Craig Ross, (pictured) of Kaikohe, murdered his boss in 2004 and is set to be released from prison after 21 years.
Craig Ross, (pictured) of Kaikohe, murdered his boss in 2004 and is set to be released from prison after 21 years.
A farmhand who shot his boss in the head while he was eating dinner says nothing made sense to him at the time and he’s now disgusted by his actions.
“I think what I did was terrible, it’s affected firstly the victims, then my family and the wider community. It’sbeen hard to deal with at times.”
Craig Neville Ross was reflecting on the killing at a recent Parole Board hearing, where board members asked him how he felt about what he did to Northland farmer Robert Green in 2004.
Ross told the board about the isolation he was feeling at the time, his addictions and the impulsivity that led to the shooting.
“This is an execution of a man in a brutal manner. It’s not only brutal, it’s cruel, depraved and callous in the extreme,” Crown lawyer Peter Magee said at sentencing.
Ross’ lawyer Arthur Fairley said his client had been provoked after Green was reportedly pressuring him into a sexual relationship.
Fairley alleged on the day Green died, he had got into Ross’ bed and touched him “in a way that no man should be interfered with”.
Ross was convicted of murder in 2005 after a jury in Kaikohe found him guilty. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years.
‘I would act impulsively’
Last week, Ross appeared before a panel of Parole Board members, including Neville Trendle, Paul Elenio, Alan Hackney and professor Susanna Every-Palmer.
His counsel, Darien Mahoney, told the board Ross had completed all treatment available to him over the past 21 years.
“He knows he is fortunate to have a supportive family, has demonstrated excellent compliance and communication which will stand him in good stead in the community,” Mahoney said.
The farmhouse in Kaikohe where Robert Green was killed. Photo / NZME
Ross reflected on his crime and told the board that in the week leading up to the murder he had been heavily drinking, using cannabis and was making poor decisions.
“I didn’t know how to ask for help, I was very isolated, it was to the point where nothing was making sense. Things would come up and I would act impulsively.”
After 21 years inside, Ross has now completed four guided releases, lived in a self-care unit and has been learning building skills he hopes to use once released.
He has a secure safety plan that ensures awareness of triggering situations and was able to clearly communicate his needs with family and probation officers.
The Parole Board granted Ross’ release for later this month with detailed exclusion zones.
He will be subject to conditions for life, random drug and alcohol testing and will be required to report back to the Parole Board in February 2026.
Shannon Pitman is a Whangārei-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the Te Tai Tokerau region. She is of Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Pūkenga descent and has worked in digital media for the past five years. She joined NZME in 2023.
