Terror raid trial 'conveniently' delayed

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Wed, 18 May 2011 6:41a.m.

Tame Iti (NZPA, file)

Tame Iti (NZPA, file)

By Patrick Gower

The trial for the so-called "terror raids" - has been delayed yet again. The Tuhoe tribe say that's convenient for the Government, which wanted to avoid a clash with the Rugby World Cup.

“There may be an embarrassment with some Tuhoe action and public action while rugby and New Zealand is being showcased to the world,” says Tuhoe’s Tamati Kruger.

The trial was due to start on May 30 and run through until the cup opens in early September, But the Supreme Court is considering an appeal by some of the defendants And says its ruling "will not be possible" before the trial.

That's now likely to be next year - but the Government says there has been no interference whatsoever.

“I've never seen that discussed so I can't believe there's any truth in it,” says Prime Minister John Key.

But some of the accused are feeling pressure and just want it over.

“The quicker they throw this matter out the door the better it is for the taxpayer because at the moment millions of dollars have been spent on something that ain't even real,” says Tuhoe activist Tame Iti.

A Wikileaks cable shows American diplomats say police told them they "expect those charged to escape incarceration and likely to pay only a fine".

More than three and a half years have gone by - and a film that castigates the raids is now on at the movies. Tuhoe says the delays only benefit the police.

“The court has been a cathedral of third chances to the police and it has only been a casino of little chance to Tuhoe,” says Mr Kruger.

Now those charged have to wait longer for their day in court to find out.

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Comments

07 Jul 2011 03:58p.m.

Gosh wrote:

Yeah rito Dan. Complete sentences and paragraphs if you would.

19 May 2011 12:50a.m.

dan wrote:

Who gives a hoot about the flag,the issue is "Tuhoe raids" and the guinea pig experiment by Police and Gov't to test the response and actions of a minority people namely the "Tangata whenua" of Aotearoa,these world elitists have hidden agendas to gradually phase in "Totalitarism" into every country. Over in Indiana USA a panel of judges have just done away with the 4th Amendment by making it illegal to protect yourself against police illegally raiding you and your property. I mean come on N.Z is this what is coming or has it already happened here in N.Z. Doesn't it look a little strange that N.Z and Australia have a combined blitz on alcohol offenders?,looks like a "guise" to me N.Z And where is Mr Howard Broad the authoriser of the Tuhoe raids? oh! resigned and gone into hiding ha,I wonder if he will be part of the courtcase?. I bet the intelligence agencies are watching Tuhoe like the spies they are looking for some dirt to strengthen their rediculous case. What a supposid democratic society we live in,it's just a farse yeah. Am I Tuhoe?,ah na!,am I tangata whenua? ah yeah!,should I support them?ah yeah,is this a race issue?ah na a human rights one. Hey you know what I dont get is the ability for the supposid churches here in N.Z dominated mainly by Europeans,how they are "Invisible" and have been for hundreds of years for seeking justice for Maori here in N.Z, dont they look like a pack of "Hypocrites" considering it's biblical to seek justice for the poor,the oppressed!.Is it because they dont want to get into politics? or are they just "false"?,hey these are just questions that need highlighting maybe.

18 May 2011 06:34p.m.

cyril wrote:

What has an appeal by the defendants got to do with the goverment and the rugby world cup. Its amasing how people twist things and put more into things than there is.

18 May 2011 06:27p.m.

Judge Smartypants wrote:

On the 2nd false start you're disqualified according to the IAAF rules, prosecution. Now GTFO of my courtroom

18 May 2011 04:23p.m.

Ana wrote:

@David Jacobs- The flag burning case was overturned because the law was used incorrectly. As they court stated a charge for offensive behaviour is not the same as behaviour that offends some people. Flag burning is a legitimate international protest against government actions. Tame Iti's flag shooting was not deemed by the police to be remotely dangerous at the time (I know one of the police present) and charges were laid regarding the flag shooting after complaints from the public when it was shown on tv. The lack of respect for authority has nothing to do with protest.Should the french resistance have respected the Nazi's? The lack of respect may stem more from some police officers disregarding the law and ending up in jail for rape and abusing their authority. If there are charges laid for anything in NZ they should be processed through the courts in a timely manner

18 May 2011 02:43p.m.

Dan wrote:

Cant we just put these activist scum up against a wall and be one with it already?

18 May 2011 01:08p.m.

Mark wrote:

David, you need to learn to read properly and to spell, its Tame, with an E, and the person who won the flag burning appeal was born in NZ, and until recently was employed. She now cannot find a job due to this court case looming over her. And one more correction, The reason I have no respect for authority is not because people burn flags, its because the 'authorities" use the flag as a cover for all sorts of crimes including invading other peoples countries, helping commit mass murder and torture. The "authorities" call this essential government spending, unlike social services which are apparently luxuries we can't afford. Until the people who make these decisions stop lying to us I will continue to disrespect authority and I will continue to support people who burn flags and anything else it takes to convince people that the "authorities" are a bunch of lying crooks who need to be thrown out of office.

18 May 2011 11:42a.m.

David Jacobs wrote:

This case is getting to the point where, if statutes of limitation applied, the opportunity to prosecute would have expired. Furthermore it appears that Tama's actions of shooting a NZ flag will come to nought because it is now possible to destroy a NZ flag without penalty.
In my younger days to damage/deface a NZ flag, banknote with an effigy of the Queen printed on it, or the uniform of the armed forces was a criminal offence.
The Dominion last week carried a headline stating that one can now burn a NZ flag with impunity. A person involved in this blasphemy was not born in NZ, and had until recent years been a "professional student" using the system to her advantage and spending most of her time protesting. Judge Blaikie was correct in imposing a fine of $500 for this offence, but an appeal has seen this overturned and the offence relegated to the ranks of a petty crime.
It is no wonder that the youth in NZ have no respect for authority if examples such as this are set.
In the Tama case, were charges laid regarding the destruction of the NZ flag, and were charges laid about the careless and dangerous use of a firearm? There were people in the vicinity of the event, and it appeared to happen in a public place.
There seems to have been little activity from Tama lately, but has consideration been given the amount of disruption that could be caused if he were to join forces with a recently retired MP and his mother?