For the last 25 years, the disappearances of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope has been a constant source of speculation and controversy. 

The two disappeared in the early hours of New Year’s Day, 1998, after accepting an offer to stay aboard a man’s yacht while staying in the Marlborough Sounds.  

Scott Watson was convicted of their murders in 1999. Now, Watson and his supporters hope a return to the Court of Appeal in May could finally set him free. 

Today, broadcaster Paul Henry joins Damien to discuss what has motivated him to campaign for Watson’s case now, a quarter century after Olivia Hope and Ben Smart were lost. 

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

For the last 25 years, the disappearances of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope has been a constant source of speculation and controversy. 
The two disappeared in the early hours of New Year’s Day, 1998, after accepting an offer to stay aboard a man’s yacht while staying in the Marlborough Sounds.  
Scott Watson was convicted of their murders in 1999. Now, Watson and his supporters hope a return to the Court of Appeal in May could finally set him free. 
Today, broadcaster Paul Henry joins Damien to discuss what has motivated him to campaign for Watson’s case now, a quarter century after Olivia Hope and Ben Smart were lost. 
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Damien Venuto Producer: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

Keeping up to date with the news just became a little easier. Available every weekday at 5am, tune in as Chelsea Daniels chats with the journalists and newsmakers, going behind the headlines to break down what you need to know on the biggest stories of the day. 

Keeping up to date with the news just became a little easier. Available every weekday at 5am, tune in as Chelsea Daniels chats with the journalists and newsmakers, going behind the headlines to break down what you need to know on the biggest stories of the day.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

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