Polkinghorne: Inside the Trial of the Century

by Steve Braunias

A remarkable account of the trial that gripped New Zealand by one of New Zealand's finest writers

In Polkinghorne, literary journalist Steve Braunias takes readers on an extraordinary and often chilling journey through the most high-profile murder case in modern New Zealand history. With unparalleled access to the key players, Braunias offers readers his unique insight into the investigation, the trial and the astonishing revelations that kept the New Zealand public utterly transfixed.

The death of Pauline Hanna in her home in Remuera, and the arrest of her husband, eye surgeon Dr Philip Polkinghorne, led to an epic trial that played out like a scandalous exposé of rich Auckland life. Braunias pieces it all together and presents it as an unforgettable opera - including an extraordinary encounter that will leave readers stunned.

Fascinating, engrossing, and filled with unforeseen turns, Polkinghorne goes deep inside the courtroom case that shocked a nation and explores the lusts and torments that we try to conceal. This is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts and anyone who has followed the case and wondered about the truth behind the headlines.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Biography, Crime

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2025

About the author

Steven Carl Braunias (born in New Zealand, to an Austrian immigrant father and a New Zealand-born mother) is a New Zealand author, columnist, journalist and editor.

extract from Wikipedia bio

Reviews

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s always great to read Braunias on the one hand, best writer we have in some ways. But in an account that wants to play some devil’s advocate-like table tennis, it’s just a shame that the women in the book are described by their hairstyles, waist sizes, amount of makeup they use, gym routines, how their clothes fit, and words like ‘waif’ are used. The men are just the men. I found that strange, outmoded, and a little desperate-to-be-edgy or something; possibly just a wind-up too, hoping for a comment like this. That seems a shame. The best of the content in the book would be strong enough on its own.

[Olivia Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is some of the best non-fiction I've consumed in ages. Steve Braunias captures what captured New Zealand about this case, and zooms out to assess why it did so. No one is safe from his acerbic takes, including New Zealand society at large, but my favourite descriptor was of Polkinghorne as a "sex goblin."

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

The trial that captivated the nation, and my imagination. Really interesting to read this New Zealand crime story alongside the Mushroom Tapes. Braunias captures Nee Zealand society SO WELL in this book. It’s at times so well captured it’s cringey, but on every page he is doing so much more than unpicking this crime and these people. Incredibly compelling reading.

[Courtney (cbbookss)]

I want to read this, but based on the first few pages, the author is treating this tragic case like some salacious celebrity gossip, and it has honestly put me off entirely

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty and caustic in equal measures. With almost every sentence feeling very "written", you can kind of imagine Braunias sitting there gleefully tittering to himself as he goes. If you kept up with the case /podcasts/docos it won't add anything new to your life, but if you like reading a nice turn of phrase it'll get you going.

[Kath Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The trial (and tribulations) of Dr Philip Polkinghorne - charged with the murder of his wife Pauline Hanna in August 2022 - was never going to be treated to a tidy, linear account by Steve Braunias, well-known and feted for the distinctive way he shapes and styles his writing: sensitive and blunt, lyrical and mundane, funny and deadly serious, mischievous and blameless, amiable and name-calling. The facts are there but, so too, are impressions. It's the impressionistic style that lingers.

Polkinghorne - Polky to Rings Beach friends where the couple enjoyed 'a five-bedroom summer house'- was an eye surgeon, increasing his sizeable income by establishing Auckland Eye (clinic) married to his second wife, Pauline who worked in a leading role at Counties Manukau Health Board and was heavily involved in the Covid-19 roll out. Responsible, stressful jobs cushioned by their 3 cats and their (curiously sterile, according to media photos) Remuera home with 'the lovely view of the golden pond of Orakei Basin' from where Polkinghorne made the 111 call: 'My wife's dead. She hung herself.' However, in the next 6 months many cats were let out of the bag; cue: the unexpected expose of sex, drugs and the rocky horror show of a marriage......it took the country by storm.

Polkinghorne's trial opened on on July 29 and he was declared not guilty some 2 months later. Braunias observed, monitored and reported on the 'epic, shockalicious trial....like none before in our island history' as he had so many trials previously. Indeed, the author missed the opening day of Polkinghorne's defence to appear at the Christchurch Word literary festival where he was interviewed about his (then) latest book, 'The Survivors', 'the final book in my trilogy of true-crime narratives' which, of course, it wasn't.

Braunias's observations of major and minor players are deft, sometimes languid and always entertaining:

* 'Justice Lang - who began the trial with a rocker's wild hair, got it cut, and ended the trial six weeks later with his silver hair once again gone everywhere'

* Ron Mansfield KC, representing Polkinghorne: 'His restless energy and high-strung nerves formed a kind of cone of tension around him in the courtroom..'

* Mansfield again: 'a street fighter with an awful honking voice straight out of the Canterbury flatlands of his hometown ...he wore too-tight suits and an amusing cap on his shaved head. With pale eyes, remote behind thick glasses, and little teeth that tore at the flesh of Gala apples every day in court...'

* Brian Dickey, Crown solicitor: he 'sloped into court like he'd just come in off a farm or fishing boat, chucked on a suit, and not had time to brush his hair. He wore an old raincoat'

* A trial follower: 'There was also a strange woman who kept to herself. She wore black skirts, black tights, Doc Martens and a backpack; she looked as though she were on her way to work'

* Madison: 'Only Madison Ashton looks like Madison Ashton. Even though there was something generic about her cosmetic maximisations- everything large, blown up - she had a natural and touching prettiness to her features. She wore leather pants and a tight blue top. Her nails were painted gold.'

And then there's Polkinghorne:

* Polkinghorne in court: '...he still had an extraordinariness about him. He had beautiful blue eyes and a mischievous smile. He looked like - okay all bald men look alike, and all short men are replicants - Dave Dobbyn. He was tiny, a furry little mouse, but without any mousiness; he took his place in the world with confidence'

* Aside from the defence and Crown's depiction of Polkinghorne '...there was the actual Polkinghorne .....his resting face set in an unfortunate expression of a dimwit, with his lower lip sticking out above a quite absent chin..'

* To his trainer, Polkinghorne texted: 'Hi, Barry. I am on fire. Intend to break every record...' According to Braunias: 'To the Crown, this was evidence of the bang and boost of methamphetamine. Bit it sounds exactly like Polkinghorne in his natural state -the braggart, motivated, up for it, wanting to revel in the performance and endurance of his body.'

* The author even manages a Kerouacian quote from 'On the Road' to describe Polkinghorne: 'the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles'

* And the socks, oh the socks: 'But Polkinghorne dared to wear his wild, wild heart on his feet every single day of his trial, in a never-repeated selection..... He wore his socks on his sleeve. His socks believed in him. His socks put one foot in front of another. His socks talked to him. They spoke in his voice, were chatty and jabbering- he wore circumlocutary socks'

His musings sometimes seem to wander off piste but provide a respite to the drama - both measured and theatrical - of the trial.

* The High Court of Auckland: opposite 'Old Government House, where Elizabeth Windsor stayed the night in 1953, as the newly crowned Queen of England. Ideally located for the application of English law, it's a fort of justice, an old pile of bricks spooked by the cries of the dead.

* 'Every morning of the 4-week Crown case, the hands of the university's filigreed clock were stuck at 12. It felt like an accurate commentary. Showdown at high noon or the chimes of midnight as the Crown's black-clad accusers....directed the slow, steady journey through the wastelands of death in Remuera.'

* '....Orakei Village, where an orange Porsche was leaving just as a white Tesla with the licence plate TOLD YOU was arriving. O garish Auckland!.....everyone hates Auckland, its flash and cash, its good life. Secretly though, they yearn for it'

There's TV programme featuring a protagonist, a consultant detective called Elspeth who dresses eccentrically in over-colourful clothes, bedecks herself with numerous tote bags and sports a winning smile and personality - on the surface unthreatening and hapless to the perpetrator - but, behind that facade there's a lot of smarts going on. Braunias seems to effect a similar, guileless talent: 'I got to quite like Dr Philip Polkinghorne', he remarks. He and 'Phil' chatted constantly. Braunias adds: 'the point of my conversational ingratiations was to size him up. Polkinghorne wasn't the malignant sex dwarf as characterised by the Crown but multi- faceted - liked by his staff, his trainer, his friends at the beach. But, behold, the other side of Pauline's husband ('the love of my life') who could 'put his hands around her neck in a rage and threatened, 'I can do this any time I want.' Polkinghorne may not have murdered his wife but his treatment of her was killing her anyway.

Books about compelling past events, if well told, always have the power to fascinate: 'The Crewe Murders' (Kirsty Johnston and James Hollings) and 'Entitled' (Andrew Lownie) in their methodical, chronicling of events provide a co-ordinated assemblage only seen or heard about in a piecemeal fashion by the public. It's the same with 'Polkinghorne', with Braunias adding his off-beat style to the substance. 5 stars

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating case and Braunias is a wonderful writer managing to be literary, entertaining and empathetic.

[kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most important points :

The Central Conflict: Murder or Suicide

The Death and Investigation: The book revolves around the death of Pauline Hanna on April 5, 2021, which her husband, Dr. Philip Polkinghorne, an eye surgeon, reported as a suicide by hanging. The police, however, quickly suspected foul play and treated the case as a potential homicide, launching the 16-month "Operation Kian".

The Jury's Verdict: After an eight-week trial, the jury's note revealed they did not believe there was enough evidence to support either suicide or murder. Ultimately, they returned a verdict of Not Guilty on the murder and manslaughter charges.

The Post-Death Conduct Allegation: A major, horrifying part of the prosecution's case was the theory that Polkinghorne strangled his wife and then staged her death as a suicide (post-death conduct). This involved moving her body downstairs, placing it on a chair, and using a belt and rope to create the scene.

The Crown pathologist, Dr. Kilak Kesha, suggested a belt impression on Pauline's neck was made after death, supporting the staging theory.

The Defence on Cause of Death (Pathology): The defence refuted the staging theory, particularly through expert pathologists like Professor Stephen Cordner, who stated there was no forensic pathology evidence to support homicide and that the findings fit with a hanging. Another defence pathologist, Christopher Milroy, said the lack of neck injuries was an extremely rare event in homicidal strangling.


Polkinghorne’s "Double Life" (Motive)

Sex Workers and Money: The prosecution presented Polkinghorne's extensive use of sex workers and consumption of drugs as a motive for murder. He spent approximately $296,646.23 on sex workers, primarily Madison Ashton, between 2016 and 2021.

Madison Ashton: Madison Ashton, an Australian sex worker, was painted as Polkinghorne's motive for murder. Polkinghorne was in a long-term, covert relationship with her and was reportedly planning a future with her, including buying a washing machine.

Ashton, who called Polkinghorne a "covert narcissist" and a pathological liar, believed he murdered his wife to be with her. She ultimately did not testify for the prosecution, as she went missing while traveling overseas.

Methamphetamine Use: Polkinghorne pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and a pipe. The Crown implied this P-use contributed to aggression and erratic behavior. The defence dismissed it as merely a "hobby" or party drug.


Polkinghorne’s Character

Contrasting Perceptions: The Crown portrayed Polkinghorne as a "malignant sex dwarf" and a manipulative killer. The defence presented him as a "grieving widower" and an upright member of the community who was simply quirky or "a silly old fool".

Personality and Demeanour: He was described as small, bald, and wore "lurid socks" as a form of protest and self-expression. First responders described him as "composed" and "calm" after his wife's death, which the Crown suggested was suspicious. His police interview was described as an "epic rave", incoherent and manic, leading to speculation of drug influence.

Good Qualities: Witnesses attested to his professionalism, intelligence, generosity to patients (often forgoing fees), and dry sense of humor, with some calling him a "good guy" and a brilliant surgeon.


Pauline Hanna’s Life and Marriage

Vulnerability and Self-Image: Pauline Hanna was a successful professional in her early sixties. She presented as immaculately dressed but struggled with low self-esteem, chronic depression, and a pattern of alcohol use mixed with prescription medications (including Prozac and zopiclone).

The Marriage: Pauline believed Polkinghorne was the "love of her life" and her "sole mate". However, the marriage was strained by his sexual demands, his affairs with sex workers (which she reluctantly participated in initially, calling it "revolting" later on), and his violent temper, which she described as him being "on the roof".

The defence argued her use of medication and drinking pushed her to suicide. The prosecution argued Polkinghorne's anger and desire for Madison led him to kill her.


Key Evidence and Testimony

The 111 Call: The recording of Polkinghorne's frantic call to emergency services was played in court, including the crucial observation that he cut his wife down and returned to the phone in about ten seconds, which the Crown highlighted as a possible sign of staging.

The Rope "Tension Test": An early, crucial piece of evidence that led to police suspicion was a detective's "tension test" of the rope on the balustrade, which allegedly "very quickly unravelled". The defence successfully challenged the reliability of this test, noting Polkinghorne had untied and cut the rope as instructed by the 111 operator.

The Longlands Tape: A private recording of Pauline confessing details about her husband's sex life, his anger, and her unhappiness to her family at a dinner party was played in court, confirming the depth of the marriage's troubles.


The Aftermath

Public Opinion: Public and press opinion overwhelmingly believed Polkinghorne was guilty and "got away with murder".

Financial Cost: Polkinghorne's defense lawyer, Ron Mansfield, cost him between two and three million dollars.

Future Inquest: A formal inquest into Pauline Hanna's death is scheduled for August 2026.

Post-Verdict Life: Polkinghorne, who denied the murder to a visitor, continued to live in his house, awaiting the inquest, and suggesting bizarre alternative theories for her death, such as post-vaccine encephalitis

[Barry Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

On 5 April 2021, Pauline Hanna is found dead in the house she shared with her husband, eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne. 16 months later, he is charged with her murder: the Crown theory is that he faked a suicide by hanging. He says she actually did hang herself. Steve Braunias wrote a daily account nearly every day of the 8 week "epic, shockalicious" and "wildly entertaining" trial in the High Court in Auckland. Along the way, he gets to talk to Pauline's family, the police, the lawyers, other journalists, witnesses, the gang of constant trial watchers and Polkinghorne himself. This book is not just the daily reports - it has been reorganised and amplified - but there are traces of its original in the way some things are repeated.

It's no spoiler to say that Polkinghorne was acquitted of murder - it's stated on the second page and was well publicised at the time. Reading this book, it's pretty clear why he was acquitted - the defence scientific evidence of how Pauline died is too compelling and not answered by appropriate evidence. The Crown approach seems to have been to paint him as bad as they can - with evidence of profuse meth use and recourse to $300,000 worth of sex workers (possibly as a way to release anger), with one central claim being that he needed to be rid of his wife so he could take up with one of them (Madison Ashton) permanently. The defence say the police quickly, too quickly, came to the view it was murder and never considered other possibilities but, if that is so, the Police work is quite shoddy as they never put together the necessary proof. Braunias calls their case a "leaking tub" a "raft of straws" and borrows some else's metaphor as appropriate: "someone trying to construct a dinghy out of only liquorice, diamonds and vibes".

Although Braunias comes to "quite like" Polkinghorne, he doesn't hold back in describing him - starting by saying he's "small and enthusiastic, a blue-eyed voodoo doll, a demon of wealth and white privilege". This makes Polkinghorne unlike other murder accused - he is someone Steve can relate to, equally middle class. In his first report from the trial, Steve says Polkinghorne will be portrayed as a "malignant sex dwarf".

As you'd expect, the book more or less follows the progress of the trial, with great descriptions of all personell involved, the Polkinghorne house which they go to on a site visit, the local University which Braunias walks through to get to court. Extra time is given to things Braunias finds exciting, such as the prospect of a "forensic rope analyst". Polkinghorne is interviewed by the Police as a "person of suspect": he "talked, and talked and talked and talked" for nigh on four hours, non-stop. It sounds like an incredible performance, as he raves on about anything that catches his mind, completely comfortable.

There's a very good chapter (4) providing an account of Pauline, as presented to the court and to Braunias through conversations with her family and friends - I get the feeling that if she did suicide, he drove her to it - with his incessant demands, the need to conduct herself in public to reflect his sense of importance, the drugs, the other women. The woman Polkinghorne was supposedly going to leave her for is expected as a witness for the Crown, but is a no show. She and Braunias, however, maintain a correspondence and do meet up when it's all over - these communications are chapers 6 and 10.

The book presents the closing arguments (both sides speak for two days each!) as a night at the opera in three acts, with ruling passions and tragic staging. The last chapter is a bit strange. In an earlier book, Steve has suggested that when journalsts run out of facts, they start perhapsing. In this one, he has a supposed visitor going in to the Polkinghorne house just before he moves out - it's hard to work out what's factual and what's supposition about this visit.

With a tragic death at the heart of the book, there's not a lot of call for humour, but the book is written with wit and empathy, and very enjoyable.

[Monique G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been wanting to read Polkinghorne, inside the trial of the century for some time, so was thrilled to be given a copy for Christmas. Although not exactly a cheerful Christmas read, I could not wait to get stuck into it!
Like most of New Zealand, I had followed the death of Pauline Hanna closely. I watched it on the evening news, then followed the trial on the evening news, the internet feed and of course listened to the podcast! My only conclusion was that it was incredibly sad for all involved. However Pauline’s life had come to an end, it was too soon, her private life was revealed in ways it should never have been, and her actions were picked over, scrutinized and examined, much like vultures tearing at a carcass. I was, however, intrigued by the book - would it reveal anything new?
As I had expected, this was an interesting read. It was written in an almost casual style, with a commentary of both what was happening in court, but also who was in court, either as interested members of the public, or family members and friends. It was interesting to see the author’s interpretation of the events, and how he quite rightly cast aside some of the more sensational aspects of the trial and focused on the more important events.
Overall, this was well worth the read. I would recommend it to those readers that have an interest in true crime. I wouldn’t say that it gave me more knowledge of the case, but it certainly gave an insight into the feeling of the courtroom and the various people involved.

[Rosemary Baird Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read true crime. I’m not into real life murder. What I really enjoyed here was the people watching. The truely subjective observations, asides and reflections of the author. I loved details like descriptions of how the defence lawyer obsessively ate royal gala apples and almonds. This book wasn’t so much about coming up with a judgement but giving an insight into how a court case runs, the emotional peaks and troughs; reversals of opinion; the way different witnesses come across. A sad case so I feel a bit bad how amusing and racy the book was to read.

[Kate Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading Steve Braunis’s way of writing back in the past so I was keen to read this account of a trial that I had seen so much about in different forms and as everyone does, had my own theories about. This book came at a perfect time to help me wrap up the whole sordid event. His humour, his descriptions, and his way of describing what went on in the courtroom and outside the courtroom was great. At the end of the day our justice system has holes and we all know that. And sadly, money talks.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook narrated by Steve. Brilliant, funny, and so very tragic. Polkinghorne being found not guilty was an absolute travesty. Money talks obviously. There is a review of the book stating he focused too much on women's physical appearance, but to be fair, he also focused on the physical characteristics of the various men, and he did it so well! He brought the people to life. Bravo, Mr Braunias.

[Nicole Gibbons · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overrated and not worth your reading time - watch the docuseries or listen to the podcast instead. The book reads like salacious gossip column straight out of Women’s Weekly. The author spent too much time on his attempts at being witty and not enough time writing a balanced piece of literature, though it got marginally more balanced towards the end.

[Helen Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Steve Braunias about a fascinating court case which kept the nation agog
Steve writes with humour and wit and makes insightful observations as the court case unfolds. An engaging read.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine. Braunias is brilliant. I am converted.

I did not care about the Polkinghorne trial as it dominated the headlines, but on a whim decided to pick up this book on the matter. I’m pleased that I did.

[Marg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a weird pleasure to read Braunias. He knows how to nail a sentence. In Polkinghorne he captures the complexities, tragedy and characters of those involved. His observational style is exceptional.

[Sonya Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't followed the Polkinghorne trial in any detail and really enjoyed listening to Steve Braunias' gossipy, quirky and heartfelt storytelling of the trial.

[Amanda (Tholke) Hollenkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 novel way to tell the story of the trial

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say what you like about Braunias, but the man can write a good crime story. Some slightly skewed moments, but overall tracks.

[Katherine Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norman Mailer could never.