Ric Stevens is a Multimedia Journalist specialising in Open Justice reporting at Hawke's Bay Today.
I have worked in journalism for about 40 years, including as a political reporter at Parliament and in senior roles at a number of daily newspapers. In the course of my career I have met 10 prime ministers and covered topics as diverse as riots, earthquakes and murder trials, among many other things. I stepped aside from daily journalism for a while in 2016 to complete a master's degree and then found myself working for four years on the front line of the criminal justice system, as a probation officer. This has helped inform my current reporting on crime and justice. I was delighted to be able to come back to journalism as a member of NZME's Open Justice team in 2022.
'I will never forgive you': Young mum's words to brother-in-law who abused her for years
The man has now been jailed and will be deported upon his release.
Whiff of cannabis during traffic stop leads to drugs convictions for young mum
The 22-year-old mother of three came to court prepared to go to prison.
Tenants grew cannabis but landlord who allegedly owned other grow houses avoids prosecution
Convicted brothers tried to shift responsibility for drug operation during trial.
Watch: Man who drove wrong way on motorway three times appeals convictions
Now, nine years later, he aims to get the endangering transport convictions overturned.
'You are a monster': Abducted woman escapes after locking rapist out of his own car
He tricked her into getting into the car, drove her to a remote location and raped her.
Early prison release for man with 168 convictions and 'high risk' of violence
The recidivist offender will have to wear an ankle bracelet when he gets out.
'Bloody beating': Pair found guilty of Javon Aranui's manslaughter
The jury deliberated for almost three days in case where the victim had 16 head injuries.
'She is not going to prison': Woman avoids jail after cousin's fatal mattress fall from car roof
Judge: 'You clearly are a good person who has done something you'll regret.'
Murder accused claims cyclist threw first punch: 'We never intended for him to die'
Isaiah Buchanan says those involved in fatal fight exchanged handshakes afterwards.
'A bloody beating': Police find victim unsteady on his feet at scene of fatal attack
Javon Aranui was rushed to hospital in an ambulance but died the next day.
Fatally injured man lived long enough to tell police he was 'jumped'
Two people are on trial for Javon Aranui's murder in Hastings in 2023.
Abused, addicted but not deported: Mum of six avoids 501 deportation after armed robbery
NZ woman helped plan armed robbery at her former workplace in Melbourne.
'Longstanding antipathy': Man stabbed cop in the head so hard the knife broke
Vaughan Elliot Subritzky has been jailed for the stabbing of a police officer.
Tramper made himself comfortable, set off beacon before dying of fall injuries
He wandered on to a steep and slippery slope from which he probably fell, says inquest.
'Appalling conduct': Solicitor sets up website, prints leaflets, harasses fellow lawyer
His actions have been described as a 'veritable crusade' against a fellow practitioner.
'Cold turkey': Former drug-taking league player avoids 501 deportation after remarkable turnaround
'Rot set in' when the drug user turned to methamphetamine. He later beat his addiction.
Man jailed for sending girl, 14, semi-naked photos of himself
He then asked for a lighter sentence when he was put on the child sex offender register.
'Cheers for the memories': A rapist's text after motel violation of impaired woman
Jury found Rigby guilty of rape in one instance, but not guilty of other sexual charges.
'Dismissed': Judge fails to block referral to conduct panel after NZ First party row
Judge allegedly said Winston Peters was 'lying' as she tried to enter NZ First function.
Weed estate: The landlords, the seven rental properties, and the cannabis enterprise
Landlord loses property portfolio, money, and gets home detention.
Canterbury cocaine ring: Smuggler believes he 'should be treated more leniently' than meth importers
The criminal group of Colombian and Argentinian dairy workers operated for four years.
Homeowner's 'worst nightmare': Woman's face cut, thought she would die in knifepoint burglary
The man heard the woman sold her car for $1000 and believed she'd have cash in the house.
Victim's $60k nest egg locked in money-laundering battle
Min Hu is one of 14 legitimate and innocent investors who are owed nearly $1.5m.
'Have a good life': Grieving father forgives Ariki Rigby's killer
Murdered woman's family and supporters turn out in force for Napier court sentencing.
'Serial and prolific:' Woman who stole $25k worth of goods has 150 dishonesty convictions
Now she's appealed her two years, six months jail term saying it's manifestly excessive.
'Gone forever': Beloved rugby stalwart killed by careless driver
The judge said cars are 'deadly machines' and motorists need to drive safely.
Mexican ‘tourist’ busted with $360k in cash and almost 14kg of meth
Man on three-month visa now faces years in NZ prison. The Crown has also taken his cash.
Parents oppose girl’s cancer treatment, try to leave NZ as govt agencies intervene
The mother said she wanted to treat the girl with 'natural and spiritual' methods.
Police made unlawful arrests and used ‘excessive’ force on men who filmed them
A charge of common assault was laid against one officer, but later dropped.
Man arrested in cannabis raid claims $77k was from window-washing
Charges against Aucklander Metuakore Paruru were withdrawn, but his cash was taken anyway.
‘I am deeply sorry’: Man developed terminal cancer after experts missed signs for five years
'Several different clinicians involved in [his] care failed to identify the abnormality.'
‘Incompetence’: How a simple injection led to infection, blood clots and 17 days in hospital
Health NZ has apologised to the single mother as it conducts an internal review.
Stink of cannabis at traffic stop leads to convictions and confiscation of $57k
A judge found police failed to follow proper procedures in holding on to the money.
Driver in horror crash that claimed four lives only had three hours sleep
One passenger even gave him a neck massage to try and keep him awake while driving.
Woman dies after three-day delay for surgery to fix her broken leg
The 74-year-old's leg was broken after she was knocked over in a park by a dog.
‘Driven by the gang code’: Mobster smiles during jailing for assault, extortion and kidnapping
The 25yo was sentenced for seven years for crimes that including aggravated robbery.
Ill gotten gains? The case of the shoebox with $164,080 inside
Terry Weston said the cash was from work, ACC payouts, a bike sale and gambling.
Driver wanted after $50,000 heist and police chase tried to hide in a woodshed
Hendrix John Haerewa rammed two police cars before fleeing on foot.
‘Dirty money’: $200k in flash cars, cash & drugs seized from Akl drug ring money launderer
Police found 44kg of meth during Operation Worthington, half of it hidden in a bathtub.
Man dies from sepsis in Auckland hospital despite daughter being told ‘he would come right’
Health NZ says it has apologised 'unreservedly' to the man's family.
Police search uncovers meth, $100,000 cash and an e-bike stolen in 2023
Armed officers stopped the alleged 'known offender' while driving in Tikokino on Friday.
Name suppression lifted for man accused of murdering Hastings father
Keith Pati had arrived in New Zealand in 2024 to find a future for his family.
‘Defect of character’: Why a would-be NZ lawyer was denied entry to the profession
Lawyer denied domestic violence history, but made complaints about people who opposed him.
'She deserved better': Ariki Rigby was murdered for wearing Mongrel Mob T-shirt
Family say they will make a 'whole lot of noise' at sentencing of murderer Jimmy Heremaia.
Murdered girl’s mother has died but her fight with killer over his $15k compo continues
Sam Te Hei was one of two men who murdered Colleen Burrows in 1987.
Electrocuted orchard worker warned of power lines moments before his death
'Yes, I know,' he responded when told to 'watch out for the wires'.
Man wants $2.7m arson conviction wiped because he can't get a job
Arsonist asked 'Does this light fires?' as he bought a bottle of meths at service station.
Migrant workers in visa scam each paid $16k for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery jobs that did not exist
The eight men arrived in New Zealand to find the jobs did not exist.
Supreme Court blocks disgraced lawyer Davina Reid's bid for reinstatement
Davina Reid (nee Murray) smuggled contraband into prison for a prisoner she later married.
Watchdog slams ‘grossly inadequate’ ruling on cop who used belt to ‘reset’ his kids
The officer said he used the belt when other methods of discipline failed.
'He's a monster:' Victim fights for prolific Dilworth paedophile to stay behind bars
Ian Wilson has appeared before the Parole Board for the fifth time since he was jailed.
‘Easy money:’ How string of life setbacks led man to become meth courier
Tony Looker was eventually stopped by police who found $113,000 in cash and 44g of meth.
'I made her look like that:' Man who beat woman for a month boasts about her injuries
Ford Tutaki beat and tortured the woman for a month before help arrived.
Police pose as 13-year-old girl, lure sex offender to the library
He wanted to have sex with the fake girl even after she told him her age.
‘More than just a meal’: Woman fights for kai costs to be covered at husband’s tangi
Authority rules in her favour saying kai is an 'ordinary and integral' part of a tangi.
'Overly harsh punishment': Real estate agent loses court battle over Māori course requirement
Hobson's Choice lobby group calls court decision "outrageous".
Four plead not guilty to murder of Boy Taylor in Napier CBD
Name suppression lifts for three of four defendants accused over homeless man's death.
Man admits involvement in arson of a car which was later found with woman's body in it
Ariki Rigby’s body was found in a car parked near Havelock North in September 2022.
Christian counsellor told abused teen she had 'soul ties' to her rapist
Multiple criticisms made of faith-based residential facility with oppressive rules.
‘Highly preventable:’ Man killed on highway warned not to hitchhike two hours earlier
Christopher Connell's last words to police before he died were that he 'loved life'.
Name revealed of boy convicted of murder at age 14
The killer is currently in prison for fatally stabbing the victim during a night out.
Therapist told to apologise and get mentor after woman’s distressing massage
He touched the woman inappropriately and asked her personal questions.
Former airwoman abused by her boss fails in bid for compensation from RNZAF
Court sympathises with abuse victim, but says exemplary damages claim cannot be justified.
'High public interest': Coroner prioritises hearings on 18 flood, cyclone deaths
The inquiry is likely to examine warnings, weather forecasts, landslide and flood risks.
Two teens among four charged with Napier murder
Street dweller Boy Taylor was known in the Napier CBD as friendly and sometimes talkative.
501 deportee loophole: Sex offender rejoins NZ community with no oversight
The man spent 15 months in an Australian prison before starting a 'suspended sentence'.
'We dug up graves': Kiwi lawyer on the cases that will always stay with him
Satchie Govender: 'They were having a barbecue while she was digging her own grave'.
Bullied prisoner slashes another inmate's face with razor from eye to chin
Reihana Cooper tied makeshift weapons to his hands before the attack.
‘Driver error’ the cause of a car crash that killed three people
A couple from Hamilton and a man from Auckland died in the 2022 crash.
'You will regret it': Kidnapper's sinister words to woman who thought she would die
The woman was kidnapped, strangled, and robbed by her ex-partner.
Police seize $413k from baggage handler in meth import case
The syndicate's 'logistics organiser' stored large amounts of cash at his sister's house.
Killer may have been acting out TV show scene when he stomped victim to death
New evidence, including the anime show, has been shown to Supreme Court justices.
Young murderers: The cycle of violence and neglect revealed
Murderers shared common backgrounds of abuse and violence.
New Zealand’s only convicted saboteur released from prison but will still be monitored
Taupō man served full prison sentence of three years and one month.
Man with 11 children, 163 convictions loses bid for early jail release
David Bagley already had his sentence reduced for his treatment in state care as a child.
'Please stay': Stabbing victim foresaw 'frenzied' knife attack
She was stabbed repeatedly in the face, upper torso and abdomen by a man in her home.
Tug-of-love: Court rules on whether kids stay in NZ with dad or move to Spain with mum
The Court of Appeal has taken the siblings' wishes into account in making its decision.
Pilot died after propeller fell off home-built plane during flight
He had installed a new propeller two hours before the accident.
Child rapist wants court order lifted now that she's a woman
Parsons abducted and raped a 12-year-old before taking her clothes for cross-dressing.
High-stakes saga: Mother, son lose $2.2m, including a Maserati, in asset forfeiture
They were convicted under anti-money-laundering law for moving $53m for a businessman.