NZH Presents - Mr Asia: A Forgotten History Chasing Ghosts podcast

#NZME #NZ Herald #True Crime

26:18

How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…

Chasing Ghosts »
NZH Presents - Mr Asia: A Forgotten History

about a year ago 2:06

MP3•Episode home

In the 1970s, the Mr Asia drug syndicate was one of the largest sellers of heroin in the world. The group began in New Zealand, with two men at its centre: Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark.

As the syndicate spread around the world, for a few years, they were living the high life. And then, they started killing each other.

In the new season of A Forgotten History, from the New Zealand Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions, John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy revisit the lives and crimes of these two men, their associates, and how their actions changed drug culture in New Zealand.

Episodes available now wherever you get your podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 episodes

NZH Presents - Mr Asia: A Forgotten History

Chasing Ghosts

54 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

In the 1970s, the Mr Asia drug syndicate was one of the largest sellers of heroin in the world. The group began in New Zealand, with two men at its centre: Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark.

As the syndicate spread around the world, for a few years, they were living the high life. And then, they started killing each other.

Episodes available now wherever you get your podcasts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 episodes

#NZME #NZ Herald #True Crime

All episodes

1
NZH Presents - Mr Asia: A Forgotten History 2:06

6 weeks ago2:06

2:06

In the 1970s, the Mr Asia drug syndicate was one of the largest sellers of heroin in the world. The group began in New Zealand, with two men at its centre: Marty Johnstone and Terry Clark. As the syndicate spread around the world, for a few years, they were living the high life. And then, they started killing each other. In the new season of A Forgotten History, from the New Zealand Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions, John Daniell and Noelle McCarthy revisit the lives and crimes of these two men, their associates, and how their actions changed drug culture in New Zealand. Episodes available now wherever you get your podcasts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode 5: Unmasking The Puppeteer 1:15:47

23 weeks ago1:15:47

1:15:47

For the first time in 13 years, David Fisher sits down with Natalia Burgess to talk about her catfishing. While he gains new insight into her life, how she operates her false characters, and her reasons for doing it, something's missing. And then an email out of the blue offers the answers he's been waiting for. And one victim of Natalia's catfishing reveals the devastating consequences of having these memories resurface. Suicide and depression help services: If it is an emergency and you or someone else is at risk, call 111. For counselling and support: Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline , or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Youth services: Youthline : Call 0800 376 633 or text 234 What's Up : Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm) Depression helpline : Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7) Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053 For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service. The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts - click here for information Sexual assault support services: If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7: Call 0800 044 334 Text 4334 Email support@safetotalk.nz For more information visit safetotalk.nz If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode 4: Understanding Natalia 57:11

24 weeks ago57:11

57:11

Warning: This episode contains discussion around suicide. In 2011, after outing her for her catfishing, David Fisher sat down with Natalia Burgess for an interview about why she had done what she had. 13 years later, David revisits that interview as he looks for answers as to why she has done what she has, and gets insight from a psychologist on the potential motivations behind her behaviour. Suicide and depression help services: If it is an emergency and you or someone else is at risk, call 111. For counselling and support: Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline , or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Youth services: Youthline : Call 0800 376 633 or text 234 What's Up : Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm) Depression helpline : Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7) Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053 For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service. The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts - click here for information See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode 3: Mothers and Daughters 37:42

25 weeks ago37:42

37:42

While Natalia is best known for catfishing teen boys and young men into relationships, she has also used the photos she has stolen to trick at least two different teenage girls - and their mothers - into believing she is a long-lost member of their family. Today, David finds out their stories and how Natalia came to infiltrate their lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode 2: Sorry's Just A Word 59:32

25 weeks ago59:32

59:32

In 2022, David Fisher receives an email from Crystal Jenner, a New Zealand woman living in Australia. She has approached him as her last hope after six years of trying to find a solution to Natalia stealing her photos. David hears from her, her mother, and a friend who also had had her pictures stolen, one of the men who fell victim to Crystal's face, and a lawyer analyses why Crystal has struggled to get the law to help her. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode 1: The Death of Laura West 48:10

26 weeks ago48:10

48:10

In December 2010, the announcement on Facebook that Laura Jane West has died in a car crash devastates her online friends, and has ramifications in real life for those linked to her and her sisters. Four months later, Herald on Sunday journalist David Fisher investigates a serial catfisher targeting teen boys in Christchurch. In his reporting, David would link these two stories together as he uncovered the extent to which the catfisher had created the world around her characters - a world that, 13 years later, he is still trying to make sense of. Suicide and depression help services: If it is an emergency and you or someone else is at risk, call 111. For counselling and support: Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline , or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Youth services: Youthline : Call 0800 376 633 or text 234 What's Up : Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm) Depression helpline : Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7) Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053 For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service. The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts - click here for information See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Coming Soon: Chasing Ghosts - The Puppeteer 1:01

26 weeks ago1:01

1:01

Season of Chasing Ghosts - The Puppeteer - begins October 1st. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1
NZH Presents - Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial 0:44

35 weeks ago0:44

0:44

On Easter Monday 2021, Paulina Hanna was found dead at the Remuera home she shared with her husband of 30 years, Philip Polkinghorne. For 16 months, her death was treated as “unexplained”. That’s until it emerged Polkinghorne had been charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty in August 2022. From the team behind The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald's daily news podcast, comes Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial. Listen to Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, or in The Front Page podcast feed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode Four: The Saga of Silver Ring 37:49

1 year ago37:49

37:49

Elizabeth Fraser's testimony at the coronial hearing into Donald's death sparks huge interest in Christchurch - but can she be blamed for his death? And how does the success of Donald's horse tie into his murder? Host: Ric Stevens Audio Editor: Alastair Boyes Producers: Ethan Sills and Elizabeth Binning Open Justice is funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund through NZ on Air. If you know more about this case, you can get in touch at ric.stevens@nzme.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode Three: The Widow and the Mistress 30:55

1 year ago30:55

30:55

The spotlight falls on Elizabeth Fraser as the investigation continues, but who was she and why would she want to kill her own husband? And who was the mistress that came between this marriage? Host: Ric Stevens Audio Editor: Alastair Boyes Producers: Ethan Sills and Elizabeth Binning Open Justice is funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund through NZ on Air. If you know more about this case, you can get in touch at ric.stevens@nzme.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode Two: The Murder Commission 32:04

1 year ago32:04

32:04

When Fraser's body is discovered, the murder investigation begins, but as Christchurch police struggle to find his killer, outsiders are brought in - and the suspect list starts to contract. Host: Ric Stevens Audio Editor: Alastair Boyes Producers: Ethan Sills and Elizabeth Binning Open Justice is funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund through NZ on Air. If you know more about this case, you can get in touch at ric.stevens@nzme.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode One: The Death of Donald Fraser 36:00

1 year ago36:00

36:00

On November 16th, 1933, Donald Fraser was shot dead in his bed at the Racecourse Hotel. But who was the controversial publican, and why would anyone want to kill him? Host: Ric Stevens Audio Editor: Alastair Boyes Producers: Ethan Sills and Elizabeth Binning Open Justice is funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund through NZ on Air. If you know more about this case, you can get in touch at ric.stevens@nzme.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Trailer - Murder at the Racecourse Hotel 0:55

1 year ago0:55

0:55

The new series of Chasing Ghosts premieres November 4th. New episodes every Saturday in November See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1
Part Two: Waiting for Answers 53:51

2 years ago53:51

53:51

In the years after Goy's death, an extended police investigation and multiple coronial inquiries looked into the circumstances of her death and the actions of the men on board the boat to try and determine what happened. Eight years on, are Goy's friends and family any closer to the answers they want? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Part One: The Day of the Dive 41:05

2 years ago41:05