Tara Shaskey is a news director and Open Justice reporter, based in Taranaki.
Tara Shaskey began her journalism career in 2014 as a motoring reporter for Stuff before taking on other rounds such as crime and justice, arts and entertainment, and Māori issues. In 2022, she joined NZME as part of the Open Justice project, a specialist team of multimedia journalists who cover a wide range of courts, tribunals, and legal issues across New Zealand. You can contact Tara at tara.shaskey@nzme.co.nz.
Puppies, cryptocurrency and offshore scammers: How one Kiwi became a money mule
He gave a mystery perpetrator his bank account to use, creating multiple victims.
'Zero to 100': Mum with no criminal history stole $140k from relative, involved in stabbing
Mihiata Morgan's offending history went from 'zero to 100', her lawyer said.
Five years for answers: Grieving mum's wait for teen's crash death findings
Olivia Keightley-Trigg was killed in 2018 by a dangerous driver.
Officer justified in shooting at man in lengthy siege that shut down schools, highway
The armed man allegedly shot at police before the 14-hour stand-off.
Refugee flees cartel-connected abductor bent on revenge
The man spent time in hiding before eventually moving to New Zealand.
Youth running coach's jailhouse confession: '140 to 150 additional victims'
Alan Rubick has been in jail for the past decade for sexual offending against boys.
Jailed rapist claims sexsomnia made him offend, Supreme Court to hear his case
He maintains he was asleep when he raped the woman and has no memory of the attack.
Jailed Dilworth housemaster grilled on whether there are more victims
Ian Wilson was asked the questions while at his third unsuccessful parole hearing.
'Put a nail through your skull': Builder who threatened foreman awarded $9k
The colleagues' argument began over the volume of music and the use of a pencil.
Nurse cleared of inappropriately touching a tetraplegic patient's genitals
The nurse admitted to touching the patient's genitals but only to change his catheter.
'I can’t explain how broken I am': Widow's grief after young dad dies in mill accident
Sorav Saini, a father of two, died after becoming stuck in a machine.
'This is huge': Gail Maney granted appeal hearing to fight ‘Gone Fishing’ conviction
Gail Maney spent 15 years in prison for ordering the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys.
'Tragic situation': Timber mill worker dies in machinery incident
WorkSafe is investigating following the death of the New Plymouth employee.
How a Kiwi avoided exile after $200k burglary that allegedly involved killing pet dog 'Gucci'
The teen ransacked the family's Sydney home, making off with designer goods and jewellery.
Notorious murderer and prison escapee Phillip John Smith takes Parole Board to court
He claims the board 'misinterpreted' parts of the law when considering him for release.
Trainee doctor avoids conviction for crash as it could jeopardise his career
But he's avoided conviction after a judge ruled it could jeopardise his medical career.
'Unhinged' businessman raped wife next to sleeping children
It occurred amid the man's obsession with opposing the Government's Covid-19 mandates.
Jailed serial rapist barred from contacting daughters after sending them 'provocative' drawings
The artwork featured females in 'fairly provocative poses and dressed in very little'.
Bigamy, abuse and 'human-trafficking': How a mother and son found 'sanctuary' in New Zealand
They weren't destined for New Zealand but once they landed, they instantly sought refuge.
'Milk bar bandit': Young father kicked out of Australia, leaves behind kids
He held up several milk bars across Melbourne, making off with cash and cigarettes.
'Breach of trust': Carer stole thousands from bedridden, tetraplegic client
He stole the victim's bank details and used them to set up several online accounts.
Man denies throwing fisherman off jetty, holding him underwater during assault
Joshua Zane Russell, 39, has been remanded into custody.
'Devastated': Painter fired for not working unpaid overtime wins $30k
He was accused of poor workmanship and then ordered to fix it for free.
Mother jailed for pouring boiling water on her son fails to overturn conviction
She maintains the boy injured himself when he tripped with a hot pot of pasta.
'Extreme and gratuitous violence': Young league player suffered 'horrific' 20cm stab wound
He stabbed the teen in the stomach and then horizontally sliced the blade.
Salesman who stole $360k fails home detention, sent to jail
The farm equipment dealer applied to have his sentence reviewed. Now he's in jail.
‘Missed opportunities’ in mother’s care before prem baby's death
Pregnant mum Andrea Donaldson suffered a maternal collapse when her uterus ruptured.
Traumatised couple flee rental after witnessing alleged gang murder
The landlord was left thousands out of pocket, the Tenancy Tribunal heard.
'Significant humiliation': Woman's photo hung publicly in agency for years
Now she is seeking compensation for the breach of her privacy and 'injury to feelings'.
Meth cook drove while high, killing two people and injuring three
Now, his victims have to wait four months to see him sentenced, outraging the prosecutor.
'Very concerning': Man seeking time-critical HIV meds turned away from ED
He was questioned loudly about his sex life in front of others, and referred to his GP.
Homeowner beaten by Nomads for not paying them 'rent' on property he owned
The man did not know the gang members and had owned his home for five years.
Teen mobster involved in murder ordered to take himself to jail
The Court of Appeal has overturned Tana Ormsby-Turner's sentence of home detention.
Intellectually impaired burglar has jail term slashed by almost half on appeal
The High Court found the judge failed to properly account for the man's impairments.
Man on home detention approved to shop but steals clothes, cuts off ankle bracelet
He was only three days into his home detention sentence when he cut off his bracelet.
Jurors weep as teen found guilty of murdering camper for his car
The teen was on a programme for at-risk youth when he fatally stabbed Adrian Humphreys.
Vulnerable tenant suffered year of torment before fatal beating by flatmate
He ordered his victim around, sent him to his room without food, then murdered him.
Tāngarākau campground murder: Forensic evidence alone proves teen killed camper, Crown claims
Adrian Humphreys was fatally stabbed while camping last year in remote Taranaki.
'I'm not going down for this': Teen protests his arrest for murder of a camper
Adrian Humphreys was fatally stabbed through his sleeping bag while camping.
Man dies of cardiac event hours after being discharged from cancer clinic
The man, in his 40s, was in his first cycle of chemo when he became acutely unwell.
Jail term 'appropriate' for gang trio who bashed disabled man wearing red
The men, who took part in the attack inside a McDonald's, have failed in their appeal.
'Don't tell no one': Teen’s alleged confession about camper's murder
A 17-year-old has been accused of murdering Adrian Humphreys at a remote campground.
Jail would be an 'injustice' for Mongrel Mob member involved in murder, lawyer argues
Tana Ormsby-Turner was sentenced to home detention but the Crown want him jailed.
Mongrel Mob 'captain' jailed for KFC attack on rival has sentence overturned, to be retried
Vinnie Herewini attacked a Black Power member with a golf club and took his gang insignia.
'I felt sick': Youth worker finds body of camper allegedly murdered by teen
Adrian Humphreys was stabbed five times while staying at a remote Taranaki campground.
'It's a horror story': Teen allegedly murdered man while on camp for at-risk youth
He allegedly stabbed the camper five times while trying to steal his car keys.
'High-pitched scream' rang out after teen allegedly stabbed camper, 57, to death for car
Adrian Humphreys was fatally stabbed while camping at the remote site.
Australia exiles Kiwi truckie who drank bourbon and sped, killing a teen in a crash
He was drinking while on his way home from a 'stressful' day at work when he hit the teen.
Killer driver's jail sentence quashed due to injuries she suffered in crash she caused
She was driving drunk when she caused a crash that killed a young woman.
Teen in cell next to his father's 'stalled within the prison system'
He's been waiting more than a year for treatment. And he's not alone.
'I have a lot of hate towards them': A widow's life after murder
Jacob Ramsay was beaten, chained to a car and dragged to his death.
'She showed a callous indifference': Young mother sobs as she is jailed for killing
She was involved in the death of Jacob Ramsay, who was beaten, chained and dragged.
'I thought you were going to kill me': Man choked sex worker into unconsciousness
'I was banged up and bruised up, and I had these panic attacks for about six weeks after'.
GP and 'champion' of Covid vaccination gave patient anti-vax information
She said she was given document by senior colleague and didn't read it before sharing it.
Black Power member 'p***** off' they got the wrong man in McDonald's attack
They thought he was a Mongrel Mob member. But he was a mentally impaired man wearing red.
'Arrogant and disrespectful': Businessman guilty of rape
The jury heard he stopped his meds, was opposing Covid-19 mandates and went 'crazy'.
'Criminal enterprise': Husband and wife 501 deportees conned banks into loaning $9m
The couple used the funds to develop a significant property portfolio.
Businessman's descent into Covid 'crazy' leads to multiple alleged sex attacks
His personality changed when he stopped his meds and began protesting, the Crown says.
'No evidence': Coroner rules out foul play in highway death of father-of-six
He was lying face down on the road when he was hit by two trucks.
Overstayer avoids deportation to support son after terror attacks
The widower from India had been living in New Zealand illegally for almost one year.
Woman dies after GP fails to diagnose blood clots for 22 months
The woman developed clots in her lungs after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.
Why gangsters jailed for McDonald’s attack want lower sentences
The victim was mistakenly believed to be a member of a rival gang, the Mongrel Mob.
'Protuding from the socket': Man loses eye amid hospital's 'poor' post-op care
'Avoidable communication breakdowns' deprived the man of the urgent care he needed.
Woman flung 7m through the air after being hit by drug-driver
He was 'yahooing' out his window before he drove through a red light and hit the woman.
'Poorly written': Woman forged will to net multimillion-dollar estate
But her efforts made a lawyer suspicious, so he called in an expert.
'I hurt mum': Woman who killed mother found to be insane at time
Judge hearing case expresses sympathy to family for 'terrible event'.
Dying drink driver allowed to spend his final days in Australia
The man wanted a sentence that would allow him to move to Australia to be with his family.
Farm worker death: Jurors weep as young mother acquitted of murder, guilty of manslaughter
Jacob Ramsay was beaten, chained to a car and towed along a tanker track.
'Extremely angry': Woman incited grisly tanker track attack, Crown suggests
Jacob Ramsay was beaten, chained to a car and towed along a tanker track.
Murder-accused sends 'love letter' to killer partner in prison, revealing 'no regrets'
Jacob Ramsay was beaten, chained to a car and towed along a tanker track.
'No, no': Murder victim still conscious when chained to car, accused claims
Jacob Ramsay was beaten, chained to a car and dragged to his death.
'You fellas are mad': Farm boss turns up to tanker track attack, hears worker was dumped in pit
The victim was beaten, chained to a car and dragged along a tanker track.
'Do you want to die?' Teen begs for life as he's pulled from car and stabbed at party
"Please, please don’t, I’m only 15, I’m 15, please stop," the victim pleaded.
'Manifestly inadequate': Crown to appeal sentence of teen Mobster involved in murder
Home detention is not appropriate given the seriousness of the crime, the Crown stated.
‘Manipulative’ farm equipment dealer rips off 25 customers to tune of $360k
The offending spanned two years and continued even after he was arrested for the crimes.
'I couldn't watch': Witness recalls chained victim being dragged to his death
'You don’t need to do this, you know, it’s not too late,' the man pleaded with the killer.
'Kill him': Witness claims hearing female order the death of farm worker who was beaten, dragged
People were yelling, there was a repetitive 'thud' and two days later a body was found.
'Nearby smiling': Young mum accused in murder of man who was beaten, chained and dragged
She allegedly smiled as the assault unfolded and stopped a person from intervening.