Philip Polkinghorne at his sentencing

Philip Polkinghorne sentenced to community work for meth possession

The retired eye surgeon was convicted and discharged for possessing a methamphetamine pipe.

November 1, 2024

3:52

Kael Austin Leona appears in court via video link on October 25

Man in court charged with murder after Auckland bus attack

A woman died after allegedly being stabbed on a bus in Onehunga earlier this week.

October 25, 2024

The transport agency's working urgently to ease the massive backlog.

Ongoing backlog sees Kiwis wait months to sit driving test

The long waits are improving but there's still a way to go.

October 19, 2024

2:12

From top left: Philip Polkinghorne in 1993, Pauline Hanna, Rose Hanna, Ruth Hughes, Bruce Hanna.

Piecing together the impossible puzzle of Pauline Hanna and Philip Polkinghorne

Polkinghorne and Hanna's lives, histories and families were trawled for evidence at his trial. But will we ever truly understand them?

September 24, 2024

Dr Philip Polkinghorne, opthalmologist.

Most of jury don't think Hanna died by suicide, question reveals

They indicated most on the jury do not think there is enough evidence to support Pauline Hanna committing suicide – but some do not think the Crown has given enough evidence to answer whether Polkinghorne murdered his wife.

September 23, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Jury deliberations in Polkinghorne murder trial to resume on Monday

The jury in the Philip Polkinghorne murder trial has been released for the day - and the week after indicating they would not reach a verdict today.

September 19, 2024

Ron Mansfield KC (left) and, Philip Polkinghorne arrive at Auckland High Court.

Polkinghorne's defence on 'the murder the police wrote'

Ron Mansfield told jurors Philip Polkinghorne would have to be "a highly efficient and trained killer" to leave someone dead without any telltale signs.

September 17, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Crown: Polkinghorne had 'intelligence, arrogance' to commit murder

Crown prosecutor Alysha McClintock, who started her closing address yesterday, told jurors the accused was a nasty manipulator.

September 17, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Polkinghorne Crown closing: 'As he blamed her in life, he blames her in death'

The final stages of the Polkinghorne murder trial are under way with Crown prosecutors beginning their closing address to jurors today.

September 16, 2024

The trial, which started in late July, was at the end of the seventh week of evidence.

Polkinghorne trial: Defence evidence finishes

At 12.26pm today, defence lawyer Ron Mansfield told Justice Lang the defence evidence was over.

September 13, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Juror discharged in Polkinghorne murder trial

Justice Lang said it is likely Crown and defence lawyers will give their closing addresses early next week.

September 11, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Polkinghorne emotional in court as Hanna's emails read

The emails to herself, or to family, talked in part about Pauline Hanna's job as a health administrator during the Covid-19 outbreak.

September 10, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Polkinghorne trial: Second defence pathologist gives evidence

A second high-profile pathologist has told the Philip Polkinghorne murder trial he would have ruled the death of Pauline Hanna a suicide — if he was in charge of looking into it.

September 10, 2024

Professor Stephen Cordner.

Polkinghorne trial: No evidence to support strangulation murder - pathologist

Pathologist Professor Stephen Cordner, from Australia, is continuing to give evidence at the High Court in Auckland.

September 6, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Polkinghorne trial: Defence calls experienced pathologist

"Some of what I'm going to talk about is pretty grim," Professor Stephen Cordner said, apologising to jurors.

September 4, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

'Blood' on house stairs was Polkinghorne's — defence expert

Dr Timothy Scanlan's forensic testimony contradicts earlier evidence from ESR that no blood was found at the spot in question.

September 2, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne

Polkinghorne trial: Guest says Hanna's work stress discussed at dinner

Philip Polkinghorne, 71, is accused of killing his wife Pauline Hanna by strangling her and making it look like a suicide at their home at Easter 2021, something he denies.

September 2, 2024

August 2024
Philip Polkinghorne arriving at court with his legal team and family this morning.

Police 'intoxicated' with Polkinghorne's drug use, relationships – defence

"It would have to be a perfect murder," Ron Mansfield said this morning. "Can I suggest it was not?"

August 30, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Crown witness says no 4am 'user interaction' on Hanna’s phone

The witness was called to revisit earlier evidence presented by Polkinghorne's defence that suggested Pauline Hanna's phone was used just hours before she was reported dead.

August 28, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Polkinghorne trial: Defence question officer who analysed accused's phone

Continuing a lengthy and detailed cross examination of the detective, Polkinghorne's lawyer raised internet searches mentioned previously by the Crown.

August 27, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Polkinghorne trial: Messages between accused, escort revealed

Philip Polkinghorne, 71, is accused of murdering Pauline Hanna at their home at Easter 2021.

August 26, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne in court.

Emails sent to escort in days before Hanna's death, court hears

An internet search for escorts was also carried out, Polkinghorne's trial has been told.

August 22, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne in court.

Polkinghorne transferred over $100k to Sydney escort, court hears

Several other bank transfers — all to women — were detailed at the High Court in Auckland.

August 21, 2024

Philip Polkinghorne is on trial in Auckland for the alleged murder of his wife Pauline Hanna. Composite Image: Vinay Ranchhod (Source: 1News/supplied)

Polkinghorne suggested colleague try meth day before Hanna's funeral, court told

Susan Ormonde, a clinical director at Auckland Eye, said she was shocked and not expecting to hear Polkinghorne say he was using methamphetamine.

August 16, 2024

Philip John Polkinghorne is accused of killing Pauline Hanna – a senior figure at the Counties Manukau DHB - in April 2021.

Polkinghorne trial: Pauline Hanna contacted GP about suicidal thoughts

Philip Polkinghorne, 71, is accused of killing his wife in Easter 2021.

August 15, 2024