Launched 30-01-04
Last update 21-06-08

Read the overwhelming evidence that suggests Rex Haig was wrongly convicted of Murder. rexhaig.com presents the facts behind New Zealand's most controversial conviction.

Latest Updates: Court of Appeal completed. Decision Released: Convicition Quashed..
Latest Media Updates: TVNZ -"Haig case before court of appeal" Stuff "Haig's last ditch appeal" . TV3 . TV3 2

LATEST NEWS:

Rough Justice The Rex Haig Story - Available 9th July in bookstores. - Longacre Press -

‘Rex Haig has always impressed me – before and after I met him – as a fine person, a very strong person. I find it unbearable that we keep imprisoning the wrong people. I want to help put Rex’s story out there so that the system is questioned and, hopefully, improved.’ Rennie Gould

Imagine spending 10 years in prison for a crime you didn’t commit. Rex Haig did just that for the murder of Mark Roderique, a crew member on Haig’s own fishing boat, Antares. The murder conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in August 2006, nearly two years after Rex Haig’s release on parole. Haig’s nephew, David Hogan, who claimed that he saw his uncle kill Mr Roderique, is now regarded by the Court of Appeal as a suspect for the murder, and, by at least one of the three Appeal Court Judges, as an ‘utterly unreliable’ witness.

Rex Haig never gave up fighting against his wrongful conviction. His fight included involvement in a hostage-taking at Paparua Prison, Christchurch in October of 1997. The mediated resolution to that incident led to the government’s commitment to his case being reinvestigated by private investigator, Bryan Rowe and Auckland QC, Kevin Ryan. As a direct result of what Bryan Rowe uncovered, though it took another seven years, the matter finally came back before the Court of Appeal, which quashed the conviction and directed that no retrial take place. The effect of that decision was that Rex Haig was acquitted of this crime.

This is Rex Haig’s story, in his own words, as told to Wellington lawyer Rennie Gould. It’s the story of his time in remand prison, the murder of his chief witness, his trial and subsequent conviction and his struggle in prison to be heard and to be listened to.

Fortunately for Rex, while in prison he had the support of his family, his partner Erin, four prominent QCs and several lawyers, all champions who worked on the outside to free him of this dreadful wrong. Rennie Gould was one of the lawyers who saw a grave injustice.

This is an alarming but fascinating account of one man’s triumph over an unfair and unjust conviction. More information available..

Introduction to the Rex Haig Case

If you are new to the Rex Haig Case read this introduction and summary. Start Here

The Events at Jackson's Bay.

Join us as we attempt to piece together the events at Jacksons Bay, the day Mark Roderique disappeared.

Readers Comments

Have your say and read comments from other readers.

Newspaper Articles

Read the newspaper articles about the case.

Case Timeline

Read the key case moments as they have unfolded over the years.

Witnesses

Learn about the witness statements and their influence on the case.

The Shocking Confessions

Read about the 12 sworn statements that implicate another man for the murder.

The Jury. Did Rex Haig get a fair and impartial trial?

We explore the Jury and why questions remain over the basis of their decision. read more...

Serious Doubt over Haig Conviction

According to the Christchurch Press "The campaign to free convicted murderer Rex Haig raises questions about the quality of our justice system.

In November 1994, Rex Haig was convicted of murder. In a case that will go down in legal history as one of New Zealand's great injustices.

Discover the crucial aspects of the case.

Read the case Introduction and summary and follow the case timeline

Learn about the events at Jacksons Bay

Crown Witness later alleged to have admitted to the murder: "I knocked him off"

Other suspects, who were given immunity and a large Police payout, become key crown witnesses.

Strange behaviour by the jury. Allegations of jury bias at Haig trial.

Public Comments

Bryan Rowe: "There has never been a case like this in New Zealand legal History." ... "I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Rex Haig is completely innocent,"

Bruce Ansley (The Listner) "I think both the Haig and the Ellis convictions were wrong."

Investigate, Sep 03: Rex Haig – is innocent of the murder he was convicted of.

Submit your own comment

Critical Defence Witness Murdered before giving Crucial Evidence

The key defense witness was murdered 72 hours before he would give evidence that could have cleared the name of Rex Haig. Who wanted this key witness silenced and what was the evidence that would remain unspoken in court?

Has the New Zealand Justice System failed Rex Haig?

The second mercy plea to the Governer-General by Christchurch Queen's Counsel Nigel Hampton is based on an outstanding investigation by Bryan Rowe. What they have found raises serious questions about the case but also calls into question, the police, prosecutors and justice officials.

What is the qualilty of our justice system you ask? The more important question must be "what is the quality of the systems that hold it accountable for correcting its mistakes. "

Poll: Is Rex Haig Innocent? Vote in the online poll...

About Rex Haig

What kind of man was Rex Haig? The conviction does not seem to fit the family man with no prior convictions.

Rex Fights for Freedom

Rex has sent thousands of letters from prison in the hope of clearing his name. Only Innocence can compel a man to diligently proclaim injustice for 10 years. "someone's going to buckle - and it's not going to be me." To this day he still writes.

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