ex-dealer has had multiple rulings made against him by a vehicle disputes tribunal.
'Loss of dignity': Benefit fraudster wins compo for privacy breach during MSD investigation
Peter Thomas and his wife defrauded two agencies out of a combined $227,000.
Jailed Dilworth teacher dies days after compassionate release
Robert Wynward sexually abused eight young boys at the Auckland boarding school.
No consent: Landfill company ordered to pay $30k after post-cyclone slip
But the landowners have been left with a clean-up bill of almost $100,000.
'Need for protection': Teen sportsman banned from competing to protect girl he abused
'She is entitled to be safe and to feel safe from having further contact with [him]'.
'Subterfuge': Man awarded $60k after devices taken from desk during orchestrated meeting
Tribunal: It was 'manifestly unfair' and an 'unreasonable intrusion' into his affairs.
'If you don't have money, don't bother': One man's battle for justice over rent-free debacle
Neil Cameron's fight involved the Tenancy and Disputes Tribunals and the district court.
'Debtor is unable to pay:' One man’s two-year battle to reclaim $22k paid for work never done
'If they had the power this whole process could have been wrapped up fairly quickly.'
‘No progress’: Notorious rapist Roger Kahui declined parole
Roger Kahui refuses to see a psychologist or engage with rehab programmes behind bars.
‘Have a horrible holiday:’ Pet-sitter’s horrific message as couple watch dog die on CCTV
Judith Webby has a long history of upsetting flatmates, and home- and pet-owners.
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.