The Harassment Act will not stop paparazzi stalking the twin daughters of television presenter Mike Hosking and his estranged wife, Marie, says the lawyer trying to stop a women's magazine printing photos of the girls.
Bill Wilson, QC, told the Court of Appeal yesterday that the act could be used only against individuals who stalked someone at least twice in 12 months.
That meant magazines could keep getting different photographers to take photos of 2-year-old Ruby and Bella Hosking.
He urged the court to ban the media from publishing photos of the girls until they were at least 12 years old, and urged it to declare a new common-law right against invasion of privacy.
The Hoskings are appealing against a High Court ruling that New Idea can publish pictures of Mrs Hosking pushing Ruby and Bella in a stroller in an Auckland street.
Existing law allows the media to publish pictures of people taken in a public place.
Earlier, Julian Miles, QC, for New Idea, said the Hoskings could use the Harassment Act to stop their children being stalked.
The five-member bench, headed by court president Justice Thomas Gault, finished hearing submissions yesterday.
It will give a written decision.
- NZPA
Stalking act 'powerless' to stop paparazzi
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