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.
Court hears 111 call from man allegedly murdered in group mob hit
Upset whānau could be heard in court where 10 people are on trial for murder.
'I am not a criminal:' Couple accused of migrant rort want compensation after winning appeal
The court process destroyed their marriage and reputation - they want compensation.
'It was retaliation': Brother allegedly killed in armed Mongrel Mob hit
Mitchell Te Kani was struck in the head with a crowbar. Now 10 people are on trial.
Waikato electrician's descent into child exploitation
Authorities identified one of Daniel Raynes' victims as a 10-year-old girl in America.
'He's done it again': Anger as crash victims learn driver has now killed another person
1982 crash victim's sister: “It’s just like, ‘you bastard, you brought it all up again’.
'What a waste of my life': Gang member says he's ready to change after kidnapping mate
Tane Milne wants to be a role model and show 'the young fullas this ain’t the life'.
‘Dangerous’ drug dealer busted in traffic stop
A partially hidden knife was enough to prompt police to search Nepia Taonui's car.
'Hard to see how you could have been worse': Man jailed for violence, rapes
Hokowai George Rotorangi inflicted physical and sexual violence on the woman.
'Predatory attack': Woman followed home after trying to buy coffee with $100 bill
Taonui Cooper kicked and punched the woman as he demanded she hand over the money.
Man angry about wheelie bin contract ploughed into road worker with kids in his car
Finn Higgins admitted six charges in the High Court at Hamilton today.
Man blackmails Tinder victim: Pay up or I tell your family
Kavinesh Lal received $1300 in exchange for not revealing the victim was gay.
'Dig his own hole': Kidnapped, beaten and shot at – drive-by victim seeks retribution on wrong man
Valley Harrison told the man he'd snap his fingers, shoot him and make him dig his grave.
Foster mum of seven children jailed for $221k benefit fraud
'She has taken advantage of the benefit system for her own personal gain.'
Tears as jury finds teen stepmum killed toddler Harlee-Rose
The Crown said Jessica Mulford was resentful about caring for 2-year-old Harlee-Rose.
Defence say dad's 'magic carpet ride' caused Waikato toddler's fatal injuries
But, the Crown says it was Harlee-Rose's stepmum who snapped and killed the 2-year-old.
'I live in constant fear of death': Fatal crash victim's sister describes ongoing trauma
The repeat drink-driver who killed her brother has now been sent to jail.
Man jailed for violence against toddler who suffered injuries 'worse than some fatalities'
'It’s pure luck and good fortune that (she) was able to survive the multiple attacks'.
'I'm sick of everyone thinking I'm a murderer': Teen stepmum accused of killing toddler
The Crown alleges Jessica Mulford stomped on toddler Harlee-Rose.
‘Help, my daughter isn't breathing’: Dad’s desperate efforts to save toddler heard in murder trial
He pounded on his neighbour’s door and asked for her to do CPR on the girl.
A fall or strangulation? Dr questions stepmum's explanation for toddler's injuries
A doctor assessed an injured Harlee-Rose five months before she was allegedly murdered.
'She snapped': Teen stepmum allegedly stomped on toddler causing fatal injuries
The injuries were so bad Harlee-Rose Niven's pancreas was split in two.
Top cop under fire again after bullying senior officer
The IPCA finds Bruce Bird's management style is 'no longer acceptable for NZ Police'.
'Drunken, stupid error': Drunk DHB worker poked cop's bottom at pub
Police said there was 'an application of force' which left the officer feeling violated.
Schizophrenic arsonist wanted to 'burn down' DHB's mental health unit
Hoturoa Flanangan also set fire to a vehicle, garage and punched a police officer.
'It was my friend': Wanted man tells police after he's found hiding under house
Drew Hansen fled after being stopped in a stolen car but a police dog quickly found him.
'Hard loss to bear': Burglar stole family heirlooms to pay $13k drug debt
Jamie Downard, who has nearly 80 burglary convictions, broke into seven homes.
'Nearly died': Inmate allowed out for tangi returned with a bag of meth which burst inside him
Judge tells Huata Irving, who was hospitalised, he's the “author of his own misfortune".
'Misguided loyalty': Parents pay the price after coercing victim to change her statement
Henry and Deborah Dalley's son was in custody after assaulting a woman.
Driver high on cannabis drifted into oncoming lane before killing Raglan mum
Cannabis-affected driver Darren Lahood crashed into an oncoming car.
Mother left with boot imprint on forehead after partner’s attack
Kiro Fortes strangled woman before throwing her to the ground and stomping on her.
'Extreme and disturbing': Men took pics of preschooler, shared with online predators
Judge: 'The offending against a [relative] is the ultimate betrayal of trust.'
Warehouse Group staffer hacks system, steals $95k vouchers to ‘mess with bosses’
Troiden Jamieson will pay less than 10% per cent of the money back.
Watch: Black Power member performs haka as he is found not guilty at third murder trial in 11 years
The jury believed his defence that another man killed Wiremu Birch in Taupo.
Hamilton burglar busted on bottle shop roof with $3k product punched police dog
The father of seven was jailed for just over five years on 19 charges.
HIV exacerbated killer's psychosis as he stabbed grandfather to death
Guy Thompson died from blood loss on his neighbour's kitchen floor.
Waikato woman charged with toddler's attempted murder
The 33-year-old woman was granted continued name suppression today.
Why teen service station robber got a 65% discount at sentencing
Anaru Rueben was involved in a $14,000 aggravated robbery of a Gull station.
Robber storms bakery with knife, gun and hammer down his pants
Patrick Arahanga ran into the bakery demanding cash from the till.
The benefit fraudster who didn't need to defraud MSD after all
Her children were not in her care but she continued to collect the benefits.
‘I’m a gangster. I can get any woman I want’: Witness claims in murder trial
Wiremu Birch was stabbed to death 11 years ago during a street fight in Taupō.
Man who killed person with his car convicted again 40 years later
Peter Napier killed a motorist with his car in 1982 and then a pedestrian in 2022.
Courier driver avoids conviction for crash that left motorcyclist dead
An NZ Post van and motorbike collided head-on along a rural road.
'I lied': Eye witness changes statement about boyfriend's killer
Wiremu Birch's girlfriend has retracted most of what she's said on previous occasions.
Who killed Wiremu Birch? Third trial over 11-year-old Taupō murder begins
The defence says there's another man who has escaped blame all these years.
'What a coward': Judge lambasts young man who beat pregnant partner
'You can take it as read that if you return to court you will go to jail.'
'Go f*** yourself': Rapist abuses judge, walks out of sentencing
Gregory Simon punched a woman in the head before strangling and raping her.
Shoplifter pees on shelves as he walks down supermarket aisle
Duchaan Fraser now has to pay $4000 back to Woolworths at $15 a week.
'All hell broke loose': Jury agrees with teen who texted mates after fatal crash
Taku Manu Paul was killed after twice being run down by the teen.
'All hell broke loose': Jury to decide if woman and teen had murderous intent
Taku Manu Paul was killed after being struck twice by a car.
'Just let it happen': 67yo's words about rape to schoolgirl on bus
He touched the teen's thigh as he spoke to her about rape.
'God will never forgive you': Mother of Tesla crash victim takes aim at killer driver
“He killed my daughter. I don’t want $7000. He killed my daughter.”
'Is that it?' Anger as woman sentenced for Taupō crash that killed two
'I feel so robbed and heartbroken', a victim's son tells the court.
Baby Mustafa Ali death: Man to fight murder charge
A trial date has set in the High Court at Hamilton for February 2026.
Killer attacked in dock as he's jailed for partner's manslaughter
Corrections staff and court security were assaulted in the melee.
Fog cannon scares off ciggie robbers who left with icecreams instead
A member of the public tried to stop them from fleeing but was rundown in the process.
'Middle man' sold firearms stolen in rifle club heist
Owen Dlyakiya received four rifles and onsold two of them.
120kg drug bust: Man caught near ship claims he was 'practising to become a boat captain'
Kupa Koinaki didn't realise police had already taken the cocaine he was meant to collect.
Transgender woman off to men's prison after violent hammer attack
Crown says jail challenges for trans woman not "something she should get a discount for".
Tradie accused of $87k of fraud wanted trial thrown out due to 'excessive' delays
Jason Lambert's lawyer argued: “It’s his right to be tried without undue delay.”
'She knew what she was doing:' Woman sent injured child overseas to avoid police probe
The 35-year-old was accused of assaulting the girl who turned up at school with injuries.
'Give me your drugs, cash, jewellery': Sleeping residents woken by armed burglar
Kohl Gibbons was wearing a headlamp and holding a .22 sawn-off rifle.
'Broken teeth, fractured eye socket': Prison guards' bloody beating
Inmate Krome Wilson punched one of the guards from behind, sending him to the ground.
A burden to bear: Mum's angst after Snapchat predator jailed for sex act with girl
The 46-year-old added the teen on social media and said he wanted to be her 'sugar daddy'.
He was an 83-year-old Justice of the Peace - he laundered $500k for meth ring
Herbert Armitage was a JP and a keen bowler - he was laundering money on the side.
Thieves cut hole in gun club's safe, climb inside and steal rifles, cash and ammo
The whereabouts of some of the stolen guns remains unknown.
'Sophisticated and intelligent criminal' gets law degree while on electronic bail
Mason Helm put GPS trackers on Ford utes, cloned their keys, then stole them.
'He's a hero': Stabbing victim was just days from graduating as chef
Bailey Ecclestone, 22, said he never wanted to hurt anyone that fateful night.
'Degrading': Man drags naked partner outside, pours boiling water over her
Simon Kereopa then told his partner 'you deserve it, and that’s what you get'.
'Dad's gone': Roadworker killed after being struck by speeding truck
Brian Barnes' heartbroken family say their lives have been destroyed by his death.
Woman steals from laundromat after trying out Tiktok trick
Tira Tipene will now pay back the $390 she stole at $20 per week.
Man dragged 30m by car after woman dupes him in Facebook Marketplace deal
Lian Hunia had no intention of handing over any money for the iPhone the man was selling.
'Facebook scam': Man uses Marketplace to sell fake PlayStation, Xbox
Daniel Johnstone has been sentenced to home detention and ordered to pay reparations.
Prolific burglar goes on crime spree while on parole to pay for drug debt
Jamie Downard was living in Te Awamutu after being granted parole.
‘Houdini’ police escape artist jailed for part in Mongrel Mob meth manufacture
Elijah Waterman organised a truck driver to avoid the Covid-19 Auckland border.
'Dehumanising and degrading:' Man's abuse left woman unable to breastfeed
Adam Thomas Ross' abuse spanned two-and-a-half years.
Migrant's resident visa arrived days after being killed by repeat drink-driver
Jack Halliday had about 10 after-work drinks and then got behind the wheel.
'Why can’t you just love me?': Violent man breaks into woman's home, lays out lingerie
Sonny Paul went on to physically and sexually assault his victim.
Fleeing teen who robbed liquor stores ordered shooting at police, bullet hits patrol car
The bullet hit the bonnet of the pursuing patrol car, leaving officers in shock.