In 1954 Christchurch woman Honorah Parker was murdered while on a walk in the Port Hills.

The culprits? Her daughter Pauline, 15 and best friend Juliet Hulme, 16.

With “animal ferocity” they hit her over and over again with a brick inside a stocking. Police would later say the 46-year-old had been “battered to pieces”.

After a controversial trial, the teens were found guilty of murder - a jury rejecting their claims of insanity.

In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask looks back at the crime, the trial, the aftermath and speaks exclusively to Juliet Hulme's brother about why he wants the convictions amended to reflect his sister's lifetime of insanity.

This episode is accompanied by a full feature about the case - click here to read the story.

This episode references Canterbury crime author Peter Graham's book about the case, So Brilliantly Clever, the documentary Anne Perry Interiors which is available to rent or buy in New Zealand on AppleTV and author Ian Rankin's documentary Evil Thoughts, which aired in 2002 and can be found in part on YouTube.

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior crime and justice journalist for the New Zealand Herald.

It is produced by Leask, NZME audio engineer James Irwin and podcast production manager Ethan Stills.

South Island head of news Kurt Bayer oversaw this project, the voice of Pauline Parker's diary was provided by NewstalkZB reporter Emily Ansell and some of the audio recording was undertaken by NZME video journalist George Heard.

Special thanks to Jonathan Hulme, Nigel Hampton KC and Professor Warren Brookbanks for their insight and in put into this episode.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2011 Dean Richard Mulligan was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Marice McGregor.

Marice was reported missing by her family in April 2010 and it emerged she had not been seen or heard from in the 10 days before they approached police.

For weeks police searched and appealed for information - as did Marice's family.

What happened to Marice? How did she die? And what was her killer's explanation?

In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask - a senior journalist for the NZ Herald - tells the story of Marice McGregor and the callous man who killed her.

To read more on this case click on the links below.

New twist in Marice hunt

Alleged killer's road to court

Mulligan gets life for murder

DO YOU NEED HELP?

If you are being abused - in any way -remember, it’s not your fault.

For help and information contact:

• Women’s Refuge: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shine: 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. 0800 742 584

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Gwaze was tried and acquitted in 2008 and 2012 after the death of his adopted daughter 10-year-old Charlene Makaza.

Charlene was rushed to hospital in a terrible state in January 2007 and died after her little body effectively shut down due to massive infection - doctors and experts unable to do anything to save her. 

Her family - who had moved to New Zealand from Zimbabwe for a better life - were scrutinised by police and the public. 

George Gwaze was then charged with sexually violating and suffocating Charlene to death. 

He maintained his innocence and after a trial - where the Crown argued murder and the defence argued death by HIV-related symptoms  - was found not guilty by a jury.

In an unprecedented move the Crown appealed the acquittal to New Zealand's highest court and won. A retrial was ordered.

This episode of A Moment In Crime I cover Charlenes death, the sad aftermath and the trials. 

This episode refers to child sexual abuse and violence and may be upsetting - it is intended for a mature audience.

If the content raises any issues for you - please see below for a list of help and crisis agencies.

READ MORE:

Acquitted uncle tells his story 

Gwaze relieved by not guilty verdict

Retrial ordered for murder accused

Gwaze trial miscarriage of justice - Solicitor General 

George Gwaze on trial for rape, murder of his niece

Gwaze trial - medical staff feared child had meningitis 

Gwaze trial: police describe detailed scene exam

For more on Felicity Goodyear-Smith and her book The Murder That Wasn't, published in 2015 - visit goodyearsmith.com or click here. 

DO YOU NEED HELP?

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:

Call 0800 044 334
Text 4334
Email support@safetotalk.nz
For more information visit safetotalk.nz

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.