Two offenders narrowly avoided prison after taking rehabilitative steps, amid warnings from a southern judge that family violence is at almost epidemic levels nationally. Judge Harvey said unfortunately, because family violence was at "almost epidemic proportions", the courts were sending serious offenders to prison. Te Aonui was looking after two of his victim’s children in Wellington when she came to visit. The judge also accepted Te Aonui had no previous convictions for violence "of this nature" and it was out of character. The positive report helped him narrowly avoid prison and for assault with intent to injure and threatening to kill, Te Aonui was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 22, 2025 15:33 UTC