Case by Case (Open Justice)

13 Episodes
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By: NZ Herald

Every case tells a story. But understanding what happens in court, a tribunal or disciplinary hearing, and why, can be just as important as the verdict or finding itself. Hosted by Jane Yee alongside a rotating cast of NZ Herald Open Justice reporters, Case by Case examines the cases, disputes and decisions making headlines across New Zealand. Case by Case is an Open Justice podcast from the NZ Herald, with support from NZ On Air. New episodes every Tuesday at 5.30PM NZT

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Why a Dilworth abuser is walking free after being denied parole seven times
Why a Dilworth abuser is walking free after being denied parole seven times episode artwork
Today at 4:55 AM

Former Dilworth School teacher and housemaster Ian Wilson has been released from prison after serving his full sentence for sexually abusing former students.

Wilson was denied parole seven times, with the Parole Board repeatedly finding he continued to pose an undue risk to the community. But reaching his statutory release date means he must now be freed.

Open Justice reporter Tara Shaskey joins Jane Yee to examine Wilson’s offending, the survivor who attended every parole hearing to oppose his release, and why that exhausting process became a source of both trauma and vindication.


Why a repeat offender got a 55% sentencing discount
Why a repeat offender got a 55% sentencing discount episode artwork
09/15/2026

A young offender involved in a violent home invasion received sentencing discounts totalling 55%. Hannah Bartlett from NZ Herald's Open Justice team joins Jane Yee to explain what happened on the night in question and how the court reached a sentence with a 55% discount applied.

The pair then unpack how sentencing works more broadly, including starting points, uplifts and discounts, the role of victim impact statements, and how judges balance punishment, rehabilitation and public safety.

Case by Case is a New Zealand Herald podcast from the Open Justice team, with support from New Zealand...


Six young lives lost - Inside a Northland coronial inquest
Six young lives lost - Inside a Northland coronial inquest episode artwork
09/08/2026

This episode contains discussion of suicide.

A coronial inquest into the deaths of six young people in Northland identified significant gaps in the support available to rangatahi and their whānau, including poor communication between government agencies and under-resourced mental health services.

Open Justice reporter Shannon Pitman joins Jane Yee to discuss what the inquest found, the changes already being made in Northland, and why telling the stories of the young people involved matters.

Then, we take a wider look at New Zealand’s coronial system — why an inquest might be held, what a cor...


Why do so many 501 deportees reoffend?
Why do so many 501 deportees reoffend? episode artwork
09/01/2026

A New Zealand-born grandmother who spent 13 years living in Australia has had her visa cancelled and is being deported after serving time for family violence.

She is one of thousands of people sent to New Zealand under Section 501 of Australia’s Migration Act.

So what happens when someone is deported to a country they may barely know, separated from their family, work and support networks? And where should responsibility lie when they offend again?

On this episode of Case by Case, Jane Yee is joined by Open Justice’s Ric Stevens to unpack how...


Could your social media posts land you in court?
Could your social media posts land you in court? episode artwork
08/25/2026

A man said his livestream behaviour was just an online persona designed to attract viewers. A Family Court judge found it amounted to psychological abuse.

On Case by Case, Jane Yee and Open Justice reporter Shannon Pitman look at the case behind the protection order, and explain when posts, comments, DMs and other online behaviour can cross the line under the Harmful Digital Communications Act.

Case by Case is a New Zealand Herald podcast from the Open Justice team, with support from New Zealand On Air.

New episodes every Tuesday at 5.30PM NZT<...


The kidnapping case that could keep an offender behind bars for life
The kidnapping case that could keep an offender behind bars for life episode artwork
08/18/2026

A Christchurch kidnapping and sexual assault has resulted in one of New Zealand’s harshest sentences: preventive detention.

The offender had close to 60 previous convictions and had spent decades behind bars. But what makes a judge decide an ordinary prison sentence is no longer enough?

On Case by Case, Jane Yee speaks with Open Justice reporters Al Williams and Ric Stevens about the case, how preventive detention works, who can receive it, and why the sentence has raised human rights concerns.

Case by Case is a New Zealand Herald podcast from the Open Ju...


What happens when you take your boss to the ERA?
What happens when you take your boss to the ERA? episode artwork
08/11/2026

A Queenstown worker took his employer to the Employment Relations Authority after his work ute was replaced with a smaller vehicle he said didn’t meet the terms of his employment deal.

Open Justice reporter Brianna McIlraith joins Jane Yee to unpack the unusual dispute, before explaining how the ERA works, what kinds of cases it hears, how long the process can take and what happens when an employer or employee gets it wrong. 

Case by Case is an Open Justice podcast from the New Zealand Herald, made with support from New Zealand On Air.

<...


How shoplifting became bigger, bolder and more dangerous
How shoplifting became bigger, bolder and more dangerous episode artwork
08/04/2026

A Hamilton mother stole nearly $14,000 worth of vacuum cleaners, perfume, tools and other goods—sometimes simply filling a trolley and walking out. Jane Yee and Open Justice reporter Belinda Feek examine the case, the unusual refund trick she used, and why the judge gave her one final chance.

Then, they look at the changing face of shoplifting in New Zealand: increasingly brazen bulk theft, online resale, growing violence against retail workers, facial recognition technology and the proposed expansion of citizens’ arrest powers.

Case by Case is made with support from NZ On Air

New...


Gift or investment? Parents take daughter to court over two homes
Gift or investment? Parents take daughter to court over two homes episode artwork
07/28/2026

A sizeable contribution towards a house deposit led to one crucial question: was the money a gift or an investment?

When parents took their daughter to court over ownership of two properties, judges were left to untangle years of family finances, conflicting memories and messages buried in the family group chat.

NZ Herald Open Justice reporter Hannah Bartlett explains how the dispute reached the Court of Appeal, why money from parents is often presumed to be a gift, and what families, friends and couples should put in writing before buying property together.

Case...


Police go after gang member’s KiwiSaver
Police go after gang member’s KiwiSaver episode artwork
07/21/2026

Cash in a laundry basket, luxury vehicles and ... a $43,000 KiwiSaver account.

Police are pursuing the assets of a Comancheros member jailed for his involvement in a drug network busted by Operation Avon, they've already seized cash and cars, and now they're after his retirement savings. 

NZ Herald Open Justice reporter Ric Stevens explains how proceeds of crime laws work, what happens to assets before a criminal case is resolved, and where the money ends up once it is forfeited to the Crown.

Case by Case is made with support from NZ On Air


Tasered with his arms out: Who investigates the police?
Tasered with his arms out: Who investigates the police? episode artwork
07/14/2026

When Hamilton scaffolder Caleb Turner was tasered outside a police station, CCTV raised serious questions about what happened next. Open Justice reporter Belinda Feek joins host Jane Yee to examine the complaint and explain how the Independent Police Conduct Authority investigates alleged police misconduct.

Click here to read Belinda's story and watch the CCTV footage detailed in this episode.

Case by Case is an Open Justice podcast for the NZ Herald, made with support from NZ On Air.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Introducing Case by Case - an Open Justice podcast from NZ Herald
Introducing Case by Case - an Open Justice podcast from NZ Herald episode artwork
07/14/2026

Every case tells a story. But understanding what happens in court, a tribunal or disciplinary hearing, and why, can be just as important as the verdict or finding itself.

Hosted by Jane Yee alongside a rotating cast of NZ Herald Open Justice reporters, Case by Case examines the cases, disputes and decisions making headlines across New Zealand.

New episodes every Tuesday at 5.30PM NZT

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Coming Soon...
Coming Soon... episode artwork
07/12/2026

Every case tells a story. But understanding what happens in court, a tribunal or disciplinary hearing, and why, can be just as important as the verdict or finding itself.

Hosted by Jane Yee alongside a rotating cast of NZ Herald Open Justice reporters, Case by Case examines the cases, disputes and decisions making headlines across New Zealand.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.