In return for his testimony Ernie* was moved from a cell to motel room, and promised money, relocation and early release from his sentence. His witness protection would become the most intricate covert police operation of its kind in New Zealand history.

*Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identity

Read more stories and see images from Nark on the RNZ website

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any further information on this case, please email nark@rnz.co.nz

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details