David Tamihere seeks large Crown compensation after murder charges dropped

The Crown has chosen not to pursue a retrial of David Tamihere for the 1989 murders of Swedish backpackers Heidi Paakkonen and Urban Höglin, prompting Tamihere to announce plans for a sizable compensation claim. He told reporters he wants a payout comparable to the amounts awarded in earlier wrongful-conviction cases, describing it as "quite huge." Retired judge and King's Counsel Rodney Hansen, who handled the settlements for Teina Pora and Alan Hall, said the claim will first require Tamihere to be found innocent on the balance of probabilities, a lower standard than criminal conviction.

Hansen noted the process can be complex but emphasized its importance for both the individual and public confidence in the justice system. Potential compensation includes $150,000 per year of imprisonment, $100,000 for loss of livelihood, $75,000 for restrictive bail or parole, and possible additional sums for prosecutorial impropriety. The final decision rests with the Cabinet.