Articles by Ric Stevens
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National
Call to ban public from killer coast line after fishermen drown at notorious point
Wednesday, 3 December 2025, 11:21amFilipino flatmates Olson Canatoy and Eric Dabalos had been warned about the dangers of fishing at Papanui Point. They had...
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National
Surgeon misidentified as doctor who botched a woman's spinal surgery
Saturday, 29 November 2025, 3:56pmThe Health and Disability Commissioner has apologised to a Hawke’s Bay surgeon who was wrongly assumed by patients to be...
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National
Auckland woman ordered package from 'Merchant of Death', then took her own life
Tuesday, 25 November 2025, 8:40amThis article deals with the subject of suicide and may be disturbing to some readers. A woman mourning a relationship break-up...
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National
'For two months she did not believe she could escape:' Woman exploited, raped by her boss
Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 4:04pmThis story deals with the subject of sexual exploitation and rape and may be upsetting for some readers. An employer raped...
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National
'You look old enough to have this': Girl vaccinated at school against mother's wishes
Monday, 20 October 2025, 2:13pmAn 11-year-old girl was given a vaccination at school even though her mother ticked a box on a form refusing consent for...
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National
Man drove wrong way across Akl, aimed gun at ex's head: What Parole Board decided
Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 7:08amA man who drove at speed the wrong way down Auckland motorways, then pointed a pistol at his ex while on parole, is considered...
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National
'Heartbroken': Family's pain as phone-using truckie Sarah Schmidt who killed 22yo gets early release
Monday, 13 October 2025, 8:50amThe family of a young man killed when a phone-distracted truckie ran into the back of his work ute say her release after...
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National
'Honest, decent' 20-year-old who drove drunk and killed woman to stay in prison
Monday, 29 September 2025, 8:48pmAn “honest, decent” 20-year-old man will stay in prison after he caused a woman’s death while driving drunk. Tupea Mika is...
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National
Mother sues daughter's school principal over 'defamatory' emails to lawyer
Monday, 29 September 2025, 9:23amA school principal felt that a girl’s father was a loving and “exemplary” parent, but that the mother was denying him his...
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National
Man expected to earn $100k from importing 49kg of meth – he got jail instead
Tuesday, 23 September 2025, 8:11pmA man facing financial difficulties expected a $100,000 payday when he agreed to help import nearly 50kg of methamphetamine. Instead,...
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Crime
‘Dark and evil’: Ri Nikora to serve minimum 12.5 years for murder of Kathleen Kawana
Friday, 19 September 2025, 3:22pmThis article discusses intimate partner violence leading to murder and may be distressing for some people. “How can you be...
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National
'I want to get out': Former Act Party high-flier to stay in prison for sex crimes
Wednesday, 17 September 2025, 7:07amWarning: This article deals with sexual offending and may be upsetting to some people. Former Act Party president Tim Jago...
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National
Man left without the use of his legs after being stabbed in gang home invasion
Thursday, 4 September 2025, 8:39pmA man was left without the use of his legs permanently after five gang associates attacked him in his home and stole his...
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National
'Unsustainable caseloads' in justice system: too few judges, not enough courts
Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 2:16pmThe justice system is under “considerable stress” with too few judges and, in some areas, not enough courtrooms. Chief Justice...
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National
'Adverse outcome': Woman ends up in wheelchair after surgery goes wrong
Monday, 1 September 2025, 4:13pmA woman who underwent surgery to relieve her back pain suffered an injury on the operating table, which left her dependent...
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Crime
Kidnapper told car-jacking victims he'd done time for murder and wanted to kill again
Monday, 1 September 2025, 10:04amTwo young men feared they were going to die when a drug-using gang member they didn’t know kidnapped them in their car from...
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Crime
'Young, naive' woman turned to drug-running after relationship break-up
Sunday, 31 August 2025, 3:50pmAn “immature” and eager-to-please New Zealand woman became a drug courier in Australia as she sought approval from her friends...
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National
'This crash was preventable': Resident repeatedly complained about hoons before fatal crash
Saturday, 23 August 2025, 12:29pmA resident complained to police about vandalism at a Hawke’s Bay intersection more than six months before it contributed...
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National
Family sought help for five days before toddler died in hospital
Monday, 18 August 2025, 2:08pmA family spent five days trying to get adequate treatment for their sick 23-month-old boy before he died in Gisborne Hospital. The...
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National
Private or public school? Education spat sends Hawke's Bay parents to court
Sunday, 17 August 2025, 11:21amPrimary-aged schoolgirl Bree had her heart set on going to a private school. She had visited it with her mother and even...
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National
Police raid reveals dangerous drugs and a home-made taser at dealer's home
Wednesday, 13 August 2025, 8:59pmA man with a long drug dealing history is awaiting another sentence after offering to sell methamphetamine and the dangerous...
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National
'I don’t give a s***': Man won't pay sister $300k; Mum's will written under 'undue influence'
Sunday, 10 August 2025, 2:17pmA man has been ordered to pay back more than $300,000 after a judge said he obtained the money from his elderly mother and...
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National
'Stupid and immature': Hoons' burnouts at intersection contributed to tourist's death
Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 7:13amA friend of a Canadian woman who died after a crash at a vandalised intersection has got a message for the people who damaged...
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National
Man admits to murdering his partner - a crime that was unsolved for five years until his arrest
Friday, 1 August 2025, 10:06amThis story describes family violence and murder and may be distressing to some readers. A homicide unsolved for five years...
