Open Justice multimedia journalist, Whanganui
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Woman’s lower legs amputated after immediate action not taken
'The patient should have been referred immediately to an emergency facility,' HDC rules.
900kg bull known as 'Big Boy' responsible for man's death on farm
Robert William Hewitt died after being attacked by the bull at his property in Gore.
Convicted sex offender travels world for 17 years on false passport in brother’s name
The offending undermined New Zealand's immigration system worldwide, a judge says.
Police justified in punching offender in head during arrest, IPCA finds
The aggressive man was also wrestled to the ground and bitten by a police dog.
Gang links, meth and property damage: Tenants owe landlord $30,000
“It was really certain they were cooking and producing a lot of meth at that property."
Family feud erupts in public as mum's car bashed with bat at city intersection
This was done in broad daylight and in full view of any member of the public,' judge says
'Over my dead body': Father attacks police officers uplifting his daughter
A parenting order stated the 4-year-old was meant to be in the care of her mother.
Kitchen hand gets $19k after she was sacked for raising concerns about being underpaid
'These were serious breaches of good faith and procedural fairness,' the ERA ruled.
'Surprising' argument: Tribunal rejects couple's view they could live rent-free
The couple are now challenging the ruling in the District Court and Tenancy Tribunal.
Controversial staff Peakon survey: Social worker gets $25,000 compensation after going to ERA
The worker and manager exchanged allegations of bullying behaviour.
Gang associate involved in fatal shooting released despite objection from victim's mother
Victim's mum wanted Anthony Kuru to serve sentence in recognition of the harm he caused.
'How could I face my kids?' Gang president fights manslaughter conviction
Damien Kuru says he didn't have anything to do with the death of a rival gang member.
Exploitation of immigrant worker costs kebab store owner $48k
The boss told a worker he ‘did not believe in that stuff’ when queried about holiday pay.
Trusted 'Grandad' figure jailed for sexually abusing young girl
A young girl was sexually abused by a man her mother thought she could trust.
A landlord's nightmare: Graffiti on the walls, damaged floors and a missing driveway
'The driveway had been removed by the tenant without permission.'
Baby killer deemed undue risk for parole as statutory release date approaches
Nicho Frater used methamphetamine before killing a baby in a fit of frustration.
Forgery ring foiled, fake documents shut down by Customs
'New Zealand must act or show itself to act as a good global citizen,' judge said.
Gangster due to fly free denied parole after dumb decisions
Gordon Runga was ready to be paroled from prison until he got caught climbing the fence.
'I'll ... shoot you and you won’t be seen again': Extortion after man wears rival colours on gang's turf
The terrified victim went into hiding for a year after the standover.
'Utter nonsense': Disqualified, drugged driver claims victim jumped in front of him
“Your story about the victim jumping in front of your bike is utter nonsense.”
'Rubber stamped': Immigration visa application lacked merit
The visa application had a 'high risk of decline' with 'little chance of success'.
Four year ban imposed on social cricketer who imported $4k of steroids
The cricketer claimed somebody else had bought the drugs and used his address.
Neighbours at war: Rowdy car exhausts vs illegal camera surveillance
Tenant claims it was a “borderline harassment situation” before she was given notice.
Victim's hospital bed interview didn't result in miscarriage of justice
“It shows the complainant in the immediate aftermath of the incident."
'Vulnerable': Police failed in death of man who had been in custody
Further training needed in the use of restraint chairs after death in police custody.
Unruly neighbour: Kāinga Ora must pay woman over tenant's wild parties and 'abusive behaviour'
Government housing agency ordered to pay out again over noisy tenants.
Officers cleared after man bitten during arrest
Man stole two cars and fled police before he was found hiding in bushes.
Threat to blow up newspaper office results in jail sentence
The judge acknowledged the significant emotional impact the man's actions had
Award-winning chef to fork out $40k to worker he verbally abused, failed to pay
Manawatū Chef of the Year Grant Kitchen claimed there was no employment relationship.
'Excessive': Use of police dog to bite restrained man not justified
'It was not likely he was about to escape arrest' - IPCA.
Risky business: ACC persists in appeal on timber sellers' classification
ACC is determined not to concede defeat after courts repeatedly rule against levy lifts.
Corrections counts the cost after inmate's roof rampage
Inmate's rampage causes $240,560 in damage.
Sexual predator sentenced to 13 years' jail for degrading abuse
'You are a sexual predator who uses whatever means available to get whatever you wanted.'
Gang president's manslaughter conviction deemed a miscarriage of justice
Damien Kuru has lost his appeal against his manslaughter conviction.
Threat to knife neighbour results in tenant's immediate eviction
Mac Pulefale threatened his neighbour that "if they got involved, they would get knifed”.
Gangsters jailed for fatal shooting of rival test positive for drugs - denied parole
Three Black Power members have been denied parole.
Controversial hotel bed tax approved by country's highest court
After a lengthy legal battle, Auckland Council's hotel bed tax is approved.
Migrant employee underpaid for three years awarded $44k
The worker was told he would be fired if he complained, the ERA heard.
Driver deemed unfit to stand trial for manslaughter after dementia diagnosis
Stanley Hiroti won't go on trial for causing the fatal crash while driving drunk.
Conviction for death of gang rival stands by majority verdict
Damien Shane Kuru's manslaughter conviction appeal dismissed but one judge disagrees.
Dad focused on drugs instead of protecting his daughters from repeated physical abuse
Both girls had numerous broken bones, some of which were healing.
'Lucky to survive': Man sentenced after lawyer knocked out with single punch
Villiome Kuruyabaki was lucky the victim of his attack didn't die, the court heard.
Chinese couple lose $225k after immigration adviser neglects obligations
Visa application stipulated couple must buy property from connected company.
Renter awarded almost $12k refund and damages for unlawful unit
Tribunal awards tenant $11,775 to discourage landlords from leasing unlawful premises.
MBIE ordered to pay compensation, reinstate worker after unlawful sacking
'It was not open for the ministry to conclude there had been misconduct.'
Officer justified in punching teen in face as he reached for hidden bong
'It was his favourite bong, and he did not want it to be taken by police.'
Sacked building boss claims he's owed $1.7m in bonuses
The general manager lost his job following a company restructuring process.
Dad found guilty of sexual abuse of daughter
Father found guilty of sexually abusing his young daughter kept in custody for sentencing.
'Want to go dancing': ACC ordered to cover 19 year old injury
Gaynor Downes burst into tears after ACC was ordered to finally cover shoulder injury.
Mother and daughter banned from greyhound racing over positive drug tests
Until this prosecution, the Racing Integrity Board has never laid dual charges.
Rapist's defence that victim reluctantly consented to sex rejected
Sexual assault laws need reform says expert after man uses reluctant consent defence.
Girl tells police of dad's alleged sexual abuse
“I tried to roll off but I couldn’t because he was holding me.”
Sexual predator fails to cut minimum time behind bars
Rapist told victim - “that’s what love is, that’s what you get for being my girlfriend".
On the run: Woman who kicked police fails to appear for sentencing
Geneva Patea was due to be sentenced this week but failed to appear.
Christian woman with no criminal history meted out vicious assault on roadside
Her victim suffered brain bleeds after being kicked and punched on the ground.
Salon junior wins almost $34k after unjustified dismissal
Employee who suffered distress, anxiety and worry after being fired wins compensation.
Care facility failure: Vomiting, diarrhoea but too late to call the doctor
The HDC considered the failures of staff demonstrated a pattern of 'suboptimal care'.
Unhappy tenant awarded $9000 over freezing, noisy, unlawful flat
The tenant was entitled to quiet enjoyment of her home without disturbance - tribunal.
'Vulnerable' migrant worker sacked without warning, awarded $17k
Jungbin Son relied on his job to remain in New Zealand.
Grandmother jailed after spending spree using stolen bank cards
A woman who keeps ignoring orders of the District Court is now going to jail.
'You were at fault': Judge sets sex offender straight after victim blamed for his assault
“She was not at fault, you were at fault. She did nothing wrong.”
'Serious violence': Blow from baseball bat snaps victim's arm
'If you had connected with his head, you could well have killed him.'
Trusted grandfather figure admits sexually abusing girl
A trusted grandfather figure changes plea to admit sexual abuse of young girl.
Man's hidden cameras capture ex-partner in compromising positions
“She felt upset and disgusted at the intrusion on her privacy.”
Violent offender vows to change for his children
“He wants to become a working and contributing member of society.”
Trusted granddad raped and sexually abused young girl for two years, Crown claims
Sinister side of trusted grandfather emerged after bedtime, sexual abuse victim claims.
Access to justice could be stripped from rural communities, mayor warns
“It’s demeaning and unnecessary because the facilities have been dropped."
Mother-of-two sobs as she's jailed for knuckle-duster assault
Andrea Leota wore knuckle-dusters to inflict maximum violence on her victim.
'Meth more common': SPCA calls for end to greyhound racing
Animal welfare activists want the tote closed on the sport after ongoing meth detections.
Stud farm owner banned for life from racing industry after mare's death
It was one of the worst cases of neglect to come before a racing authority.
Caretaker paedophile's appeal against conviction thrown out by court of last resort
Makshud Ahmed was a school caretaker when he sexually abused a young boy.
Texting teenage mental health patient could result in legal action against nurse
The nurse asked the teen for a photo of his muscles, commenting he'd always liked them.
Privileged prisoners lose perks after escape attempt, vandalism and discovery of contraband
Chief custodial officer says the three inmates behaviour was 'clearly unacceptable'.
Black Power enforcer to step down from gang to focus on his whānau
The sergeant at arms is currently in jail for the death of a rival gang member.
Disqualified driver escapes punishment for flouting court orders
Driver disqualified after almost killing victim back behind wheel without consequences,
Man found not guilty of raping sleeping woman
Riccardo Gilheaney-Fraser was found not guilty of rape after a week long trial.
Man with hip replacements died of heart failure after heavy metal levels weren't checked
HDC: Toxicity buildup went undiagnosed and contributed to his eventual heart failure.
Unvaccinated worker told he read too much bulls**t on internet
Worker claims boss said he was brainwashed and read too much bulls*** on the internet.