15 Jul 2025

Steve Braunias: Inside the Polkinghorne trial

From Nine To Noon, 10:05 am on 15 July 2025
Steve Braunias, author of Polkinghorne: Inside the Trial of the Century.

Steve Braunias, author of Polkinghorne: Inside the Trial of the Century. Photo: supplied

It was a trial that all but dominated the news agenda for two months - former eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne accused of murdering his senior health administrator wife, Pauline Hanna.

It had all the features that grab attention; a high flying, wealthy couple, sex workers and drugs use. Philip Polkinghorne's defence was that his wife committed suicide.

 He was found not guilty of her murder. But what can a book on the trial add to all the wall to wall reporting at the time? 

Herald columnist, Steve Braunias was at the High Court for eight weeks writing a diary of the case. Now his book has been published. He joins Kathryn to talk about the experience of the trial and the individuals involved.

POLKINGHORNE -Inside the trial of the century by Steve Braunias, published by  Allen and Unwin NZ Recommended retail price: $37.99