Man found guilty of murdering visitor in Christchurch

Friday 31 October 2025 · 7 outlets · 5 reports · updated Sat 1 Nov 2025, 4:00am

In this story High Court

James Arthur Holder has been found guilty of murdering David Bridgwater, who was shot outside a home in Aranui in January 2024. The jury rejected Holder's claim that he acted in self-defence. Police are also investigating whether Holder is a suspect in a cold case involving a missing Marlborough woman.

How they headlined it

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Fri 5:02pm6:13pm8:05pmSat 4am

1. The PressFri 31 Oct 2025, 5:02pm

   Jury finds man guilty of murdering late night visitor to his Christchurch home (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab), Stuff (opens in new tab)

2. RNZFri 31 Oct 2025, 5:36pm

   Christchurch man James Holder found guilty of murdering David Bridgwater (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldFri 31 Oct 2025, 6:13pm

   Christchurch: Jury finds James Arthur Holder guilty of murdering David Bridgwater (opens in new tab)

4. Otago Daily TimesFri 31 Oct 2025, 8:05pm

   Jury rejects self-defence argument in Chch murder trial (opens in new tab)

5. StuffSat 1 Nov 2025, 4:00am

   Convicted murderer revealed as suspect in cold case killing (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab)