10 true crime podcasts worth pressing play on

By actor and lawyer Ryan Wolf, Guilt investigates some of New Zealand’s most enduring unsolved criminal cases. It’s currently up to its fifth season, in which Ryan investigates the mysterious murder of Dave Davan, a farmer in rural northern Canterbury, who drank a bottle of wine he found in his mailbox during lockdown in November 2021. Little did he know, the bottle had been laced with a deadly poison, and he passed away a month later. Each season of Guilt investigates a different murder case, so we definitely recommend going back and bingeing the first four as well. The twists and turns of the cases Wolf chooses to cover makes for a thrilling listen.

Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at The New Zealand Herald for more than a decade, and for A Moment in Crime she takes listeners inside some of New Zealand’s most infamous crimes. Leask has covered all kinds of cases from the Christchurch terror attacks to the kidnapping of Baby Kahu in 2002. This is the podcast to get your ears around if you want really know what is going on in your backyard.

Perhaps New Zealand’s most infamous case, Black Hands tells the story of the Bain family murders and explores the case in detail. Written and narrated by journalist Martin van Beynen who also researched and wrote an accompanying book, Beynen explores all the evidence, possible motives and witnesses in an aim to answer the question: Who really did it?

If you’re looking for a completed series you can binge from start to finish, this is the one for you!

In Crimes NZ, kiwi broadcaster Jesse Mulligan chats to everyday New Zealanders about their relationship to a range of different local crimes, such as corrupt cop Michael Blowers’ suspicious acts and how murderer Alan Hall managed to befreed of his convictions due to case flaws. With eight seasons to enjoy, you’re in for a long and wildly fascinating listen.

Season two of The Trial closely follows Philip Polkinghorne’s deeply captivating case. The Auckland ophthalmologist had New Zealand watching his every move last year when he was charged with the murder of his wife, Pauline Hanna. This award-winning podcast provides in-depth and compelling case information that you likely didn’t pick up on or may not have realised at the time, so whether you’re familiar the Polkinghorne trial or not, we certainly recommend this listen.

While hitchhiking on the West Coast on New Year’s Eve in 1969, school teacher Jennifer Beard disappeared. Nearly three weeks later, someone found her body under a bridge outside the township for Haast. Now a Herald investigation has uncovered new evidence that could identify her killer. Listen to how it all plays out in The 50 Year Secret.

This Australian made audio-documentary series has quickly become one of the world’s most popular true crime podcasts. It tells some harrowing stories, but as to who hosts the crime podcast? The person remains anonymous.

Do you find great enjoyment in the free-to-listen episodes? Consider upgrading to a premium account to gain access to extra premium-only content. They’ll be oh-so worth your time.

Hosted by Madeleine Baran, In The Dark is an award-winning investigative-journalism podcast that looks into a new case each year. Since 2016, it has covered a disappearance in Minnesota, investigated Curtis Flowers, who was tried for the same murder six times, took on the Coronavirus pandemic and more. It continues to publish new episodes, so stay alert and keep up to date.

The second season of this 11-part series follows the disappearance of Cleo Cree. Cleo was a young girl from Saskatchewan who someone took from her home by welfare services in the ’70s. She was adopted in the U.S, but then never seen again. Her family suspect she was raped and murdered while trying to hitchhike back home, but are in need of answers. Does the podcast uncover Cleo’s true fate? Listen to find out.

This investigative podcast explores a new cold-case disappearance with each new season. Find out what happened to Georgia beauty queen and high school teacher, Tara Grinstead, young mother Kristal Reisinger, North West Montana woman Ashley Loring HeavyRunner, and Alaska Native Florence Okpealuk. Up and Vanished is an absolute ripper that leaves you questioning everything. It will make you wary of everyone around you if you’re listening on public transport. Just what you want form a true crime podcast, am I right?