Latest news with #PhilipPolkinghorne
RNZ News
22-07-2025
- RNZ News
Australian escort Madison Ashton wants to give evidence at inquest into death of Pauline Hanna
Sex worker Madison Ashton had a relationship with Pauline Hanna's husband, Philip Polkinghorne. Photo: supplied Australian sex worker Madison Ashton, has asked to give evidence at the inquest into the death of Auckland health manager Pauline Hanna . Hanna, who managed the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine as an executive director at Counties Manukau Health, died in her Remuera home on 5 April, 2021. Her husband, former Auckland eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne, was found not guilty of murdering her after an eight-week trial last year. The Crown argued Polkinghorne killed his wife after a possible violent struggle, while he may have been under the influence of methamphetamine. The defence maintained Hanna died by suicide after many years of struggling with depression, compounded by work-related stress. A photograph of Pauline Hanna is framed on the wall of the Manukau Super Clinic. Photo: Melanie Earley Ashton - Polkinghorne's former lover - was called as a witness for the Crown but did not turn up during the trial. She told other media she decided not to give evidence at the trial due to being unhappy with the police's treatment of her. Ashton had since approached Coroner Tania Tetitaha's office, indicating she had evidence relevant to the circumstances of Hanna's death. This could now be revealed as the Coroner lifted a previous non-publication order. The next pre-Inquest conference is set down for August. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- RNZ News
Steve Braunias: Inside the Polkinghorne trial
Photo: supplied It was a trial that all but dominated the news agenda for two months - former eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne accused of murdering his senior health administrator wife, Pauline Hanna. It had all the features that grab attention; a high flying, wealthy couple, sex workers and drugs use. Philip Polkinghorne's defence was that his wife committed suicide. He was found not guilty of her murder. But what can a book on the trial add to all the wall to wall reporting at the time? Herald columnist, Steve Braunias was at the High Court for eight weeks writing a diary of the case. Now his book has been published. He joins Kathryn to talk about the experience of the trial and the individuals involved. POLKINGHORNE -Inside the trial of the century by Steve Braunias, published by Allen and Unwin NZ Recommended retail price: $37.99
NZ Herald
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
‘Kinky red pants': The photo of Polkinghorne that changed everything
In an exclusive extract from his new book Polkinghorne, award-winning journalist and author Steve Braunias wrote about a photo he believes turned New Zealand hearts against Philip Polkinghorne, and revealed him 'a bondage warrior, enjoying every bit of his midlife crisis'. The High Court of Auckland is a white-turreted castle
NZ Herald
11-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Polkinghorne: Steve Braunias on his new book on the trial of the century
Meth, money, marriage and murder. It was a trial that captivated the nation: Remuera eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne tried and acquitted for the murder of his elegant and loving wife Pauline Hanna. Steve Braunias and Carolyne Meng-Yee were at the Auckland High Court for those eight suspenseful weeks, reporting for Herald's award-winning team. Here, some highlights of the friends debriefing after the trial - and discussing Braunias' new book Polkinghorne.
NZ Herald
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Polkinghorne's new book: Reality star ‘shaken' by encounter with eye surgeon
Reality TV star Julia Lorimer told the Herald she was paired together with Philip Polkinghorne at a writing course in June. A reality star from The Real Housewives of Auckland says an encounter with Remuera eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne in a creative writing class last week left her shaken - and the tutor phoned to check on her afterwards. Julia Lorimer, 56, told the Herald that halfway through the one-day-long
