Episodes 27
Avg. Duration 38m
Activity Sporadic
Apple Rating 4.2 (58)
Since Mar 2023
Latest Episode Mar 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Serial
Hosting
feeds.megaphone.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Stuff Audio, New Zealand’s award-winning leader in true crime podcasts, presents The Trial. Stuff’s expert journalists spend weeks at High Court hearings and pore over hundreds of hours of recordings to deliver compelling and in-depth insights into some of New Zealand’s most intriguing cases - as they happen. NEW: Season 2 - Police are called to the multi-million dollar Auckland home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna. A year and a half later, her husband, eye surgeon Philip John Polkinghorne is charged with murder, a charge he denies. Presented by Philippa Tolley. Season 1 - In 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared. No body, crime scene or weapon were found. So how could his longtime friend, David Benbow, be arrested and charged with murder? Presented by Michael Wright. Sound design/audio editing: Connor Scott; executive producer: Chris Reed WARNING: This show talks about suicide and content that may upset some people. If you need help, text or call 1737, 24 hours. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this podcast. For an ad-free experience and early access to new episodes subscribe to Stuff Extra. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify, or go to listen.stuff.co.nz/extra to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one.

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Recent Episodes

Trailer: Quarantine Nation

Mar 03, 2026 3m Trailer

A lethal virus. A drastic lockdown. A nation turned upside down.  From the makers of acclaimed podcasts The Commune, True Story and Witi Underwater, this eight-part narrative series revisits the…

S2 Introducing: The Artful Dodger

Jan 11, 2025 0m Bonus

James Wallace was once the most revered philanthropist in the New Zealand arts community. His world started crumbling when a young man accused him of sexual assault. After a six-year legal battle -…

S2 Polkinghorne Bonus: Sentenced on drug charges

Nov 01, 2024 10m Bonus

In the final chapter of the trial of Philip Polkinghorne, the former Auckland eye surgeon found not guilty of murdering his wife, he has been sentenced to 150 hours of community work for drug…

S2E13 Polkinghorne E13: The Verdict

Sep 27, 2024 25m

After nearly two months and more than 80 witnesses, the jury returns with their finding in the murder trial of Philip Polkinghorne.WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and…

S2E12 Polkinghorne E12: The closing arguments - murder or suicide?

Sep 25, 2024 1h

The defence and the prosecution present their final arguments after nearly two months of evidence. The Judge delivers a summing up and gives the jury directions before they retire to consider a…

S2E11 Polkinghorne E11: ‘I'm never good enough’

Sep 23, 2024 50m

For the first time, the court hears emails, found by the defence, that Pauline Hanna wrote to herself. Psychiatrists talk about the possible impact of the mix of medication she was taking. IT experts…

S2E10 Polkinghorne E10: Injuries and interpretations

Sep 20, 2024 48m

Expert defence pathologists offer different conclusions about the cause of death to their Crown counterparts. Colleagues at Auckland Eye describe Polkinghorne as kind and generous. And we hear from…

S2E9 Polkinghorne E9: ‘There was no murder’

Sep 16, 2024 31m

As the defence case begins, Polkinghorne’s lawyer describes the police as being “intoxicated” with the idea of murder, and cautions the jury against being distracted by evidence about sex and drugs.…

S2E8 Polkinghorne E8: ‘I haven't come this far to walk away’

Sep 11, 2024 1h 1m

Details of Philip Polkinghorne’s relationships with wife Pauline Hanna and Sydney-based sex worker Madison Ashton emerge when police scrutinise their digital devices. Among their discoveries,…

S2E7 Polkinghorne E7: ‘Some things are going to come out’

Sep 09, 2024 33m

As the Crown case nears its end, a close friend and colleague alleges Polkinghorne made sex and meth admissions that “shocked” her. There are questions about tensions in the operating theatre,…

S2E6 Polkinghorne E6: The disappearing mark

Aug 30, 2024 41m

Two pathologists face detailed questions about the significance of a mark on Pauline Hanna’s neck, with one asked why they didn’t mention it in their autopsy report. The court hears more about…

S2E5 Polkinghorne E5: ‘He wants to have sex with everybody’

Aug 27, 2024 52m

In a recording played to the jury, Pauline Hanna talks about the state of her marriage to eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne and their sex life. Close friends recall her sharing an alleged strangulation…

S2E4 Polkinghorne E4: ‘She’s never hit me, I’ve never hit her’

Aug 21, 2024 39m

The jury hears Polkinghorne for the first time as the prosecution plays his police interview from the day his wife died. While answering questions about his marriage to Pauline Hanna and her state of…

S2E3 Polkinghorne E3: An unprecedented search

Aug 16, 2024 37m

With Philip Polkinghorne being interviewed at the police station, detectives decide to step up their search of his house. Amid tests for fingerprints, DNA and blood - a hunt dubbed unprecedented by…

S2E2 Polkinghorne E2: Code 1C for suspicious

Aug 10, 2024 30m

As detectives comb the home of Philip Polkinghorne and Pauline Hanna, questions quickly emerge about the rope involved in her death. The jury hears Polkinghorne’s summary of his wife’s final day…

S2E1 Polkinghorne E1: 'My wife's dead'

Aug 01, 2024 29m

On Easter Monday 2021, police were called to the home of a successful professional couple in the affluent Auckland suburb of Remuera. They found the body of Pauline Hanna.In his emergency call, her…

S2 Polkinghorne trailer

Jul 26, 2024 1m Trailer

Police are called to the multi-million dollar home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna, also known as Pauline Polkinghorne. A year and a half later, eye surgeon Philip John…

S1E10 Benbow Bonus 2: Benbow's new legal battle

Mar 25, 2024 0m Bonus

There’s another twist in this trial. Stay subscribed to hear the latest developments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1E9 Benbow Bonus 1: 'I despise you' - the victims speak

Mar 06, 2024 11m Bonus

Almost seven years after murdering his mate Michael McGrath, David Benbow is sentenced for his crime. But not before facing McGrath's loved ones in court, including the third person in the love…

S1E8 Benbow E8: Resolution

Oct 13, 2023 23m

After months of evidence from dozens of witnesses across two trials, the jury returns - with a verdict. Michael McGrath's family reacts and Martin Van Beynen offers expert analysis - including what…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Trial have?

The Trial has published 27 episodes since March 2023, covering topics in Documentary, News.

Is The Trial still active?

The Trial is currently sporadic with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 38m.

How do I contact The Trial for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The Trial, including email and social media links.

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