Mihaka jailed for comments

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 7

Mihaka jailed for comments

PA Auckland The Maori activist Dun Mihaka will spend a month in jail for comments made to a District Court judge. Mihaka, aged 44, said he was sick of the court staff pushing him around and wasting his time. He appeared in the District Court at Auckland before Judge Bryan Nicholson on Wednesday to set a date for a trial on a separate matter. He said he had no intention of returning if granted bail. He also insulted the judge twice. After a five-hour spell in a cell, Mihaka withdrew his insults to the judge, but refused to retract his other comments.

Judge Nicholson sentenced him to imprisonment for contempt of court. Mihaka then asked the judge for bail, pending his trial on an assault charge set down for August 18. This was refused. Mihaka refused to enter the court dock. He sat on the floor when police made moves to force him there. He said he was angry because he believed his trial would start yesterday. Court staff set up a cassette deck to record Mihaka’s second appearance. Two women were arrested and charged with trespass after refusing to leave the foyer.