Tara Shaskey is a news director and Open Justice reporter, based in Taranaki.
Tara Shaskey began her journalism career in 2014 as a motoring reporter for Stuff before taking on other rounds such as crime and justice, arts and entertainment, and Māori issues. In 2022, she joined NZME as part of the Open Justice project, a specialist team of multimedia journalists who cover a wide range of courts, tribunals, and legal issues across New Zealand. You can contact Tara at tara.shaskey@nzme.co.nz.
![Salesman who stole $360k fails home detention, sent to jail](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Salesman who stole $360k fails home detention, sent to jail
The farm equipment dealer applied to have his sentence reviewed. Now he's in jail.
!['I have a lot of hate towards them': A widow's life after murder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'I have a lot of hate towards them': A widow's life after murder
Jacob Ramsay was beaten, chained to a car and dragged to his death.
![Farm worker death: Jurors weep as young mother acquitted of murder, guilty of manslaughter](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Farm worker death: Jurors weep as young mother acquitted of murder, guilty of manslaughter
Jacob Ramsay was beaten, chained to a car and towed along a tanker track.
!['You fellas are mad': Farm boss turns up to tanker track attack, hears worker was dumped in pit](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'You fellas are mad': Farm boss turns up to tanker track attack, hears worker was dumped in pit
The victim was beaten, chained to a car and dragged along a tanker track.
![‘Manipulative’ farm equipment dealer rips off 25 customers to tune of $360k](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
‘Manipulative’ farm equipment dealer rips off 25 customers to tune of $360k
The offending spanned two years and continued even after he was arrested for the crimes.
!['Kill him': Witness claims hearing female order the death of farm worker who was beaten, dragged](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Kill him': Witness claims hearing female order the death of farm worker who was beaten, dragged
People were yelling, there was a repetitive 'thud' and two days later a body was found.
!['Nearby smiling': Young mum accused in murder of man who was beaten, chained and dragged](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Nearby smiling': Young mum accused in murder of man who was beaten, chained and dragged
She allegedly smiled as the assault unfolded and stopped a person from intervening.
!['Who watches the watchers?': Forestry company's failures revealed after worker's death](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Who watches the watchers?': Forestry company's failures revealed after worker's death
A probe into the death revealed the company's oversights, for which it has been fined.
![Beaten, chained and dragged by a car: Farmers jailed for 'savage' murder of colleague](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Beaten, chained and dragged by a car: Farmers jailed for 'savage' murder of colleague
The men beat the father-of-three, chained him to a car, and dragged him 1km across gravel.
![Beaten, chained, dragged behind a car: Farmworker's horrific murder revealed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Beaten, chained, dragged behind a car: Farmworker's horrific murder revealed
The body of Jacob Ramsay, a 33-year-old father, was dumped in a rubbish pit.
![Worker suffers brain injury after being hit by vehicle at site without traffic plan](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Worker suffers brain injury after being hit by vehicle at site without traffic plan
The companies responsible have now been ordered to pay more than $320,000.
!['Horrific tragedy': Widow gives birth after husband's alleged murder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Horrific tragedy': Widow gives birth after husband's alleged murder
The newborn baby boy is the spitting image of his father, who he will never meet.
![Jealous man ploughs car into quad bike being driven by his ex and her male friend](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Jealous man ploughs car into quad bike being driven by his ex and her male friend
The male was thrown from the bike and suffered a devastating head injury.
![Bungling burglar crashes into farm fence, makes off only with vehicle's key](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Bungling burglar crashes into farm fence, makes off only with vehicle's key
The late-night farm prowler tried to steal a quad bike.
![Trio accused of murdering Taranaki farmworker revealed, victim's neighbours](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Trio accused of murdering Taranaki farmworker revealed, victim's neighbours
The alleged victim was a father of two with a third child due in a matter of weeks.
![Woman accused of murdering coastal Taranaki father](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Woman accused of murdering coastal Taranaki father
Jacob Mills Ramsay, 33, was expecting his third child at the time of his death.
![Pregnant widow left 'heartbroken': Alleged murder victim had son due in six weeks](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Pregnant widow left 'heartbroken': Alleged murder victim had son due in six weeks
The alleged victim has also left behind two older sons.
![Boy-racer aftermath: Man 'feared for life' as irate farmer pointed gun at him](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Boy-racer aftermath: Man 'feared for life' as irate farmer pointed gun at him
The farmer was angry about boy racer activity. But the victim had nothing to do with.
!['Extreme frustration': Farmer pulls gun on boy racers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
'Extreme frustration': Farmer pulls gun on boy racers
Tired of the hundreds of boy racers meeting near his land, a farmer armed himself.
![Farmer caught diverting stream, again, faces hefty penalties](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Farmer caught diverting stream, again, faces hefty penalties
A farmer previously fined $60,000 for moving a stream on his property was back in court.