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PODCAST

Motive: Conviction

In 1991, Peter Ellis was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the sexual abuse of more than a dozen children. What really went on at the Christchurch Civic Creche? Who can you believe?

true crime

All Episodes

00:54:22

Conviction 01 | Peter's Black Penis

Motive: Conviction ·

2026/03/23

Who was Peter Ellis, the childcare worker at the centre of the accusations and how did he come to work there? Meet people with many different connections to what was to become New Zealand's most notorious child sexual abuse case.This series was first released on 29 September 2023.To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the website here.Who was Peter Ellis, the childcare worker at the centre of the accusations and how did he come to work there?To set the scene, we meet

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00:02:18

Introducing: Conviction: The Christchurch Civic...

Motive: Conviction ·

2026/03/22

What really happened at the Christchurch Civic Creche in the late 1980s and early 1990s? Was Peter Ellis wrongly convicted or should we believe the children. Listen to RNZ's new podcast and make up your own mind.To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the website here.In the early 1990's Aotearoa's garden city Christchurch was torn apart by accusations of child sexual abuse at a creche owned by the City Council. The story begins when a four year old boy makes

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00:01:12

Introducing: Motive - RNZ's true crime podcast super...

Motive: Conviction ·

2026/03/19

While it's the end of Nark, it's not the end of RNZ's true crime podcasts - welcome to RNZ's latest super feed called Motive. Dedicated to all things true crime, keep following this podcast feed to get episodes every Tuesday from RNZ's true crime back catalogue, as well as brand new shows as they get released. Listen out for award winning series like Conviction, Gone Fishing, Mr Lyttle Meets Mr Big and more right here in this podcast feed.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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00:58:21

Faith

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/12/02

You've reached the final episode of Nark, but it's far from the end of the story.Mike Wesley-Smith looks at all the pieces uncovered during his investigation, all the bits still missing and discovers the hopes Suzanne Young and Julie Appelgren hold for resolution. Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ websiteSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival

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01:01:53

Fire and Fallout

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/30

For years after the trials of Ross Appelgren, Ernie* had lived a quiet and crime-free life in Australia. But his domestic bliss didn’t last and the fallout resulted in a trans-Tasman diplomatic row. In this episode, Ernie* answers some of Mike’s lingering questions.*Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identityRead more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ websiteSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren

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00:38:49

A Confession

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/27

Five years after the death of Darcy Te Hira, two prison guards are quietly minding their own business when an inmate drops a bombshell. A confession that puts Ross Appelgren’s guilty verdict back in question.See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/narkSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross

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00:58:55

Second Thoughts

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/25

Mike Wesley-Smith puts Ross Appelgren’s claims of innocence under the microscope in this episode. While much of what Mike’s uncovered so far puts question marks over Ross’ guilt, there are bits of the story that point to him being the killer.See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/narkSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.AI was used to

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00:50:06

The Jack Up

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/23

Ernie*, who had been living in Australia while Ross fought for his freedom, is back in court for the retrial. But as you’ll discover, he didn’t exactly come easily. And if you think you know how the story of Ross’ retrial ends – you’re in for a surprise. *Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identitySee images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/narkSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and

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01:08:38

Quashed

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/20

Ross Appelgren’s conviction is quashed, he begins rebuilding his life cementing a new future with his love – Julie. But his trials are not over – literally. In this episode we return to court for Ross’ retrial and hear the gobsmacking story of the inmate who flipped.Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ websiteSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival

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00:54:33

The Petition

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/18

Just as all hope appears gone, Ross Appelgren discovers further information that had been withheld from his defence team. And an unlikely ally appears – one who will become his staunchest supporter.See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/narkSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only

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00:38:49

Escape

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/16

Ross Appelgren takes drastic measures to clear his name. In a nail-biting episode we relive his unsanctioned bid for freedom and his attempt to bring national attention to his case by going live on talkback radioRead more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ websiteSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.If you have any further information on this case,

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00:45:45

Appeal

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/13

While Ross Appelgren is reeling from the murder conviction for a crime he said he didn’t commit, his lawyer launches an appeal. But Ross isn’t prepared to wait and Ernie’s* struggles with his bail conditions – put both men on a crash-course with the law – again. *Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identityRead more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ websiteSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and

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01:01:38

Honour Among Thieves

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/11

Leaks from Mt Eden force police to move on their main suspect for the murder of Darcy Te Hira and Ross Appelgren finds himself in the dock for the crime. This episode you’ll hear what the jury did – and all the bits they didn’t.See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/narkSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.AI was used to recreate the

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00:31:26

Operation Icing

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/09

In return for his testimony Ernie* was moved from a cell to motel room, and promised money, relocation and early release from his sentence. His witness protection would become the most intricate covert police operation of its kind in New Zealand history. *Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identitySee images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/narkSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and

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00:38:29

Blurred Lines

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/06

Ernie’s* journey from suspect to eye-witness is shrouded in secrecy and controversy. We look at how police came to place their entire case on Ernie’s* shoulders. And for the first time, Ernie* himself describes his role in the case against Ross Appelgren, and the terror of being in prison and labelled a Nark. *Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identityRead more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ websiteSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this

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00:49:23

Ross & Ernie

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/04

Let’s properly meet the two main characters in this story. Ross, the accused. A car thief and bank robber who’d spent a third of his life behind bars. And Ernie* the accuser. A fraudster whose arrest culminated in a police chase and with Ernie* dangling off Auckland’s Harbour Bridge. One would end up behind bars while the other became the Crown’s star witness. *Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identitySee images and read more about the series at

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00:41:36

Convict Cluedo

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/11/02

The investigation into the murder of Darcy Te Hira kicks off in earnest, but the police are stymied by the prisoner code of silence and a lack of forensic evidence at the murder scene. That is until a mystery note that leads them to a broken kitchen paddle.See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/narkSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.AI

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00:47:57

Rock Life

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/10/30

Sometimes, where a murder happens can be just as important a factor in its investigation as who did it and why. This episode looks at life behind the bars of Mt Eden. The drugs, violence and the code of silence.See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/narkSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross

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00:49:39

A Kitchen Murder

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/10/28

Darcy Te Hira’s murder in Mt Eden prison is one shrouded in controversy. The only prison guard on duty saw and heard nothing. Initially, Darcy was treated as if he was ill when he had no history of seizures and by the time the alarm was raised, the kitchen had been cleaned. Was there a cover up?See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/narkSpecial thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.And thanks to Ngā Taonga and

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00:42:10

Tony

Motive: Conviction ·

2025/10/27

On 6 January 1985, Tony “Darcy” Te Hira was murdered in Mt Eden Prison. Fellow inmate Ross Appelgren was twice convicted of the killing but maintained his innocence, saying the prosecution case was based on a string of lies from inmates prepared to “nark” in return for money and early release. For decades the case has remained dormant. But now, an unheard appeal is being resurrected and two women who lost the men they love are looking for answers.See images and read more about the series at

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