Simon Power, Minister of Justice. Photo / Duncan Brown, Hawkes Bay Today

Simon Power, Minister of Justice. Photo / Duncan Brown, Hawkes Bay Today

Justice Minister Simon Power wants to stop the emerging "special class" of high-profile people using their status to get name suppression.

Mr Power strongly signalled he would change the law to stop cases such as the one this month in which a "prominent entertainer" who admitted forcing a teenage girl's face into his genitals was granted permanent suppression because publicity would have a detrimental effect on his career and his record and ticket sales.

The minister said he instinctively disagreed with giving well-known people an advantage when they came before the courts.

Do the laws around name suppression in NZ courts need changing? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

  1. 65
    comments
  2. Andy Reed (United Kingdom)
    10:14AM Thursday, 19 Nov 2009
    I thought it was interesting that the first two stories about the recent "prominent NZ musician" who received name suppression in the NZ Herald provided the public with enough information to actually identify him by a process of elimination. I know that had the person been denied name suppression he would have received a fair amount of this 'justice by media' especially the NZ Herald who hold itself to be some kind of moral compass.

    I don't know if this is why the details were published, but I do think that they to a certian extent are contributing to a more dangerous society by feeding or even creating some people's disturbing fantasies with detailed descriptions of either violent and or sexual crimes.

    I know that this is what sells news papers, but do we really need to know exactly what happened is it not enough to simply say that for example; the individual comitted a lewd act in public or indecently exposed himself etc etc. So you want to know who it was?

    Here are the clues provided by the NZ Herald - Male in his 30's, from Auckland, on his way home from performing at a concert in March 2009 on a Wed night/Thurs morning in Wellington you work it out yourself.
  3. realkiwi1 (New Zealand)
    10:47AM Thursday, 19 Nov 2009
    About time there was one law for all Mr Powers, good on yer mate, good insight.
    Up till now there has been one law for the haves and another for the have-nots, where special rights are conferred on those with wealth and fame (and expensive lawyers)
    Celebs should pay the same price for their crimes as ordinary kiwis. If we have to face up to our failures and take responsibility for the consequences of our actions, why shouldnt Jonny Celeb?
  4. Colin Munro (New Zealand)
    10:48AM Thursday, 19 Nov 2009
    It is a known fact that (so called) media celebrities and prominent sports people almost always succeed with name suppression applications as it would be "detrimental to their careers" etc etc.

    I know plenty of people whose chosen careers as bus drivers, nurses, plumbers etc who would suffer far more due to their reduced income (High profile people have high profile salary packages) than those who continually escape the public shame that they deserve by their actions. it's simple - If you dont break the law you don't get into these situations, end of story.

    If only all these do gooders would shut up NZ would be a far better place
  5. DM (Mt Albert)
    11:30AM Thursday, 19 Nov 2009
    In my opinion, if a celebrity can be granted permanent name suppression because publicity would have a detrimental effect on his career and his record and ticket sales, then the law is an ass. If said person experiences adverse consequences because of inappropriate behaviour then so be it. Ever heard of punishment? By allowing the said celebrity to have permanent name supression and continue to benefit from their "fake" positive image it merely reinforces that the offensive behaviour was justified and could be repeated whilst getting off scott-free.
  6. James Rawin (Freemans Bay)
    11:33AM Thursday, 19 Nov 2009
    Well known or normal people like should have the same rule

    If someone did something wrong then apply for the rule to stop their name being publish. What is hell on earth to have Law in our society.

    He/She shouldn't did something that break the law. He/She can't came have argued that because I am a well known person it might damage my career. Who care? You aren't the prince or princess, perhaps you shouldn't do something stupid the first place anyway
  7. DBD (New Zealand)
    02:08PM Thursday, 19 Nov 2009
    Who's the idiot judge that granted name suppression. Some judges are more criminal than those that appear before them. We need some serious changes. Stuff the law you old farts, have some balls and say NO for once and actually make a judgment that shows you actually have the power to send a message.
    If judges can't do that they are merely puppets to paper and should not be paid what they are.