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.
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.
Kiwi burglar made 51 drug deals by text while at home on monitoring bracelet
Tony Dean Adams also had used meth pipe hidden in his underwear.
Canterbury farm workers turn out to be Colombia-linked cocaine smugglers
Criminal group imported, or tried to import, $100m of drugs.
Finders keepers: Couple fight to retain $232k of suspected drug money found in roof space
Police say the money is probably 'tainted' and should be handed to the Crown.
Boy, 9, comes to father's aid in violent Mongrel Mob 'hit'
'This is a hit and it's come from the captain,' victim told before he was attacked.
Developer, contractor fined $131k for cutting down tornado damaged pine
Now Zulfikar Ali and a contractor are paying the price ... and it's not cheap.
'Vile and violent': Widow with a grudge makes 24 threats to kill
Olesya Yugova believed her late husband’s lawyer somehow contributed to his death.
Dad wanting to leave gang told it would cost him $20k - or his ute
The man was then assaulted before locking himself, his pregnant wife and kids in a room.
Undercover cop spends $60,000 in meth deals over six weeks
The King Cobra gang member offered or exchanged 182g of the drug to the officer.
'Overwhelming rage': Whāngai dad of murdered woman leapt dock and bashed her killer
Mokaraka lit a cigarette while sitting in the jury box after the attack.
Police bust exposes tale of loan sharks, guns, drugs - and $1 million cash
Po-Chen Chien turned to drug dealing to repay loan sharks who were funding his gambling.
Police officer's kick to armed burglar's head deemed justified
The burglar had held the police dog's jaws shut with both hands.
Judge to career burglar: 'Stop making promises and actually do something'
Pre-sentence report said Reijhan Green was a 'high-risk' offender with a violent history.
Prolific shoplifter: 'It gives me a kick ... It's like a job'
Travis Archer had only been out of jail for eight days when he hit the stores again.
Prominent artist with 'whimsical' energy was dealing in LSD and other drugs
Dali Susanton even took police to a place where magic mushrooms grow.
Passionate primary teacher struck off after 'wilfully blind' $431k tax fraud
Uputaua Muaiava served home detention after being convicted on 65 charges.
Teen driver in double fatal crash was 'very sensible and experienced' for his age
Joshua van Hooijdonk and Maja Sanders died in a crash on SH5, near Te Pōhue, in 2020.
Security guard used 'excessive force' in restraining Eden Park pitch invader during rugby match
The guard said he was under severe stress and it was a “high-pressure environment".
Missionary who joined gang terrorised motorist on way to fatal fight
Viliami Tonga's life spiralled out of control after his mother died.
The trail of clues that led police to $400k meth stash in wardrobe
Damien Porter was on parole for earlier drug-dealing when 1kg of meth was found in motel.
Bullied 14-year-old was urged to kill himself - but an innocent woman died instead
“Your offending was triggered by bullying" the judge said he was jailed for manslaughter.
Crown nets cannabis dealer, and now it's after her house
Police looked for 'buried money' but it meant the cash had been spent on renovations.
'Multiple failures': Midwife censured over note-taking errors during stillborn births
The midwife has now been censured for multiple failures in her care of several women.
Why are 1000s of people lying in unmarked graves after dying in State care?
Nearly 40 women died in a fire at Seacliff Hospital. None had a service or marked grave.
Violent man wants to serve home detention with his mum - who moved cities to escape him
Troy Brophy's history includes dishonesty, traffic offending and family violence.
‘National disgrace’: NZ’s landmark Abuse in Care inquiry finds 200,000 harmed
The 3000-page report calls for apologies, redress and police investigations.
Drug importer's house seizure linked to Bitcoin, the dark web and $268k of US meth
The owner only had $25,000 left to pay on his mortgage.
Former lauded Corrections staffer jailed for pressuring boyfriend's rape victim
Former Muldoon secretary and probation officer became involved with 'serious criminal'.
Man who scaled courtroom barrier to attack relative's murderer admits guilt
Arohaina Henare was stabbed to death by Moses Mohi Taua in 2022.
Drink-driver tries to escape charge due to officer’s ‘mere presence’ while considering blood test
He claimed his 10 min to consider a blood test was interrupted by the officer next to him.
Police 'failure' as arson accused kept in jail for 286 days after another suspect identified
Edmond Apanui will receive compensation for 'significant procedural failure' by police.
Hefty costs order leaves sour taste in mouth of anti-fluoridation group
Court case was in the public interest - campaigners says costs ruling 'really unfair'.
David Tamihere intending Supreme Court bid as murder convictions upheld: 'I’ll keep at it'
'You've got to grab them by the short and curlies,' a defiant Tamihere says.
'Tell us where to find Heidi': Police challenge David Tamihere as murder convictions upheld
Court of Appeal finds a miscarriage of justice but won't quash his murder conviction.
'Justice for a young victim:' Guilty verdicts in ram raid, kidnap and rape case
Police: 'She’s shown a tremendous amount of courage to come forward and make a complaint.'
Man accused of ram-raid, teen rape and kidnap claims it's all 'lies'
Crown: 'Does it make any sense that she should make up false allegations about him?'
Unregistered anti-vax doctor kept practising under 'Māori customary law'
A pharmacy contacted the Medical Council after receiving prescriptions from the doctor.
Man charged with ram-raid and rape calls victim's relative a 'compulsive liar'
The man says he's got an alibi: 'It would be impossible for me to commit these offences'.
'Remorseful' murderer argues that a life prison sentence is unjust
Wheeler stabbed Richard Wallace to death over drug debt of less than $100.
Family cannabis business: Daughter was boss, mum did deliveries, dad kept the accounts
'Blood is thicker than common sense,' says defence lawyer.
Pyramid scheme promoter Shelly Cullen cops a record $5.9m in fines and penalties
Shelly Cullen has now been hit with a record $5.9m in fines and penalties.
'48-hour nightmare': Teen allegedly kidnapped, raped after $20k ATM heist
Now a father and son are on trial together in the High Court at Napier.
Police eavesdrop on private communications to bust meth ring
Bishop associated with Brydon Boyce, who had meth in his system at time of fatal crash.
Woman's crucial role as mule for a jailhouse drug ring
When Freedom Walker visited her partner in jail, she took meth and cannabis with her.
Gambled away: Trusted manager's $500,000 fraud leaves workmates traumatised
Katie Watson stole items from her employer, then sold them online to feed her addiction.