Ohinemutu launch for Pora book (+video)

Author Michael Bennett speaking in Rotorua. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Te Arawa writer and film-maker Michael Bennett says it was special to bring his account of the Teina Pora case back to his hometown.

Mr Bennett held a launch of his book In Dark Places: The Confessions of Teina Pora and an Ex-Cop's Fight for Justice at Tamatekapua meeting house in Ohinemutu this evening.

"It's very special to bring this story back to my hometown and my roots. I feel very grateful for this opportunity."

The book follows on from Mr Bennett's five-year involvement with the case, including making the documentary The Confessions of Prisoner T.

Mr Pora was wrongly convicted of the 1992 rape and murder of 39-year-old Susan Burdett in Papatoetoe and spent 21 years in jail.

Mr Bennett said his book told the whole story, from the murder to Mr Pora's exoneration.

He said the thing he most wanted to do was show New Zealand, and the world, the Mr Pora he had gotten to know.

Mr Bennett was contacted by private investigator Tim McKinnel to help him get justice for Mr Pora and tell his story.

He said Mr McKinnel always made the strong point our police force did an extraordinary job.

"Most of the time we get it right. When we don't get it right, we get it catastrophically wrong."

A problem with miscarriages of justice was the people who suffered most were very likely Maori and Pacific Islanders, he said.

He said Maori and Pacific Islanders were unequally represented in the justice system and there were also problems with the appeal system.

Mr Bennett has been touring New Zealand promoting the book, with Palmerston North being the next stop. His book was released last month.