Crown to appeal sentences in paua case

The Crown will appeal sentences of community work given to Maori activist Te Kaha and another man for their parts in a black market paua ring.

Te Kaha was sentenced to 320 hours of community service by Judge Charles Blackie in Manukau District Court on January 27, along with his nephew Trent John Karaitiana, who was sentenced to 350 hours.

Ministry of Fisheries national compliance manager Steve Stuart today confirmed the solicitor-general had consented to an appeal, on the grounds the sentences were manifestly inadequate.

Those convicted of commercial poaching offences faced a maximum penalty of $250,000 in fines and five years in jail, Mr Stuart said in a statement.

Appeal papers had been filed and the ministry would not be making any further comment pending a hearing.

Te Kaha and Karaitiana admitted charges of conspiring to defraud the New Zealand public after more about 100kg of paua was sold to an undercover fisheries officer in 2003.

The paua had been taken from either the Marlborough Sounds or Kaikoura, the prosecution said.

In 1997, Te Kaha achieved notoriety for stealing a Colin McCahon painting from the Aniwaniwa conservation centre at Lake Waikaremoana.

The painting was later returned and Te Kaha was sentenced to community work.

- NZPA