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.
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.
‘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.
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.
The trail of clues that led police to $400k meth stash in wardrobe
Damien Porter was on parole for earlier drug-dealing when 1kg of meth was found in motel.
Why are 1000s of people lying in unmarked graves after dying in State care?
Nearly 40 women died in a fire at Seacliff Hospital. None had a service or marked grave.
‘National disgrace’: NZ’s landmark Abuse in Care inquiry finds 200,000 harmed
The 3000-page report calls for apologies, redress and police investigations.
David Tamihere intending Supreme Court bid as murder convictions upheld: 'I’ll keep at it'
'You've got to grab them by the short and curlies,' a defiant Tamihere says.
'Tell us where to find Heidi': Police challenge David Tamihere as murder convictions upheld
Court of Appeal finds a miscarriage of justice but won't quash his murder conviction.
'Injured mana': Reformed criminal turned drug counsellor sought $700,000 compensation
Paora Sweeney wanted a marae-based apology from the prison manager for 'injury' to mana.
Gang leader with 84 convictions hands over $300,000 of ill-gotten gains
Police had sought $1.6 million which they estimated Pink netted through gang life.
'Very high risk' violent sex offender on the run after cutting off ankle bracelet
Leslie Peter Ross' history includes kidnap, rape and wounding with intent to injure.
'Obsessive': Tinder match put spyware on woman's phone, blackmailed her for sex
When he used her phone to order pizza, he took the chance to download the spy app.
Meth-using killer fails in appeal against murder conviction
Moetū Kaitai appealed on three grounds, all relating to the trial judge's summing-up.