Wellington Central MP Tamatha Paul is standing by her decision to write a letter of support for prolific graffiti artist Karl Truell [...]
The 37-year-old, who had faced multiple charges of intentionally damaging property, was sentenced in Auckland District Court to 18 months of intensive supervision and 100 hours of community work, as well as paying $2000 in reparations to the NZ Transport Agency and Bunnings.During Truell’s court appearance a letter of support for him written by Paul was given to Judge Kirsten Lummis, who ultimately disregarded it. [...]
In 2022, a documentary on Truell’s tagging was released online. It showed a man now known to be Truell – his identity was obscured during the film – in Wellington committing acts of vandalism, shoplifting, hiding from his pursuers and telling viewers he has no plans to stop his illegal acts. [...]
Wellington City Council, of which Paul was a councillor at the time, described the film as “nauseating” and a spokesman estimated the clean-up cost could stretch into “seven figures”, noting that the overwhelming amount of the vandalism was done on private property or property belonging to other entities such as NZTA. [...]
Paul said she intended to write to Judge Lummis to ask why her letter was disregarded.
NZ Herald
Face of the Day
‘I see the potential in somebody like him to be able to do enormous good for our country and especially for young people who love graffiti and love art.’
Related
Face of the Day
The judge ordered a four-year starting point, two years below what the Crown sought but four months above the defence’s suggestion. He then allowed 50 per cent in reductions for his guilty pleas and for matters related to his drug addiction.
Face of the Day
New Plymouth councillor Murray Chong is popular for his strong beliefs in honest public service, bureaucratic transparency and prudent use of public money, says NZ First.
Farce of the Day
The book is billed as the third part of a trilogy beginning with The Hollow Men in 2006 and Dirty Politics in 2014.
Latest
NZF’s Company Tax
A 20 per cent SME rate is not a magic wand that will rebuild the country on Tuesday. It leaves more of the profit with the people who hire. Applaud that.
Quick Hit: Don’t Write It Down
A curriculum lead was filmed telling staff the minister’s feedback was “OIA-able” and should stay out of writing. Now the chief ombudsman is formally investigating, and Erica Stanford says it’s a matter for her chief executive.
Strategic Voting to Win
With less than four weeks before overseas voting begins, the expression ‘the election is in the hands of voters’ has rarely been more meaningful. The way voters decide to use their two votes could materially affect the balance of power in the next parliament.
Chippy’s Minder
Trevor Mallard kept Owen Glenn away from Helen Clark in 2008. On Saturday he was stepping between Chris Hipkins and a heckler at Ōtara. Some people never change jobs.