The Crewe Murders

The unsolved mystery of who killed Jeanette and Harvey Crewe in their Pukekawa farmhouse in 1970 continues to fascinate. It remains one of the most controversial cases in New Zealand legal history. The murders spawned two trials, two appeals, several books, a royal commission, a film, and - eventually - official findings of police corruption that shocked New Zealanders. It also resulted in a free pardon, the only time the New Zealand government has overruled the courts to set a prisoner free. Combining gripping narrative, detailed research and new insights from key players, this book tells the complete story of the case for the first time.

‘The reporting is meticulous, even forensic — and the subject is just so deeply, enduringly really interesting that it’s hard to tear yourself away from the pages of this most gothic of New Zealand murders’ — Steve Braunias, Newsroom

‘A brilliantly researched and compelling look at one of our most significant unsolved cases, one that also gives readers a fascinating peek into our cultural and legal history’ — Greg Fleming, Kete Books

Kirsty Johnston is an investigative journalist with an interest in inequality, gender and social justice. Her work has helped to change lives, such as the banning of seclusion rooms in primary schools, and the repeal of a law that discriminated against family carers for the disabled. She began her career at the Taranaki Daily News and has worked at Stuff, the Sunday Star-Times and the New Zealand Herald. She was awarded Best Investigation at the national media awards in 2014, Best Crime and Social Issues reporter in 2019, and Reporter of the Year in 2022. She has made two documentaries. She now works for RNZ.

James Hollings is an Associate Professor of journalism at Massey University in Wellington. He is the author of A Moral Truth: 150 Years of Investigative Journalism in New Zealand as well as numerous academic articles on journalism. Before joining Massey, he was a radio and newspaper journalist both in New Zealand and overseas. He has also made two documentaries.

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