Crimes NZ

RNZ

Jesse Mulligan talks with investigators, journalists and others about major crimes in New Zealand

  • 46 minutes 1 second
    Black Sheep Bonus: the story of Robert Wallath

    From Black Sheep: In 1892 a masked figure in a bizarre uniform began a 15 month crime spree, robbing people at gunpoint in and around New Plymouth. When he was finally arrested and unmasked, residents were dumbfounded to discovered the perpetrator was mild-mannered Robert Wallath - the teenage son of a local farmer and carpenter.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    2 September 2024, 11:11 am
  • 25 minutes 48 seconds
    Case #054 - The Mysterious Suitcase & The Fraudster

    A suitcase was found floating in the Waitematā Harbour in 1966. Its contents kicked off an international manhunt and one of Aotearoa's biggest fraudsters. Joseph Sheehan BEM was a detective on the case.

    In 1966, the captain of the Salvation Army barge was heading up the Waitematā Harbour when he spotted a mysterious suitcase floating in the water.

    He fished it out and discovered documents from the cosmetics company Leidrum and Hartnell.

    A company which turned out to be a sham. The man behind it, Robert Gardner, had already left the country. Sending Joseph Sheehan, a detective sergeant at the time, on an international man.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    5 July 2023, 5:00 pm
  • 18 minutes 47 seconds
    Case #053 - Crooked Cop Michael Blowers

    Michael Blowers was a police officer, family man and pillar of the community. He was also stealing drugs from the police exhibit room and giving them to his mistress to sell. RNZ's Charlie Dreaver describes Blowers downfall.

    In 2014, former police detective Michael Blowers was sent to prison for five years on a raft of drug-related offences.

    For years he had been stealing drugs from the Whangarei police exhibits room and giving them to his mistress to sell.

    RNZ reporter Charlie Dreaver was in the courtroom for his trial and describes how his downfall shocked the Northland community.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    28 June 2023, 5:00 pm
  • 18 minutes 32 seconds
    Case #052 - The Unsolved Murder of Arthur Blomfield

    True crime writer Scott Bainbridge takes us through the unsolved murder of pharmacist Arthur Blomfield, who was bludgeoned to death in his Auckland store, Mackay's Dispensary, in 1931.

    In 1931, just before closing time, pharmacist Arthur Blomfield was bludgeoned to death at the back of Mackay's dispensary on Wellesley Street in central Auckland.

    His killer has never been found.

    True crime author Scott Bainbridge talks us through the details of this case and shares who the prime suspect might be.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    21 June 2023, 5:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 58 seconds
    Case #051 - The Trial of Alan Hall

    Alan Hall spent nearly two decades in jail for the 1985 murder of Arthur Easton. In 2022 his convictions were quashed. Stuff journalist Mike White explains the flaws in the case against Hall and Geoff Hall talks about his brother's life after prison.

    In 1985, Arthur Easton was murdered by a bayonet wielding intruder, in his Papakura home.

    His two sons were also injured trying to fight off the attacker.

    In 1986, Alan Hall was convicted of the crime and spent 19 years in jail. But he has always protested his innocence and 37 years after Easton's death, Hall's convictions were quashed.

    Stuff senior investigative reporter Mike White and Alan's brother Geoff share details of the case and Hall's fight for justice.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    14 June 2023, 5:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 22 seconds
    Case #050 - Conman Wayne Eaglesome

    Stuff's senior crime reporter tells Jesse Mulligan about his ongoing hunt for one of Aotearoa's most prolific conmen.

    For two decades Wayne Eaglesome has committed hundreds of crimes across the country.

    He has used 40 different aliases and has been convicted of 250 offences, for both fraud and sexual crimes.

    Stuff senior crime reporter Sam Sherwood came across Eaglesome several years ago and has followed his nefarious career both in Aotearoa and now, across the world.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    7 June 2023, 5:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 23 seconds
    Case #049 - The Trial of Pedro Cleven

    In this episode we hear about one of our country's most sensational trials - that of headhunters gang member Pedro Cleven.

    Through the late 90s and into the early 2000s police ran operation Mexico in a strike a blow at the Headhunters gang.

    They nabbed Peter 'Pedro' Cleven on cannabis and methamphetamine charges and what followed as a trial like no other.

    Patrick Gower talks to Jesse Mulligan about covering the sensational trial of headhunters gang member Pedro Cleven.

    Journalist Patrick Gower was just a cadet reporter for the New Zealand Herald back then and recalls sitting through the unforgettable court case.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    31 May 2023, 5:00 pm
  • 24 minutes
    Case #048 - The Abandonment of Pumpkin

    It was a case that shocked the world. A 3-year-old abandoned in an Australian train station, her mother murdered in New Zealand and her father on the run in America.

    In September 2007 a three-year-old girl was found abandoned at Melbourne's Southern Cross railway station.

    Initially authorities were unable to verify her identity, so they gave her the nickname "Pumpkin" after the Pumpkin Patch branded clothing she was wearing.

    But "Pumpkin" was actually Qian Xun Xue and her father Nai Yin Xue abandoned her after killing her mother back in New Zealand.

    Simon Scott was the Detective Senior Sergeant in charge of the investigation that crossed three international borders.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    4 January 2023, 4:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 11 seconds
    Case #047 - Sophie Elliott

    In January 2008, Gil Elliott received the worst news possible. His 22-year-old daughter Sophie had been stabbed to death. He talks to Jesse Mulligan about those moments, the horror that followed and his fight for change.

    In 2008, Sophie Elliot was stabbed to death by her former partner, Clayton Weatherston.

    Since her death, her family have been tirelessly campaigning for changes to prevent another case like hers.

    Gil Elliott talks to Jesse about the dreadful events of January 2008 and the fight for victims rights and changes to policies to stop academic staff having relationships with students.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    27 December 2022, 4:00 pm
  • 27 minutes 19 seconds
    Case #046 - The Unsolved Murder of Elsie Walker

    The 1928 murder of Elsie Walker is one of New Zealand's oldest cold cases. She disappeared from the Bay of Plenty and her body was discovered by schoolboys, days later, in Auckland.

    Elsie Walker went missing from the Bay of Plenty and was found dead in Auckland days later.

    She was discovered by some young boys and was still wearing her maid's uniform.

    Crime author, Scott Bainbridge wrote about this mysterious case in his book Shot in the Dark. He talks to Charlotte Ryan about the details of Elsie's life and death.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    21 December 2022, 4:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 25 seconds
    Case #045 - Taito Phillip Field

    In 2009, Taito Phillip Field was convicted of bribery and corruption and sentenced to six years in prison. Lockwood Smith was an opposition MP and recalls keeping the pressure on in parliament, to ensure Field was held to account.

    Taito Phillip Field was a minister in the Labour government when he was accused of using his position for personal gain.

    The Right Honourable Sir Lockwood Smith was Opposition spokesperson on Immigration when the allegations first came to light and maintained continued pressure on the Minister during parliament question time.

    Taito Phillip Field eventually went to prison following a police investigation, becoming the first member of parliament to be convicted of bribery and corruption in New Zealand.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    14 December 2022, 4:00 pm
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