Shannon Pitman is an Open Justice court reporter based in Whangārei covering the Northland Courts.
With a keen interest in unravelling the intricacies of legal proceedings, Shannon is committed to ensuring transparency and accessibility in the justice system. Shannon holds whakapapa to Ngāpuhi, Ngātiwai, and Ngāti Pūkenga, grounding her work in a deep understanding of the local community and its values. This connection to her roots fosters a sense of responsibility in her reporting, ensuring that stories are told with cultural sensitivity and respect. Her focus on crime and justice reporting stems from a genuine belief in the importance of holding institutions accountable and giving a voice to those affected by legal processes. Through her work, Shannon strives to bridge the gap between the legal system and the public, demystifying complex legal proceedings and fostering a greater understanding of the issues at hand. As an Open Justice court reporter, her commitment to excellence in reporting, coupled with her cultural awareness and digital media expertise, sets her apart as a valuable contributor to the field of crime and justice journalism in Te Tai Tokerau. You can contact Shannon at shannon.pitman@nzme.co.nz.
'Medication wasn't working': Mum fears anti-depressant contributed to 14yo's death
Summer Mills-Metcalf took her own life in 2018 while taking fluoxetine.
'This is a woman who lies:' Fake landlord scams desperate family before Christmas
Judge: 'How can you take that money and deceive people who are so desperate?'
Youth suicide inquest: Teen’s cryptic message to his mum
'Losing my son has broken me, I died with him,' says a Northland teen's mum.
Cold blooded murder: The chilling discovery of a body and the plan to cover it up
Three friends claimed it was an accident, but a jury found otherwise.
'He was made to feel like a nobody': Troubled life of 12-year-old who took his own life
Boy's death is one of six suspected youth suicides the coroner is examining in Whangārei.
'The end result is out of all magnitude': Driver's carelessness claims motorcyclist's life
Christopher Haverkort, 65, was out riding with his brother when he was hit and killed.
'Should have known': 14yo dies in suspected suicide after Oranga Tamariki closes her file
Maaia Marshall was assessed three times as being a suicide risk before her death.
Teen who OD'd was sent home, parents told to 'keep an eye on her' as crisis team unavailable
Ataria Heta later died of a suspected suicide. Her family want more help for teens.
'I panicked ... I knew couldn't help him': Was man's death an accident or murder?
Bob Kleiman's body was found the day after he was shot in the head.
Northland youth deaths inquest: Teen called two helplines before suspected suicide
Mum: 'Summer should still be here, I don’t want this to happen to other families.'
Inquest into spate of suspected youth suicides in Northland
Hamuera Ellis-Erihe is one of six young people aged 12-16 who took their own lives.
'You preyed on them': Man jailed for 20 years for raping girls in his care
Victim: 'Every man I looked at was a monster, every boy was a demon'.
Man unable to escape ex's violent rampage as he was on EM bail and couldn't leave the house
Judge queries how victim ended up being bailed to her home in the first place.
'Tragic events': Man at risk of self harm taken home by social workers, then took his own life
Social workers overlooked critical information after getting limited handover from police.
'I looked back and he was gone': Harrowing moments of school caving tragedy revealed
'This is hard stuff for any person to hear,' Judge Greg Davis on the events at Abbey Caves
Killer convicted of murder in emotional Whangārei court case
The jury also found Hall guilty of two other charges related to two other victims.
Fate of man who claims fatal stabbing was in self-defence rests with jury
CCTV blind spot crucial in Whangārei trial; jury to decide between self-defence or murder.
Defence probes heart disease's role in death of alleged murder victim
A pathologist confirmed Jason McNae's heart disease sped up his death.
'Stolen our legacy': Teen killed by drunk driver doing 165km/h
Mafi's family devastated: "He was taken from us, our son was robbed."
'You've got two options': Did letter demanding $1500 cross the line into blackmail?
Suzanne Petitt's lawyer says it was just a request for compo for a stolen car.
Council CEO resigns amid claims of a toxic environment; ERA finds both sides at fault
Far North Council CEO Blair King said he felt 'isolated' and lodged a PG in 2022.
'Convict me': Cannabis advocate asks for jail time
Brian Borland told a jury they should find him guilty...so they did.
‘I’ll stab you up:' Murder accused allegedly threatened flatmate a week earlier
Lance Hall allegedly stabbed father-of-two Jason McNae in the neck with some scissors.
'Do you want to die today?': CCTV shows moment of fatal Whangārei stabbing
Jason McNae died in the hospital. The defence claims it was self-defence.
Tragedy at Abbey Caves: 'We haven't been able to find your son'
Court hears from grief-stricken parents as school board are sentenced for student's death.
Children's abuse claims fail to convince jury in foster care case
It was alleged the kids were slapped, spat at, hit with a pipe and one was run over.
'I still hate you:' Dad jailed for subjecting sons to years of sadistic abuse
Judge Bayley: 'No one is able to erase the ongoing harm you have caused your sons.'
'Two by Twos': Elderly NZ man admits abusing children after FBI probe into cult
William Easton was one of 140 perpetrators identified in the international investigation.
Oranga Tamariki flagged mother twice before serious abuse allegations
Daughter reports mother: The trial reveals years of alleged violence against children.
'I wish I’d never gone to work': Man's remorse after killing mate in workplace accident
Fulton Hogan worker Tane Maihi drove a roller machine into his mate.
'Who do you believe?' Defence claims children colluded against Oranga Tamariki caregivers
Four children say they were hit, spat on, slapped and one was even allegedly run over.
'We've been here a long time': Patuharakeke gives evidence for Bream Bay customary title
The second phase will hear from applicants interests in the Whangārei coastline.
Men who allegedly kidnapped a person who escaped during a police checkpoint named
The men were caught after being pulled over for a routine breath test.
'It ruined my childhood': Paedophile gets two more years in jail as more abuse revealed
Clyde Rymer's abuse had been haunting the latest victim for 50 years.
Anti-mandate campaigner in prison hunger strike
Brad Flutey's court proceedings continue to stall after numerous delays.
Judge rules against Lena Duncan in ongoing animal welfare case
Lena Duncan claims that search warrants were illegal and the SPCA violated her rights.
'He ran me over': Three caregivers on trial for alleged abuse of foster children
Three foster parents are on trial facing dozens of charges of ill-treatment and neglect.
'Deadlocked': Trial of police officer accused of assault ends with a hung jury
Taylor Morgan was accused of striking a man he arrested with his fist and a weapon.
Son's harrowing call to mum after logging accident: 'I think dad’s dead'
The logging firm was ordered to pay $70,000 for failing to maintain equipment.
Name suppression lifted: man pleads not guilty to Northland murder
The man appeared via audio-visual link from a prison.
Stunned suspect: 'Why did that police officer hit me?'
Whangārei officer testifies against colleague accused of assaulting man during an arrest.
Crown alleges officer struck man in head twice during arrest
The tactical unit officer allegedly struck the man twice, once with a weapon.
Steering toward change: Whangārei launches first young adult drivers court
The court is a first for New Zealand and will assist people to obtain their licence.
How an $8m meth empire was busted as final four sentences handed down
Operation Freya netted about 17kg of meth in the large-scale Northland bust.
'When he was in a bad mood, the family suffered:' Dad allegedly hit kids regularly
The man allegedly smashed one child's head into a wall so many times, it broke.
Baby with broken bones and a brain bleed didn't get medical help for two weeks
His father has now been jailed for failing to seek medical care for the then 7-week-old.
'Paedophile at heart': 58yo's self-description after being caught abusing child
Victim's mother told Anthony Smith 'you destroyed my girl, you’re disgusting'.
'We trusted you:' Woman stole from Rebel Sport and friend who gave her a job
Skye Renes got rid of some stolen items after being tipped off by police connections.
Teacher at prestigious NZ school banned after asking student for sex in 1980s
Scots College: It took 'a tremendous amount of courage' for a former student to speak up.
'An older brother should look after a younger sister, not make her a sexual plaything'
The man started abusing his sibling when he was in his early teens.
Employee ordered to pay back $18k in compo as troubled luxury resort gets win in court
One Carrington employee has been ordered to repay the compensation she was awarded.
'This is a stick-up:' Hammer brandished in dairy robbery during man's two-day crime spree
Tequila Pomepi had only recently come out of jail when he stole a car and headed north.
'Captured by their own hand': Lawyer claims unlawful arrest is caught on camera
The man would not give his details when police asked, triggering a chain of events.
Tears as Enchanter skipper found not guilty of tragedy that killed five
'No one can control and influence the sea. It is unpredictable.'
'Find me guilty': Cannabis advocate gives jury an easy task
Brian Borland also told the judge 'it's jail or nothing' on growing and trading charges.
Jail for two offenders who continue to flout court orders
The men were hoping for one last chance to adjourn their sentencings but failed.
‘This is unusual': Parent flip-flops on drowsy daughter’s condition in attempted murder trial
The parent came home to find their partner overdosed on drugs and slumped over in a chair.
Whangārei woman on vigilante mission likened to Mike Tyson for ear-biting assault
The woman launched a vicious attack on a man after hearing allegations about him.
Brain injury battle: Court overturns ACC decision cutting payments
Despite numerous practitioners advising he was unfit for work, ACC disagreed.
Suspicious girlfriend unearths man's 20 years of sexual offending
The woman went through his phone and discovered explicit images and recordings.
'Who’s he remorseful to? Himself?': Boss didn't pay staff Kiwisaver, super, loan deducations
William Eskdale admitted 28 charges totalling more than $150K of unpaid taxes.
Controversial subdivision signed off - but homeowners won't be allowed cats or dogs
119 homes will be built on a sprawling piece of land within a kiwi habitat.
Notorious meth dealer: 'I wanted to be a dealer with a heart'
Serenity Grace Tebbutt was visibly shocked as she was jailed for supply drugs.
Skipper fined $131k for Russell ferry crash that paralysed captain
'The message for other skippers is, it is your responsibility to stay alert.'
'You are going to jail': Only one outcome for violent teen in jewellery store robbery
He herded employees into the back of the store and attacked one with a crowbar.
'Moment of stupidity': Honoured citizen pulled rifle on boy racers
But now he has been discharged without conviction for his actions.
Employment dispute at Northland Fire HQ involves Kaipara's deputy mayor
Jonathan Larsen refused to take other offers from the station unless they were permanent.
'Unwilling to comply': $15,000 added to luxury resort's mounting debt
Carrington Resort paid court-ordered $14,000 only when a bailiff showed up.
Woman dies from stage four cancer after DHB's systemic failures
The post-menopausal woman had been bleeding on and off for five years.
'It was like herding cats': Dad accused of abuse describes challenges of raising five boys
The father allegedly threatened to execute his sons after the Aramoana massacre.
'When are you going to grow up?' Judge blasts dad who punched man at kids' rugby
Lindon Matthews claims he was offended at the way another dad looked at him.
'Say goodbye to each other': Dad allegedly threatened sons after Aramoana massacre
The man is facing 38 historical charges of abuse on his children.
'You can't tame the ocean': Lawyers close their case for Enchanter tragedy
Judge Philip Rzepecky will decide whether the skipper risked his customers' lives.
'I can still hear the alarms going off': Workers' terrifying ordeal in Michael Hill robbery
A remorseful 19-year-old is now behind bars for his role in the aggravated robbery.
Man's 20-year battle: Council still liable to pay millions after losing resource consent
The Court of Appeal has ruled and the council must still pay.
Former lawyer jailed for sharing child sex abuse images
His offending was discovered after Customs received a tip from a US agency.
'The most indiscreet name imaginable': Man imports $5.5m of meth as 'Quade Cooper'
He created fake IDs using aliases', including one of the Australian rugby star.
Expert believes Enchanter boat should have stayed put amid 'gnarly and confused' weather
The Enchanter skipper continues to stand trial following the deaths of five men.
'Now I drown': Enchanter skipper on being trapped under upturned boat
Goodhew survived by finding a pocket of air and thought 'I'm going to die'.
'Rough as s***': Evidence given about weather on day of Enchanter tragedy, discrepancies arise
'It was horrendous, I wouldn’t put my workers through that': cray boat skipper.