MP's partner hit woman

A newspaper has won a court battle to publish the name of Labour Tainui MP Nanaia Mahuta's partner, William Gannin Ormsby, who has been convicted of assaulting a female.

Ormsby, 34, pleaded guilty in the Hamilton District Court on June 9 to one charge of assaulting a female.

Other charges, including indecent assault, sexual violation and assault with intent to commit sexual violation relating to another woman, were withdrawn by the Crown.

Judge Merelina Burnett convicted Ormsby and sentenced him to 240 hours' community service on the assault charge.

She suppressed the names of both Ormsby and Ms Mahuta, saying the suppression would stay in place unless she changed her mind or counsel called the matter back to court within seven days.

Ormsby made headlines in July last year after it was revealed he had entered into a relationship with his first cousin - Ms Mahuta - who had campaigned on family issues.

Ms Mahuta is the daughter of the late Sir Robert Mahuta, a prominent Tainui leader.

The Waikato Times applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the suppression orders in Ormsby's case.

It submitted that as Ms Mahuta was a public figure it was of public interest that she was involved with a man convicted of assaulting a female.

It also said that the courts are ruled by a principle of openness and it was in the public interest for as much information as possible to be made available.

The newspaper said publication of a defendant's name after conviction can also be considered part of the punishment so the public can know he has been convicted.

The application was granted by Justice Ron Young, who voiced concern about the lack of reasons given by Judge Burnett for granting final name suppression.

The case was sent back to Judge Burnett for a rehearing and the suppression orders for Ormsby and Ms Mahuta were lifted lasted week.

- NZPA