Articles by Shannon Pitman
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National
'I was terrified': Teacher's desperate battle to try and save students on deadly caving trip
Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 12:59pmKarnin Petera, 15, died while on a caving excursion with Whangārei Boys’ High. Northland was under a severe heavy rain warning...
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National
‘I carry Karnin’s death with me’: Emotional staff evidence at Abbey Caves inquest
Friday, 1 May 2026, 6:49pmBefore anyone stepped into Abbey Caves on the morning a school was due to visit, the danger was already building – in the...
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National
'We trusted our son would be safe’: Parents tell inquest into Abbey Caves teen death
Thursday, 30 April 2026, 1:55pmThree years ago, Karnin “Tino” Petera drowned in floodwaters after he was trapped during a school caving trip. Now, his whānau...
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National
Roadside argument: Man shot younger brother then rolled his body down a bank
Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 2:06pmA roadside argument between two brothers quickly escalated into violence as one shot the other at close range and then dragged...
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National
'Entirely inadequate': Woman dies of sepsis after deteriorating for three days in hospital
Monday, 30 March 2026, 2:39pmA family has described watching their loved one deteriorate over three days while in hospital, before dying during a transfer,...
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Crime
'I reached, she reached, I won': Murder-accused gives new account of ex's stabbing
Thursday, 26 February 2026, 8:37pmThe mood in a courtroom shifted as a man accused of murdering his ex-partner took the stand and doubled down on a narrative...
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Crime
Murder-accused's mother begged police for help as her son's paranoia spiralled
Thursday, 19 February 2026, 3:28pmWARNING: This article discusses violence and may be upsetting to some readers. The mother of a man accused of murdering his...
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National
Self-described 'Germaori' continues fight to halt research into archaeological waka
Sunday, 15 February 2026, 3:57pmA self‑described “Germaori” has returned to court, insisting the Chatham Islands waka – and even the term Māori – has been...
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National
'Upward bullying': Female police inspector awarded $15k amid 'boys' club' culture claims
Thursday, 29 January 2026, 9:07amA culture long whispered about as the Northland Criminal Investigation Branch “boys’ club” has now cost the police $15,000...
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Crime
Children claim they were 'denied food, beaten and abandoned' by Oranga Tamariki caregivers
Tuesday, 20 January 2026, 8:42pmWARNING: This article discusses allegations of child abuse and may be upsetting to some readers. Allegations that two children...
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National
Man charged with alleged assault of former media exec appears in court
Monday, 19 January 2026, 3:12pmA man charged with the alleged assault of Whananāki store owner and former media executive Dallas Gurney has appeared in...
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National
'It's a miracle no one was killed': Victim of brutal dog attack speaks out
Tuesday, 30 December 2025, 10:50amWARNING: Graphic image of dog bite in story. A brutal dog mauling that left three people injured was not an isolated event,...
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News
'This is non-negotiable': Minister clashes with health officials over youth suicide deaths
Sunday, 21 December 2025, 10:35amWARNING: This article discusses suicide and may be upsetting to some readers. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has overruled...
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National
'Our children were failed': Six young lives lost expose deep flaws in suicide response
Thursday, 18 December 2025, 7:20amWARNING: This article discusses suicide and may be upsetting to some readers. Six rangatahi (youth) who never knew each...
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Crime
'Pure acts of evil': Two victims face their abuser after years of repeated sexual abuse
Thursday, 11 December 2025, 8:45pmWARNING: This article discusses child sexual abuse and may be upsetting to some readers. For almost 50 years, a paedophile...
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Crime
Woman hacked ex's social media and created fake dating profile for his mum
Tuesday, 9 December 2025, 5:10pmConsumed by the fury of a broken relationship, a woman unleashed digital revenge leaking her former partner and his family’s...
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National
'People are visibly on edge:' Dogs mauled woman in front yard attack
Saturday, 6 December 2025, 2:04pmA woman enjoying the sunshine ended up being flown to hospital after four dogs set upon her, attacking her arms and legs. Then,...
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National
Man banned from taking seafood for 3 years after misusing his customary rights
Saturday, 29 November 2025, 11:30amA man has been handed a three-year ban on collecting seafood after being caught extending his customary authority to issue...
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Crime
A secret sex offender said he was 'proud of his life', sparking a victim to break her silence
Sunday, 23 November 2025, 3:41pmWARNING: This article discusses sexual abuse and may upset some readers. It was not the sexual violence or years of trauma...
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Crime
Rugby player accused of sexual violation claims teammate told him the woman was keen
Thursday, 6 November 2025, 8:52pmWARNING: This article discusses allegations of sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers. Two men who were once...
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Crime
‘We on’: Rugby players accused of orchestrating unconsented sex with woman
Tuesday, 4 November 2025, 8:59pmWARNING: This article discusses allegations of sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers. Two rugby players who...
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Crime
Judge gives teen kidnapper huge discount saying ‘17-year-olds don’t deserve to be in jail'
Tuesday, 14 October 2025, 10:09amA driver lost on Christmas Eve thought he’d found help when a stranger stopped to check on him but the roadside encounter...
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National
Girl in lap belt died after mum briefly took her eyes off the road in 'highly preventable tragedy'
Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 7:16amA girl restrained with a lap belt instead of being in a car seat died when her mother crashed the car after briefly taking...
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Crime
Firearm pointed at motorist leads police to discover 20kg of cannabis chocolates, drug operation
Friday, 3 October 2025, 4:09pmPolice made a sweet discovery when they followed up on a road incident that involved a driver pointing an air rifle at a...
