Why We Can’t Look Away: The Obsession with Crime in New Zealand

“Media tends to focus on novelty or when the victims are young and beautiful or when, in the case of the Polkinghorne case, the lives of wealthy people are laid bare,” journalism lecturer Conan Young.  

Source: Wikimedia Commons.  

In a world fascinated by the darker aspects of humanity, few subjects capture public attention like crime. From binge-worthy documentaries to buzzing social media forums, our obsession with criminal cases runs deep. TikTok feeds overflow with self-proclaimed detectives trying to solve crimes, drawing in followers eager for the latest juicy details and one case with a particular grip over New Zealand is the Polkinghorne murder trial, which has become a focal point of public and media scrutiny. But what psychological urges drive our fascination with crime, and how does the media stroke this intrigue? 

The Polkinghorne Case: A National Sensation 

The Polkinghorne case quickly became one of the most talked-about criminal events in recent New Zealand history. While visiting The New Zealand Herald's Auckland office, I was told they couldn’t believe the traction the court hearing was getting. With three reporters covering the trial for eight weeks, the demand was undeniable. 

Philip Polkinghorne, a well-known eye surgeon, was found not guilty of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna, on September 23, 2024. The trial, which captivated the public, featured shocking claims of Polkinghorne’s drug use and infidelity. The prosecution alleged he strangled Hanna and staged her death as a suicide, while the defense claimed she took her own life due to depression. 

Suspicious online searches, testimonies about Hanna’s awareness of his affairs, and large financial transactions to escorts painted a complex picture. Add in the meth found in his home and office, and it was easy to see why people couldn’t look away. The unravelling of their seemingly perfect Remuera life had Aotearoa hooked. 

Despite compelling evidence, the jury decided there wasn’t enough proof to convict him, further fueling public intrigue. While the case itself was harrowing, the public and media’s reaction to it was just as fascinating, sparking questions about why we are so drawn to these gruesome details. 

Psychologist Marvin Zuckerman has explored our fascination with crime, noting it stems from a complex interplay of fear, curiosity, and the human desire for understanding. He argues people are naturally drawn to the unknown and taboo – crime offers a stark window into both.  

This curiosity can help us cope with our fears. By engaging with stories, we confront the darker aspects of humanity from a safe distance. David Garland explores the interplay between crime and media in his book The Culture of Control, highlighting how sensationalised media coverage shapes public perceptions of crime and influences societal reactions. He argues that the media often amplifies fears surrounding crime, creating a moral panic that can lead to calls for stricter laws and harsher punishments.  

And he’s not wrong. We learn about this a lot in journalism, how sensationalism of crime is dangerous, particularly when crime stories are going up, but the actual real life rates are going down. 

My fantastic lecturer who happens to be a journalist and has been for many years, 

Conan Young, explained crime stories hold a certain allure due to their dramatic narratives. But from a journalism point of view, they’re relatively easy to cover.  

“You can send a single reporter down to court and most days they will send back two or three stories about cases making their way through the courts or that are coming to their conclusion,” Young said. 

Because the reality is for newsrooms, there aren't many other news rounds that have this sort of hit rate in terms of guaranteed stories. But not all crime stories are created equally Young says. 

“Media tends to focus on novelty or when the victims are young and beautiful or when, in the case of the Polkinghorne case, the lives of wealthy people are laid bare.” 

He notes the touch of drama to crime stories as well, which people are always drawn to.  

“Seeing people at their worst is a story as old as Greek tragedy.” 

This statement aches at my morality, but it really is just human nature to be curious about these topics. We can’t help it! I sat at a lunch table with people I’d just met, and talking about journalism immediately steered us down the Polkinghorne pathway.  

One woman said, “gosh it such a horrible story, but I just can’t help but click on it every time.” Which I can imagine, is the reality for many New Zealanders who can’t help but look, especially when it’s flooding their nightly news roll out. 

Though Polkinghorne is currently on the radar, Aotearoa is no stranger to criminal cases taking over society. The Bain family murders, Scott Watson’s conviction in the ‘Sounds murders,’ and the David Tamihere case are just a few of the chilling tales that have sent shockwaves through our communities.  

Each of these cases didn’t just make headlines; they ignited a firestorm of speculation, media frenzy, and intense public fascination. 

Much like the Polkinghorne saga, these stories weave a tapestry of drama that pulls at the very fabric of our society, revealing uncomfortable truths about privilege, class, and morality. They force us to confront our collective psyche, shining a light on how our values and fears play out in the media’s portrayal of crime. I mean, to this day people still ask one another whether they believe David was guilty or not. 30 years on and we still give a shit. 

These cases are not just about the dark acts themselves; they expose the deep-seated anxieties that linger beneath the surface of our seemingly safe society. What happens when the veneer of normalcy shatters?  

We are compelled to grapple with questions of justice, identity, and the reliability of our social systems. And furthermore, this fascination comes at a cost, especially for the families affected by these tragedies. Their lives are put up for display, while they deal with the trauma they have endured for a second or maybe third time. While our curiosity may be rooted in a desire for understanding, we must also consider the human stories behind the headlines and the real-life consequences of our obsession.