Francesca Rudkin: Do we really need a docu-series about the Polkinghorne case?

Over the past 9 weeks, the media and many in the country have been fixated on a court case that took place in Auckland.

I am, of course, talking about the trial of Philip Polkinghorne, a wealthy, retired eye surgeon with a desire for methamphetamine, sex workers and quirky socks, who was accused of murdering his wife Pauline Hanna. He was found not guilty on Monday. 

The court case is over, thank goodness. I understand the media and public interest in this case due to its unique and scandalous nature – but I wish there had been less salivating. A woman is dead. Her personal life has been forensically picked apart, discussed and judged. Sometimes respectfully. Often not. The defence couldn’t even call her by the name she went by – Pauline Hanna – referring to her as Mrs Polkinghorne.

And now it’s all going to be re-hashed in a three part documentary series, funded by New Zealand on Air and screening at some point on ThreeNow. 

I don’t know what this documentary series will deliver or reveal, or who it will feature; but I hope it’s doing more than just capitalising on a trial because it captured the nation’s attention. 

True crime is a fascinating genre, whether it’s a podcast, a documentary or a book. We’re endlessly intrigued about what drives people to do bad things, and how they’re treated by the law and justice system. 

But there is also a fine line between examining the facts and revealing something meaningful, and preying on a victim’s tragedy for entertainment’s sake. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin
from News talksedb SO.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
Over the past nine weeks, the media and many in
the country have been fixated on a court case taking
place in Auckland. I am, of course, talking about the
trial of Philip Polkinghorn, a wealthy retired eye surgeon with
a desire for methanphetamine, sex workers and quirky socks, who
was accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hannah. He was
found not guilty on Monday. The court case is over,

(00:35):
Thank goodness. I understand the media and public interest in
this case due to its unique and scandalous nature, but
I wish they'd been less salivating over it. A woman
is dead, her personal life has been forensically picked apart,
discussed and judged, sometimes respectfully, often not. The defense couldn't
even call her by the name she went by, Pauline Hannah,

(00:57):
referring to her as Missus Polkinghorn. And now it's all
going to be rehashed in a three part documentary series
funded by New Zealand on aeron SSC at some point
on three Now I don't know what this documentary series
will deliver or reveal, or who it will feature, but
I hope it is doing more than just capitalizing on
a trial because it captured the nation's attention. True crime

(01:21):
is a fascinating genre, whether it's a podcast, a documentary,
or a book. We're endlessly intrigued by what drives people
to do bad things and how they're treated by the
law and justice system. But there is a fine line
between examining the facts and revealing something meaningful and preying
on a victim's tragedy for entertainment's sake. I hope there

(01:42):
is no rush to release this documentary series. It needs
to add for the context and reveal more than what
has thoroughly been covered in the media already. There is
still a coronial inquest to come, which will no doubt
add to the conversation. Timing is also an issue. Respect
must be shown to the victim and grieving family and
friends who will still be coming to terms with this verdict.

(02:06):
There is a place for true crime documentaries. They can
be a powerful way to tell cautionary tales in question
our justice system and treatment of victims. The Lie The
Murder of Grace Melane currently screening on Netflix is an
excellent example of this. It's a muss see. The documentary
takes us behind the scenes with footage of the police investigation,

(02:27):
reveals the deluded lies of the accused, examines the way
the victim was represented in court, and demands the end
of the rough sex defense. It is a true crime
story that focuses on the facts, adds context to the story,
and reveals new information through its interviews. Most importantly, it
was made with the blessing of Grace's mother. I hope

(02:48):
Pauline Hannah's family are given the same consideration with this
new documentary series. Regardless of whether you feel justice has
been served or not, Pauline Hannah deserves to rest in peace.

Speaker 1 (03:01):
For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
Lived and News Talks it B from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.