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Artwork for The Trial

The Trial

Stuff Audio
Pauline Hanna
Philip John Polkinghorne
Philip Polkinghorne
Methamphetamine
Suicide
Auckland
Domestic Violence
New Zealand
Michael Mcgrath
David Benbow
Forensic Pathology
Polkinghorne Case
Infidelity
Emergency Services
High Court Auckland
Mental Health
Stuff Extra
Police Investigation
Auckland Eye
Murder

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 successf... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes28Founded3 years ago
Categories
DocumentaryTrue CrimeSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Trial

Latest Episodes

James Wallace was once the most revered philanthropist in the New Zealand arts community. His world started crumbling when a young man accused him of sexual assault. After a six-year legal battle - and more victims came forward - Wallace was convicte... more

In the final chapter of the trial of Philip Polkinghorne, the former Auckland eye surgeon found not guilty of murdering his wife, he has been sentenced to 150 hours of community work for drug possession.

The charges of possessing methamphetamine and... more

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

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find t... more

The defence and the prosecution present their final arguments after nearly two months of evidence. The Judge delivers a summing up and gives the jury directions before they retire to consider a verdict.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Host

Philippa Tolley
Host and producer, with roles in presenting and producing the content for the investigative true crime series, utilizing her expertise in journalism.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Absolutely hooked

    Excellent journalism, informative, well presented, exciting - had me hooked!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Woots10
    Australia8 months ago
  • Series 1

    I agree with another reviewer that kiwi podcasters punch above their weight. This is not a review of the podcast (Series 1), which I would say is excellent in terms of the detail and analysis, but just an opinion about the case.

    I feel sorry for Benbow. I hope, Green’s character would be taken into account as a mitigating factor to reduce the sentence. She ought to be in prison herself. She ruined the lives of two men and took away a caring father from his daughters. A horny, dishonest drunkard... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Erbolario2025
    Australia8 months ago
  • Season 2: A class above

    Engrossing from the first 10 seconds

    Classy and respectful journalism

    Well done to all involved. 🙏🏻

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Neddwellyn
    Australiaa year ago
  • Love stuff!

    Great podcast, I’ve enjoyed everything stuff has done. Great storytelling!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lisb8989
    Australiaa year ago
  • A good crime podcast that fails at most important hurdle

    When you do a podcast about live events, it comes with a responsibility to keep up! Here we are deep in evidence and today’s podcast was still on evidence given days ago. Not that important except today verdict was announced and is all over press. Podcast has not yet got to summing up. That is incompetence- don’t try live high profile trail if you cannot resolve timely output. Maybe they thought deliberation would be longer - but jury took a couple of days. . . a couple of days to catch up so po... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    123Jet123
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There are mixed reviews regarding the pacing of the releases, with some wanting more timely updates given the live nature of ongoing trials.
The depth of research and nuanced exploration of the emotional and societal impacts of crime are praised, showcasing a commitment to thoughtful storytelling.
Listeners appreciate the high-quality journalism and detailed storytelling that provides a respectful and engaging look at serious topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#182
New Zealand/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Polkinghorne E3: An unprecedented search
Q: What did Sergeant Ioga find during the search of the Polkinghorne home?
Sergeant Ioga discovered various items, including containers with methamphetamine and evidence of possible blood stains, leading to suspicion about the circumstances of Pauline Hanna's death.
Polkinghorne E4: ‘She’s never hit me, I’ve never hit her’
Q: Did Polkinghorne believe alcohol consumption played a role in their argument?
He suggested that his wife had more wine than he did and while not intoxicated, she may have been emotional.
Polkinghorne E4: ‘She’s never hit me, I’ve never hit her’
Q: What did Polkinghorne say about his wife's state in the lead-up to her death?
He claimed she was doing pretty well overall, though they had a less friendly interaction the night before.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Trial

What is The Trial about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This audio series provides an in-depth examination of high-profile murder trials in New Zealand, focusing on the judicial process and the complexities of crime narratives. Each season concentrates on a specific case, thoroughly exploring the evidence, legal arguments, and emotional insights from all parties involved, including family and legal experts. Notably, the podcast features dramatic real-time coverage of trials, allowing listeners to engage with the unfolding stories as they happen, which enhances their understanding of the legal system and the human experiences intertwined within it. This unique approach to true crime storytelling, with compelling journalism and courtroom drama, is likely to attract listeners interested in current ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Trial?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Trial:

1. A Moment In Crime
2. GUILT
3. Bronwyn
4. True Crime Conversations
5. Australian True Crime

How many episodes of The Trial are there?

The Trial launched 3 years ago and published 28 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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