Belinda Feek is an Open Justice reporter based in Waikato. She has worked at NZME since February 2015 and been a journalist for 20 years.
Belinda's career started out in the small South Island town of Oamaru where she first started covering court, along with the police and entertainment rounds. She has continued writing about crime since then, including while working in Whanganui before moving to Hamilton in 2007. Her journalism career has also seen her cover large breaking news events including the Kaikoura earthquake and White Island eruption. Belinda, who is of Ngati Kahungungu descent, has a keen interest in the justice system and exploring the journey of those who have to go through it with balance, honesty and integrity.
Shoplifter who reoffended after being bailed 13 times ‘stole to survive’
'The only way we could stop you from stealing was to remand you in custody,' says judge.
Man admits New Year's Day murder of baby, violent attack on two others
The infant was killed at a home in Hamilton on January 1 this year.
'The man cannot be trusted': Former rogue cop John Dewar jailed for company theft
The judge said the 73-year-old enjoyed a high level of trust in his role as CEO.
Motorist's road rage caused para-cyclist training for Paralympics to crash
The victim, Eltje Malzbender, was still able to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Man charged with murder after 30yo woman struck in Hamilton crash
Michael Karekare, 38, was granted bail when he appeared in court this afternoon.
'She's not your rehab': Man runs down partner, denies her medical treatment
'In traditional Māori society, we don’t treat women as our punching bags,' says judge.
'I'll burn the house down': Man's Molotov cocktail revenge backfires, torches innocent person's home
Joshua Brennan's drunken retaliation caused about $25,000 in damage.
Forgetful pizza store robber leaves police scanner - with his DNA all over it - at the scene
Charles Wilson was on electronic monitoring bail for a series of burglaries at the time.
'Crude attempt': Sister caught trying to use gran's death to get gangster brother out of prison
Natalia Merrin, 28, even catfished another dead person's Facebook page.
'Disgraceful behaviour': Gang member tells cops he was selling meth to make money for his kids
A judge has slammed Anaru Tukere's excuse given Tribal Huk's stance on meth.
'Felt their back crack': Woman jailed for beating, punching and kicking children
The 31-year-old threw one child into a wall with so much force that it left a hole.
Man jailed for 'unprecedented' courtroom attack on judge
The sentencing judge said the assault went 'to the heart of our justice system'.
'Concern about escalation': Children as young as one identified in man's objectionable videos
Jordan Te Iri-Kearns was jailed for 25 and a half months.
'You need help': Judge urges man to stop drinking after 13th drink-driving conviction
Sukhdev Singh has used alcohol to cope since losing his teenage son in a quadbike crash.
'You can have 2, not 3': Polyamorous throuple's battle to keep names on kids' birth certificates
The Attorney-General has challenged a decision allowing all three parents to be named.
Former top cop John Dewar revealed as businessman convicted of theft, deception charges
John Dewar was jailed in 2007 for covering up Louise Nicholas' rape allegations.
'Captured in buckets': Staff rush to try to contain water pouring through court ceiling
The ministry has confirmed the leak came from water reservoirs stored on the court's roof.
'I was just watering them': Man living in converted drug house denies being part of cannabis op
Thanh Truong Ho will likely be deported after serving his jail sentence.
Wedding celebration turns to tragedy after woman causes crash that killed her sister
Four others were also injured in the Wanaka crash last year.
'We'd get secondhand stuff': Businessman allegedly swapped new appliances with his old ones
The former company director says he's never seen the weed spray unit that was bought.
'You can't pay yourself': Businessman wasn't qualified to receive money he paid himself
A forensic accountant claimed the defendant was using his loan like a revolving credit.
'Will never forgive you': Family inconsolable after cyclist killed by truck driver
Jessica Moser's family has been left 'destroyed' by her death in 2022.
Businessman accused of siphoning company of $111k, buying weed killer and Hush Puppies shoes
The 73-year-old claims he hasn't committed a crime, and it was a poorly governed company.
'I can't go to jail': Colombian refugee tries to convince teen to drop sex charges
The victim was repeatedly sexually assaulted by three men. All have now been sentenced.
Woman used company card to steal from early childhood employer
Police prosecutor: 'It was deeply cynical and calculated and persistent.'
'I very much regret it': Doctor accepts oral sex at work was unwise
The doctor says the proceedings have affected his mental health.
'Reprehensible': Expert blasts behaviour of doctor who allegedly had sex at clinic
However, the expert ended up softening his views after questions from counsel.
'Sex on the leather couch': Doctor faces tribunal for 'blurring professional boundaries'
The doctor denies that any sexual activity took place while at his work.
'I’ll cut your throat,' drug seeker told woman days before breaking man's back
The 24-year-old has a history of drug abuse, mental health problems and violence issues.
'Lives changed irreversibly:' Ex-teacher jailed for sex acts with teen he met on Grindr
Victim's parents say he struggles with fear and confusion and feels unsafe leaving home.
'Your last chance:' Judge warns man caught filming woman in Salvation Army changing room
The 38-year-old has a penchant for committing indecent acts.
‘You owe money’: Ex-inmate robbed at gunpoint by former prison buddies
The victim had no idea why he was being robbed or attacked.
‘I didn’t deserve it’: Cancer victim’s words from grave after violent patu attack
'This is not how I wanted to spend my last six months alive,' the victim wrote.
Courier driver kidnapped by armed gang member, ordered to strip as parcels stolen
While the NZ Post driver was not injured, he was left 'scared for his life'.
‘Snitch’: Man hits grandmother with car, later runs down teen, laughs as he lies critical
The man mistakenly believed the teen was a witness in the case involving the grandmother.
Terrified woman carjacked by man on meth at busy intersection, ordered to drive
He got in her passenger seat, carrying a rubbish bag of clothes, and made demands.
Man charged with two counts of murder in Hamilton is named
Emergency services were called to Beatty St in Melville, Hamilton, at 4.30am on March 15.
'Do not do it': Coroner's plea to drivers after three alcohol-related crash deaths
Sahil Prasad was driving home when he was struck by Jack Halliday, driving a work ute.
‘Treated like an animal’: Gang member involved in mob killing kept in kennel as a baby
The three-day sentencing came to an end with lengthy jail terms handed down.
‘Frankly evil’: Judge slams Mongrel Mob's ‘gratuitous’ attack that left one man dead
Justice Andrew Becroft: 'It was mob violence. Metaphorically and literally.'
‘You ruined my life’: Woman confronts rapist as he's sent to jail
“I have felt the effects of this in every aspect of my life," she told Ericson Pascua.
'They hold no mana': Victim's sister condemns gang who killed her brother in retaliatory attack
Mitchell Te Kani died after a group of Mongrel Mob members stormed his parent's home.
Man who threatened to shoot kids in school says he was just ‘having a bad day’
Abdul Javed says he never had any intention of following through with the threats.
Man alleged to have murdered child with hammer can now be named
Charles Wharton will fight three charges at trial in the High Court at Hamilton next year.
‘A silly judgment call’: Man who showed sex video to friend worried about job prospects
Neasan McVeigh lost name suppression and a bid for a discharge without conviction.
‘Violence on violence’: Inmate sentenced for brutal prison yard assault
The 29-year-old had a further 14 months jail time added to his current sentence.
Puppy punched in head four times during man’s attack on partner, daughter
The 50-year-old says he knows how much force to use before inflicting harm.
'I luv u always have': Man's frightening, erratic infatuation with woman
The 61-year-old wrongly believed he was in a relationship with the woman.
Mall car park hammer attack sparked by child seen eating cigarettes
The 28 year old told police afterward that she intended to kill the woman.
Man strangled partner after All Blacks' game because he was hungry and wanted Uber Eats
The judge said Harrison Bryant was a demanding, belligerent and verbally abusive.
‘Cash came in for Crays’: Couple given crayfish permit for hui illegally sold 35kg to local restaurant
Tony Magner says he's embarrassed by the fall from grace.
‘Massive problem’: Man five times over limit drank bottle of vodka then ‘went for a drive’
The 35-year-old had been sentenced just months earlier for the same thing.
‘Repugnant to justice’: Judge says jail only option for serial shoplifter
Kenneth Waaka didn't want media to take his photo because he was embarrassed.
‘No remorse’: 50-year-old jailed for child abuse imagery – again
The man had nine different user accounts for apps to exchange photos and videos.
A young, violent armed robber and his time behind bars with the Man Up group
He carried out five armed robberies but is now considered a role model for younger men.
Teen who gave underage girl drugs before unlawful sex too young to be jailed
The teen is now 20 and due to become a father. His victim was just 15.
‘You are the thief and one shouldn’t lose sight of that’: Judge to repeat shoplifter
The 24-year-old nabbed nearly $9000 worth of sunglasses in just one haul.
'I'll stab you': Shoplifter's threat as she steals $1500 worth of clothing, with toddler in tow
Rosey Heurea targeted Rebel Sport, The Warehouse, Farmers and Chemist Warehouse.
'Today, we get justice:' Sexually abused students tell teacher as he's sent to jail
Geoffrey Coker maintains he's a "scapegoat" for other teachers he claims abused pupils.
Soiled, neglected toddler found wandering streets, mother was ‘disconnected from reality’
The whānau was on Oranga Tamariki's radar long before the child went missing.
'Both men helped themselves': Mongrel Mob members raped 14-year-old in motel room
The teen was subjected to a terrifying sexual assault that spanned several hours.
‘Love you Scrap Dogg’: Murder accused drops suppression bid
Chalise Tei Barton-Barbarich allegedly killed a woman during a brawl.
‘F*** this’: Frustrated mum removed baby's oxygen, tried to leave ED after delays
Now the Waikato woman has ended up in court for the way she handled the situation.
'A wolf in sheep’s clothing:' How one woman's $500k theft destroyed a family business
'Because of you, the company [had] to shut down with the loss of all jobs.'
‘Brought to its knees’: Employee’s $500k theft forces business to fold
Elizabeth Donohue used the money on jewellery, gifts, debt, and holidays.
Tired teen was doing up to 176km/h in crash that killed mate
Thomas Henry May had been drinking at a pub and was heading to Hamilton when he crashed.
‘Pure heartlessness’: Man laundered $44k from 22 victims for Kenya-based scammers
Patrick Neho claimed he did it to feed his children but in reality, he fed his addictions.
Police officer charged with fracturing man's ribs and elbow during arrest, filing false report
The officer has been granted interim name suppression and is yet to enter a plea.
‘Her life had just begun’: Distraught family address toddler’s killer as she is jailed
The young woman became resentful over having to care for the 2-year-old.
Man killed by police ‘planned mass shooting’
The 42-year-old's former wife claims he'd been planning the incident for months.
Mother charged with reckless driving after fatal crash
Police alleged she may have been involved in a dispute with another driver.
Marketplace fraudster strikes again; victims sent screenshots of fake bank payments
The now 20-year-old pretended to pay for a $20,000 ute and $10,000 trailer.
‘Give me everything you have’: Teen jailed for armed robbery spree
The judge allowed 60% in discounts for his youth, pleas, and remorse.
Prisoner who nearly died after meth bag burst inside him caught with the drug again
He had been released from prison to attend a tangi when he ingested the drugs.
‘I wanted to piss off the police’: Arsonist reveals why he torched train station
Daniel Vale has previously been jailed for torching the office of former PM Sir John Key.
Coroner rules out foul play in death of man whose body was found at a playground
VJ Tutai was likely in a low mood from drug withdrawal at the time of his death.
Couple fined $20k for illegal building work, say they didn’t need consent as they are ‘sovereign citizens’
Councils were 'seeing a surge' of sovereignty citizenship arguments.
‘She said ’yes': Man acquitted of filming Tinder date during consensual sex
But, he was found guilty of showing the video to a mutual friend.
‘I’m so broken’: Family’s grief after car crashes into Fonterra truck, killing young couple
The man has pleaded not guilty and will keep his name a secret for now.
'I would be scared 24/7': Hindu priest convicted for gouging woman's eyes, other assaults
Jainesh Prasad now risks being deported from New Zealand.