Ric Stevens is a Multimedia Journalist specialising in Open Justice reporting at Hawke's Bay Today.
I have worked in journalism for about 40 years, including as a political reporter at Parliament and in senior roles at a number of daily newspapers. In the course of my career I have met 10 prime ministers and covered topics as diverse as riots, earthquakes and murder trials, among many other things. I stepped aside from daily journalism for a while in 2016 to complete a master's degree and then found myself working for four years on the front line of the criminal justice system, as a probation officer. This has helped inform my current reporting on crime and justice. I was delighted to be able to come back to journalism as a member of NZME's Open Justice team in 2022.
Migrant workers in visa scam each paid $16k for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery jobs that did not exist
The eight men arrived in New Zealand to find the jobs did not exist.
Supreme Court blocks disgraced lawyer Davina Reid's bid for reinstatement
Davina Reid (nee Murray) smuggled contraband into prison for a prisoner she later married.
Watchdog slams ‘grossly inadequate’ ruling on cop who used belt to ‘reset’ his kids
The officer said he used the belt when other methods of discipline failed.
'He's a monster:' Victim fights for prolific Dilworth paedophile to stay behind bars
Ian Wilson has appeared before the Parole Board for the fifth time since he was jailed.
‘Easy money:’ How string of life setbacks led man to become meth courier
Tony Looker was eventually stopped by police who found $113,000 in cash and 44g of meth.
'I made her look like that:' Man who beat woman for a month boasts about her injuries
Ford Tutaki beat and tortured the woman for a month before help arrived.
Police pose as 13-year-old girl, lure sex offender to the library
He wanted to have sex with the fake girl even after she told him her age.
‘More than just a meal’: Woman fights for kai costs to be covered at husband’s tangi
Authority rules in her favour saying kai is an 'ordinary and integral' part of a tangi.
'Overly harsh punishment': Real estate agent loses court battle over Māori course requirement
Hobson's Choice lobby group calls court decision "outrageous".
Four plead not guilty to murder of Boy Taylor in Napier CBD
Name suppression lifts for three of four defendants accused over homeless man's death.
Man admits involvement in arson of a car which was later found with woman's body in it
Ariki Rigby’s body was found in a car parked near Havelock North in September 2022.
Christian counsellor told abused teen she had 'soul ties' to her rapist
Multiple criticisms made of faith-based residential facility with oppressive rules.
‘Highly preventable:’ Man killed on highway warned not to hitchhike two hours earlier
Christopher Connell's last words to police before he died were that he 'loved life'.
Name revealed of boy convicted of murder at age 14
The killer is currently in prison for fatally stabbing the victim during a night out.
Therapist told to apologise and get mentor after woman’s distressing massage
He touched the woman inappropriately and asked her personal questions.
Former airwoman abused by her boss fails in bid for compensation from RNZAF
Court sympathises with abuse victim, but says exemplary damages claim cannot be justified.
'High public interest': Coroner prioritises hearings on 18 flood, cyclone deaths
The inquiry is likely to examine warnings, weather forecasts, landslide and flood risks.
Two teens among four charged with Napier murder
Street dweller Boy Taylor was known in the Napier CBD as friendly and sometimes talkative.
501 deportee loophole: Sex offender rejoins NZ community with no oversight
The man spent 15 months in an Australian prison before starting a 'suspended sentence'.
'We dug up graves': Kiwi lawyer on the cases that will always stay with him
Satchie Govender: 'They were having a barbecue while she was digging her own grave'.
Bullied prisoner slashes another inmate's face with razor from eye to chin
Reihana Cooper tied makeshift weapons to his hands before the attack.
‘Driver error’ the cause of a car crash that killed three people
A couple from Hamilton and a man from Auckland died in the 2022 crash.
'You will regret it': Kidnapper's sinister words to woman who thought she would die
The woman was kidnapped, strangled, and robbed by her ex-partner.
Police seize $413k from baggage handler in meth import case
The syndicate's 'logistics organiser' stored large amounts of cash at his sister's house.
Killer may have been acting out TV show scene when he stomped victim to death
New evidence, including the anime show, has been shown to Supreme Court justices.
Young murderers: The cycle of violence and neglect revealed
Murderers shared common backgrounds of abuse and violence.
New Zealand’s only convicted saboteur released from prison but will still be monitored
Taupō man served full prison sentence of three years and one month.
Man with 11 children, 163 convictions loses bid for early jail release
David Bagley already had his sentence reduced for his treatment in state care as a child.
'Please stay': Stabbing victim foresaw 'frenzied' knife attack
She was stabbed repeatedly in the face, upper torso and abdomen by a man in her home.
Tug-of-love: Court rules on whether kids stay in NZ with dad or move to Spain with mum
The Court of Appeal has taken the siblings' wishes into account in making its decision.
Pilot died after propeller fell off home-built plane during flight
He had installed a new propeller two hours before the accident.
Child rapist wants court order lifted now that she's a woman
Parsons abducted and raped a 12-year-old before taking her clothes for cross-dressing.
High-stakes saga: Mother, son lose $2.2m, including a Maserati, in asset forfeiture
They were convicted under anti-money-laundering law for moving $53m for a businessman.
Man, 27, paid 13-year-old girl $100 for sex acts
He has been jailed again and will remain on the sex offender register for life.
Fateful call: Skipper told sandbar decision 'the one you regret the most'
Kevin McQuire pleaded guilty earlier this year over Clarks Beach boating tragedy.
Kiwi nurse's relationship with baby's dad was 'too soon' but not misconduct
The High Court has overturned the nurse's professional misconduct finding.
'An engaged parent': Why drug-dealing artist's prison sentence was overturned for home detention
Dali Susanto's ex wanted him to have a “full and active role” in his children’s lives.
'Crime pays all day': The life and times of a self-proclaimed 'real gangsta' and now convicted rapist
'I just want to get out of here and go back to prison,' he once yelled at the judge.
'Two horrendous days of hell:' Girl's bravery leads to 15 years for kidnapper and rapist
Police say the victim showed 'courage and tenacity' in coming forward.
Police seize Hastings homes, cars and $68k in Louis Vuitton handbag linked to meth ring
Police say encrypted messages found indicated the distribution of meth worth $1.54m.
Father raped and beat his children, then left his $700k in assets to another family
Now the siblings have turned to the country's final court of appeal for access.
'Ugly and racist': Man's abusive TikTok posts after Salvation Army shop assault
Judge: 'Colourful is a polite description. It’s not colourful. It’s abusive.'
From art galleries to prison: Artist’s fall from grace after drugs conviction
Susanto took police to where magic mushrooms grew wild.
Meth dealer loses $37,000 in 'tainted' cash after suspicious Airbnb owners called cops on him
Now police have now gained a High Court order to confiscate nearly $37,000.
Logging firm in receivership ordered to pay $330k for worker's death - but can't afford a fine
Jake William Duncan died on a Hawke's Bay forestry site in 2021.
Tourist who spent time in Navy drowned after sinking below Lake Wānaka's surface without warning
Jinwoo Park was a strong swimmer and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Three people are believed to have taken their own lives in wake of Cyclone Gabrielle
Coronial inquest: The deaths are among 18 linked to the Auckland floods and Gabrielle.
'Only chance of survival': Deportee wants $32k seized by police back for cancer treatment
NZ police seized Collin Ezeala's money in 2010 before he was jailed for importing drugs.
Young cannabis seller turns over $500,000 in sales in nine weeks
The 23-year-old appealed his sentence saying jail would hinder his ability to be a dad.
'Unacceptable': Man dies after hospital keeps him sitting in ED for hours, loses notes, fails to order scan
The doctor felt 'very overwhelmed' during an exceptionally busy night in ED.
Police move to seize land and cash related to alleged $2m Winz fraud
The men, who are linked to an Auckland furniture company, haven't been arrested.
Inmates claim prison gang assault was 'utu', sentences should be reduced under Māori lore
Seven Black Power members attacked a Nomad inmate after 'an unwanted sexual advance'.
Man accused of murdering Hawke's Bay teenager Ariki Rigby loses suppression
Jimmy Heremaia is being held at his own request in the segregation unit of a prison.
'Pervasive deficits': Oranga Tamariki's practice under the microscope in baby's death
Oranga Tamariki staff incorrectly handled concerns reported to them, a coroner found.
Terrified woman jumped naked from upper-storey window to escape brutal attack
Part of the ordeal, carried out by other women, was filmed and posted on social media.
R&V tragedy: Uni student's 2020 death 'tragic illustration’ of drug use dangers
Fletcher Wong was anxious and paranoid but his self-inflicted death wasn't intentional.
'He has lost his profession': Former doctor faces reality of anti-vaccine stance
Judge: Eye surgeon could have stopped practising but chose to try to bend the rules.
Fatal distraction: The Snapchatting truckie's countdown to tragedy
Caleb Baker was killed after distracted truck driver Sarah Schmidt ploughed into him.
Driver sent 45 Snapchat messages before fatally ploughing into young man's ute
'She should have seen the traffic ... what she did see for 14 seconds is her phone.'
Mobster's tomahawk attack left bone fragments in man's elbow
The gang member has now failed in an appeal against his jail sentence.
Overseas holidays, sunglasses, botox, cake: How a drug-dealer's wife laundered the cash
Court rejects appeal: "Ample evidence" Paula Toleafoa knew about husband's drug dealing.
Deportee behind 17-hour sex attack will clock up at least 20 years in prison
The high-risk offender didn't even bother attending his latest Parole Board hearing.
'No remorse': Burglar breaks into neighbour’s unit, sells everything in it
Stolen items included a watch which was the woman's only memento of her late father.
'An ethical dilemma': 30-year medical career ended by Covid vaccine stance
Doctor tried to keep practising under Māori customary law.
Year-long wait for trial in Ariki Rigby murder case
Justice Karen Grau acknowledged emotions were 'very raw' for victim's family.
$157k fraud spree: Forged IDs, bogus cards, and $80k rental car that was never returned
He rented an $80k Toyota, never returned it, and stole via fake credit cards.
Caught on camera: 501 deportee stole presents from under Christmas tree
But he didn't realise the owners were watching on a camera and had called the police.
'Waste of a life': Heartbroken mum's warnings after son's preventable death
Speeding driver Raymond Tairua-Gray drowned after his unsafe car crashed into a creek.
Our daughter's future: Couple fight $1.7m property seizures linked to cannabis grow
Police found $153,000 in cash in couple's wardrobe. Now they've lost two homes.
Client 'used as a punching bag' - residential care service shut down
A manager said a carer 'should never have been employed' at the service, now closed.
Armed gang debt-collectors knocked on the wrong door
Dukie Montgomery was armed and on bail for a violent home invasion at the time.
Help came 30mins too late for mother and son following boating tragedy
Skipper Kevin McQuire survived and will be sentenced for manslaughter later this year.
Philip Polkinghorne trial: The jury is going out - what happens now?
What happens once the jury goes out after hearing eight weeks of evidence?
'I will always love you:' Inmate's final words to girlfriend before prison death
Dolphy Kohu was facing charges of attempted murder of two police officers.
Old photos and videos help convict 'sick and twisted' child rapist
Woman abused as little girl confronts abuser in court.
Nine properties worth $5.7m seized in black market tobacco case
Police and Customs earlier seized 408kg of tobacco and 11,000 cigarettes.
'They are entitled to closure': Developer's delays in paying migrant workers 'inexcusable'
Malcolm Herbert challenged the ERA's ruling but then made 'no attempt' to follow it up.
Duck-stomping prison inmate Eruera Peratiaki makes $1000 donation to the SPCA
Eruera Peratiaki threw apple at duck, chased it, kicked it and stomped on its head.
'Severe and chronic neglect:' Miniature horses were dehydrated and unable to walk properly
Two women who owned them are now banned from owning horses for five years.
Counsellor exploited clients, sent them photos of her boob job
One client felt she was paying $120 an hour to spend time with her friend.