Latest news with #AMomentInCrime
NZ Herald
20-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Security for midwives bolstered at Christchurch Hospital after ‘very violent' night-time assault
'Additional security measures have been put in place after a serious assault last weekend, involving a person based in Kurawaka: Waipapa,' said the email from the Christchurch Hospital security team. 'Our security team has, as a temporary response, bolstered security in the area around this part of the hospital. 'Security escorts will temporarily be provided for Kurawaka: Waipapa staff, student nurses or midwives during the hours of darkness. This will be a priority over the coming days to provide an extra layer of security. 'Allied Security mobile patrols will focus their patrolling at the change of shifts in the central area of the hospital and Kurawaka: Waipapa.' The security team assured staff that the health and safety of Te Whatu Ora employees and others who work on the hospital campus was its top priority. The incident was described as a timely reminder about how everyone can help look after themselves and others. 'Ensuring your personal safety when leaving or arriving at the hospital involves a mix of situational awareness, planning and taking precautions,' the security team said. 'Whether within one of our campuses or travelling to and from work, please be always conscious of your security and take appropriate actions to protect yourself and your property. 'Taking these precautions can help minimise risks and ensure your personal safety.' Staff with concerns were encouraged to speak to their managers. 'Other staff may have also experienced similar incidents so it's important these are raised,' the email said. 'You should also take the time to report even what you may think is a minor incident.' Until 2023, the only primary birthing unit in Christchurch was located at St George's Hospital. That unit closed – despite protest and petitions from thousands of people – when St George's maternity contract with Te Whatu Ora ended. Kurawaka: Waipapa opened in April 2024. The unit was designed to provide a more home-like and calming environment for low-risk births, with about 2000 babies expected to be delivered each year. The unit is also expected to reduce pressure on the nearby Christchurch Women's Hospital Maternity Unit. Before Kurawaka: Waipapa opened, people expecting babies in Christchurch had to travel to Rangiora, Rolleston or Ashburton to access a primary birthing unit. Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- NZ Herald
The controversial case of Peter Ellis, Christchurch childcare worker - A Moment in Crime
One child said his belly button was removed with pliers. Later, there were allegations of 'Asian men dressed as cowboys' abuse at Masonic lodges, cemeteries, the Park Royal Hotel and private houses that were all a significant distance from the creche. And then there was the circle incident – perhaps the most discussed and most controversial allegation of the Ellis case. It was claimed that a group of children were taken to an address on the other side of Christchurch and forced to stand naked in a circle while adults danced around them. The adults encouraged the children to kick each other in the genitals. Ellis denied all of the charges but in 1993, after a six-week trial, a jury found him guilty on 16 counts of child sexual abuse involving seven children at the creche. He seven years in prison before being released in 2000. Ellis maintained his innocence throughout and battled through numerous unsuccessful appeals and applications for pardons. In 2019, the Supreme Court agreed to hear his final appeal, based on the fairness of his trial. Ellis passed away from bladder cancer several months later. In 2022 – for the first time in New Zealand history – the Supreme Court allowed the appeal to proceed posthumously. A panel of senior judges unanimously found that Ellis had suffered a substantial miscarriage of justice due to inadmissible expert evidence and the risk of contamination in the children's testimonies. They ruled that during the trial the evidence from the Crown's expert witness lacked balance. Further, the jury was not adequately informed about the risk of contamination in the memories of young children. The case of Peter Ellis is one of the most controversial court cases and arguably one of the most outrageous miscarriages of justice in our country's legal history. Advertise with NZME. In today's episode of A Moment In Crime, host and senior journalist Anna Leask discusses the story of Peter Ellis – who he was, how he came to be at the centre of a national sex abuse scandal and why he was finally exonerated. Episodes of A Moment In Crime are usually released monthly and, so far, Leask has covered more than 60 cases, including the murders of Grace Millane, Scott Guy, Austin Hemmings, Carmen Thomas, Karen Aim; the deaths of the Kahui twins; the Christchurch mosque attack and the historic Heavenly Creatures murder; the case of Lauren Dickason who was jailed for murdering her three young daughters soon after emigrating to New Zealand; and the massacres at Raurimu and Aramoana. In 2023, the podcast published a three-part special covering the case of rich-lister and philanthropist James Wallace, who was convicted of sexually assaulting three men. He was jailed and had his knighthood stripped from him. And to mark the 30th anniversary of the Bain family murders, Leask produced a two-part special reflecting on the atrocious loss of life and legal saga that followed. Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 50 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards. Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for just under 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- NZ Herald
Hitchhiking tragedy: British Lord of the Rings fan killed in crash on dream trip to NZ
That is what drew her son to New Zealand. 'He wanted to visit the film sets, which was thrilling for him and for us to hear,' she told the Mirror. 'He stayed with his friend, we were just constantly getting photos from him and stories about people he was meeting. 'He loved being with people but also loved being on his own; going for a long hike, pitching his tent and being on his own with nature.' The BBC and Mirror reported the details of the Snode's inquest, held in the Essex Coroner's Court. Coroner Michelle Brown said that on the day he died Snode was offered a lift by 'a lady and her teenage children'. The crash happened on the Otira Highway near the tiny settlement of Jacksons. 'The car drifted to the left side of the road before overcorrecting, rotating and sliding across both lanes,' the Coroner said. 'The rear left of the car hit a stone wall. Mr Snode, who was in the left rear passenger seat, died at the scene.' The Mirror reported that the driver was later convicted of careless use of a vehicle causing death. Coroner Brown told the court it was 'unknown' why the woman crashed. She ruled Snode died from multiple head and chest injuries in a road traffic collision. Elaine Snode wrote on a page set up to raise funds to repatriate his body. 'He was literally living his dream life before it was taken from him,' she said. She said Snode was 'one in a billion'. 'Always full of life and a loving, caring, intelligent young man,' she wrote. 'He visited Hobbiton and other LOTR sites and had a few days hiking on his own along the Abel Tasman Coast Track. 'We had no idea these magical days were to be his final days in NZ. 'Nothing can express the pain and despair that is being felt by his family and friends all over the world.' Anna Leask is a senior reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on
