By Tova O'Brien
A judge is facing strong criticism after granting permanent name suppression to a prominent Manawatu man in possession of child pornography.
The man has been sentenced to four months' home detention.
The Maori Party says they are outraged and are urging the prosecution to appeal the sentence.
The man was found in possession of more than 300,000 pornographic images, many of young naked girls and some of children being sexually abused.
The Maori party says his sentence is a perfect example of the double standards available for privileged people.
"It is concerning to see that it is still here in this day and age that somebody who's prominent, or from a prominent family has a different standard to somebody who may not be from such a prominent family," says Rahui Katene.
But sentencing judge Grant Fraser disagrees, saying: "The punitive consequences are more extensive for the man than for other people, particularly in light of his position, achievements and the consequential outcome."
But the editor of the Manawatu Standard says it is precisely that comment which has unanimously irked their readers.
"I think people accept that if you do reach that status in the community and you behave in a manner that's unbecoming of that status then the scrutiny is warranted," says Michael Cummings.
The Maori Party says the repercussions will now affect more than just the man and his family.
"There are a whole lot of prominent families in the Manawatu who are now going to have people pointing fingers at them, you know - is it you? Is it someone you know?" says Mr Katene.
The man was sentenced to four months' home detention - the very same place the offending has been occurring over the last two years. But the judge said the consequences of the man's actions were severe and beyond anything the court could impose.
3 News