Double Murder in Christchurch Home: Rodney Fallowfield Pleads Guilty

On the night of October 10, Rodney Fallowfield entered a residential unit on Olliviers Road in Christchurch’s Phillipstown suburb. Armed with a 20 cm bowie-style knife and a smaller folding knife, he confronted occupants Nigel Robinson and Glen Tukaki after suspecting them of slashing his vehicle tyres. Fallowfield stabbed Robinson multiple times, causing fatal internal bleeding, and then repeatedly stabbed Tukaki, whose wounds pierced the heart and diaphragm, also resulting in death at the scene. Two other residents, Shontay French and James Dell, were seriously injured and required hospital treatment.

The New Zealand Herald

Fallowfield, 58, has a lengthy criminal record. In 2021 he was convicted of manslaughter for strangling his wife, Shirley Reedy, at a Te Anau motel. He was denied parole in 2022 but released in 2023 under a six-month supervision order, with the parole board describing him as a “low risk of reoffending.”

The New Zealand Herald

Fallowfield appeared in the Christchurch High Court and entered guilty pleas to two counts of murder, one count of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and one count of wounding with reckless disregard.

Man admits double murder in Christchurch’s Phillipstown

• Date of attack: October 10 (midnight)

The New Zealand Herald

• Fatalities: 2 (Nigel Robinson, Glen Tukaki)

Man admits double murder in Christchurch’s Phillipstown

• Serious injuries: 2 (Shontay French, James Dell)

Man admits double murder in Christchurch’s Phillipstown

• Weapons: 20 cm bowie knife, smaller folding knife

The New Zealand Herald

• Sentencing deadline: 7 April 2027

The New Zealand Herald

Fallowfield is scheduled to be sentenced in the High Court at Christchurch on 7 April 2027.

The New Zealand Herald