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The Trial

Stuff Audio

Stuff Audio, New Zealand’s award-winning leader in true crime podcasts, presents The Trial. Stuff’s expert journalists spend weeks at High Court hearings and pore over hundreds of hours of recordings to deliver compelling and in-depth insights into some of New Zealand’s most intriguing cases - as they happen.

NEW: Season 2 - Police are called to the multi-million dollar Auckland home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna. A year and a half later, her husband, eye surgeon Philip John Polkinghorne is charged with murder, a charge he denies. Presented by Philippa Tolley.

Season 1 - In 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared. No body, crime scene or weapon were found. So how could his longtime friend, David Benbow, be arrested and charged with murder? Presented by Michael Wright.

Sound design/audio editing: Connor Scott; executive producer: Chris Reed

WARNING: This show talks about suicide and content that may upset some people. If you need help, text or call 1737, 24 hours.

Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this podcast. For an ad-free experience and early access to new episodes subscribe to Stuff Extra. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify, or go to listen.stuff.co.nz/extra to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 31 min
  • English
  • March 3 · 3 min

    Trailer: Quarantine Nation

    A lethal virus. A drastic lockdown. A nation turned upside down. From the makers of acclaimed podcasts The Commune, True Story and Witi Underwater, this eight-part narrative series revisits the Covid-19 pandemic with the benefit of hindsight and powerful interviews. Adam Dudding and Eugene Bingham delve into what really happened – and what it taught us about ourselves. Subscribe to "Quarantine Nation" wherever you get your podcasts, or follow the links here: ⁠Quarantine Nation Player Links⁠, Made with the support of NZ on Air for Stuff by Te Pūrongo Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S2 · E13
    Sep 27, 2024 · 25 min

    Polkinghorne E13: The Verdict

    After nearly two months and more than 80 witnesses, the jury returns with their finding in the murder trial of Philip Polkinghorne.

  • S2 · E9
    Sep 16, 2024 · 31 min

    Polkinghorne E9: ‘There was no murder’

    As the defence case begins, Polkinghorne’s lawyer describes the police as being “intoxicated” with the idea of murder, and cautions the jury against being distracted by evidence about sex and drugs. Pauline Hanna’s sister says Hanna told her of a suicide attempt more than 30 years ago and Polkinghorne’s ex-wife takes the stand.

  • S2 · E6
    Aug 30, 2024 · 41 min

    Polkinghorne E6: The disappearing mark

    Two pathologists face detailed questions about the significance of a mark on Pauline Hanna’s neck, with one asked why they didn’t mention it in their autopsy report.

  • S2 · E3
    Aug 16, 2024 · 37 min

    Polkinghorne E3: An unprecedented search

    Amid tests for fingerprints, DNA and blood - a hunt dubbed unprecedented by the sergeant in charge of the scene - officers make a series of discoveries that shape the investigation.

  • S2 · E2
    Aug 10, 2024 · 30 min

    Polkinghorne E2: Code 1C for suspicious

    As detectives comb the home of Philip Polkinghorne and Pauline Hanna, questions quickly emerge about the rope involved in her death.

  • S2 · E1
    Aug 1, 2024 · 29 min

    Polkinghorne E1: 'My wife's dead'

    On Easter Monday 2021, police were called to the home of a successful professional couple in the affluent Auckland suburb of Remuera. They found the body of Pauline Hanna.

  • Jul 26, 2024 · 1 min

    Polkinghorne trailer

    Police are called to the multi-million dollar home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna, also known as Pauline Polkinghorne. A year and a half later, eye surgeon Philip John Polkinghorne is charged with murdering his wife, a charge he denies. The Trial, season 2, available soon wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple or Spotify to be the first to hear new episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E8
    Oct 13, 2023 · 23 min

    Benbow E8: Resolution

    After months of evidence from dozens of witnesses across two trials, the jury returns - with a verdict.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes