-
The 20/20 team - Source: 20/20
Close to home
They're so common that sometimes they don't even hit the headlines,
but why is murdering a loved one simply seen as a fact of life in
New Zealand? It sounds incredible that in this country, you're
actually safer on the street than you are in your own home. But
last year 41 New Zealanders were killed by a member of their own
family - and for every Kiwi who dies hundreds more are physically,
sexually and emotionally abused.
In an extraordinary first 20/20's Sonya Wilson went out on patrol with the cops trying to keep the peace in our homes - and brings you the incredible stories of the ordinary horror going on in your street every night. And the family of a woman killed by her former partner in an attack a judge labelled one of this country's worst homicides speak out with a story they say that we all need to hear.
Inconceivable scam
When Sarah told her husband she was pregnant with sextuplets
excitement quickly built in the community, and gifts and offers of
help flowed in - some good Samaritans even gave thousands of
dollars. But after announcing the birth there was disappointment
they were denied even a glimpse of the precious babies. That
eventually turned to suspicion - and then Sarah delivered a
bombshell. She'd never been pregnant. But on
20/20 she
reveals it was a phantom condition - complete with an expanding
belly. But are the couple calculating con artists or simply
misunderstood?
Risky business
He's being hailed as a young Sir Edmund Hilary after becoming the
youngest person to ever reach the summit of Mt Everest.
Thirteen-year old Jordan Romero shows
20/20 the exclusive
footage revealing the avalanche that nearly ended his climb - and
his life. But how young is too young? With climbing experts and
parents critical of the decision to allow the teen to take part in
the treacherous climb, Jordan's family come out swinging - telling
20/20 that the really irresponsible parents are the ones
feeding their kids Big Macs.
Rogue rubber
It's a driving hazard that some experts claim can kill, with tyres
that are sold as new actually sitting on shop shelves for years.
Sean Kane, who heads a private safety firm, says that old tyres,
regardless of tread can be dangerous, even deadly. As he says an
old tyre is like a ticking time bomb, with the threat it'll unravel
when you're travelling at high speed.
20/20 goes undercover
to investigate.
PLUS Mystery Shopping - It's an advertisement that seemed the answer to a Masterton woman's prayers. Work as a secret shopper, posing as a customer, making purchases at stores, eating at restaurants and staying at hotels - then just write up a report on the customer service experience so that the businesses can improve. Instead she ended up $9,000 out of pocket - and she's not alone. It's a scam that's being run all over the world. 20/20 confronts a scammer and finds out what you need to know to avoid being taken to the cleaners.
20/20, 9.30pm Thursdays on TV2 - The best of New Zealand and international current affairs, presented by Miriama Kamo with reporters Pete Cronshaw, Beth Bates and Sonya Wilson.
