Man charged with 13 arsons was insane

File photo / NZ Herald

A man charged with 13 arsons around Wellington over Queen's Birthday weekend this year was insane at the time, a court was told today.

Judge Ian Mill entered verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity against Elias Te Moananui, 43, of Porirua.

Lifting name suppression in Wellington District Court, the judge said Te Moananui - who remains in psychiatric care - was considered fit to stand trial now.

But Judge Mill said he was satisfied on the basis of expert medical evidence that the accused was insane when he committed the arsons and a further charge of stealing a car on May 23.

A jury would have had to return verdicts of not guilty if the case went to trial, he said.

Both the police prosecutor and Te Moananui's lawyer Paul Surridge accepted medical reports and the judge's verdicts.

Judge Mill suppressed all details of the defendant's mental health but denied an application for continued name suppression.

"It is a matter of public interest and public record," he told Mr Surridge.

Additional charges of shoplifting and theft were withdrawn by the prosecution, as was a count of unlawfully taking a car about the time Te Moananui was committing the arsons.

He pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and was further disqualified for 12 months.

Judge Mill remanded Te Moananui back to a secure hospital for a report "to determine the most suitable method of dealing with you."

Another court appearance is scheduled for November 11.

The total cost of the Queen's Birthday weekend arsons has been estimated at more than $700,000.

They included churches at Wainuiomata, Porirua, Pauatahanui and the Karori Cemetery chapel, plus a Porirua marae and a Seatoun scout hall.