Nark

Listen here for a taste of what's to come in RNZ's latest true crime podcast - Nark. The pursuit of justice has never sounded so good.

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any information about this case, send an email to nark@rnz.co.nz

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more de...

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 look...

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/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, espec...

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/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for s...

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/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young...

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 the...

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 identity

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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 identity

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

Special thanks to everyone who...

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/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and...

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 identity

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

Special thanks to every...

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 radio.

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for s...

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/nark

Special 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 ar...

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 website

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzan...

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 identity

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

Special thanks to everyone who ...

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.

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ng...

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.

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

Special 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 ...

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 identity

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

Special thanks to ev...

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 website

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzann...