King's son convicted on appeal

Korotangi Paki.

The son of the Maori King now has a conviction against his name after the Crown was successful in its High Court appeal.

Korotangi Te Hokinga Mai Douglas Paki, 19, was originally discharged without conviction in the Auckland District Court on charges of burglary, theft and drink-driving, but Justice Mark Woolford overturned that in a ruling released yesterday.

The discharge on the dishonesty offending remained but Paki was convicted for drink-driving.

But he will face no further penalty other than the eight-month driving disqualification previously imposed.

In its appeal, the Crown prosecutor, Mathew Downs, highlighted four errors of law made by Judge Philippa Cunningham, which were accepted by Paki's lawyer, Paul Wicks, QC.

Mr Downs said the district court judge did not place sufficient weight on the fact Paki's dishonesty offending came after the drink-driving - when he was caught more than five times over the youth limit.

He also submitted affidavits were misread and the "totality" of the offending was not properly explored.

The district court heard how if Paki received a conviction there would be no chance of him becoming King but that argument was not pursued at appeal.

"At this stage it is highly unlikely Mr Paki will be appointed King. Whether there is an established tikanga or not, I am satisfied that a discharge will not materially affect whether Mr Paki is viewed as 'whiter than the dove'," Justice Woolford said.

"Mr Paki's chances of succession may improve in the future after an appropriate period of atonement.

"However, I am not satisfied from the affidavit evidence that a conviction for drink-driving will prevent him from forever succeeding if he is otherwise considered a suitable candidate for the role."

NZME.