A descendant of the noted Northland chief Kawiti has avoided convictions for theft and burglary by making amends with his victims.
Haki Tangiwai Kawiti, 21, of Waiomio, who pleaded guilty to the charges, appeared in the Whangarei District Court for sentencing on Tuesday before Judge Thomas Everitt.
Kawiti's uncle Rangi Hiini told the court how the defendant had paid reparations to two of his three victims. One of them was a Russell woman whose car he took along with an SPCA animal cage. By way of apology, he had guided her through the Kawiti caves at Waiomio, and butchered a pig and delivered it to her.
He also paid $37.35 to a Rotorua service station for petrol he took.
Unable to contact the third complainant, Kawiti was giving $200 to the Whangarei Youth Centre, which helped with his rehabilitation.
Mr Hiini told the court that Kawiti's family had shared his shame but were committed to supporting him.
While in his uncle's care, Kawiti had learned about his ancestry and had become an exponent of the taiaha (spear), which Mr Hiini said had been the weapon of choice for Chief Kawiti.
Defence lawyer Kim Holden urged the court to discharge Kawiti without conviction, saying the Russell victim had written in favour of that outcome.
Judge Everitt cited an old Maori proverb saying Kawiti had to decide if his canoe was made of totara or puketea.
"It's significant in that puketea is a timber which absorbs water and makes a canoe very slow."
Warriors heading to battle in puketea canoes arrived late, he said.
He said Kawiti's ancestors had set a "superlative" standard which could be difficult for young people to follow.
Judge Everitt acknowledged the whanau's effort and noted that the case had strong elements of restorative justice. "Those efforts must be recognised and the best way is to discharge Haki Kawiti without conviction."
- NZPA
Court grants chief's descendant a discharge
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