Sentencing of prominent Maori leader Sir Ngatata Love will not be completed until tomorrow as his lawyers consider Corrections advice on the effect of a jail sentence on his health.
Sir Ngatata Love at the High Court in Wellington during the trial. Photo: RNZ / Aaron Smale
The former chairman of iwi organisation the Wellington Tenths Trust was last month found guilty of a charge of obtaining by deception in relation to a property development in Wellington. He was to be sentenced today.
At the High Court at Wellington this morning Justice Graham Lang said he received a probation report for the defendant yesterday and matters had arisen in that which the defence lawyer needed time to address.
He said concern had been expressed about the effect a sentence of imprisonment might have on Sir Ngatata's wellbeing and advice was sought from the Corrections Department about how that might be handled.
Justice Lang said Corrections had reported back on that about 10 minutes before Court started and the defence lawyer, Colin Carruthers QC, needed time to discuss that proposal with Sir Ngatata's doctors.
Several supporters of Sir Ngatata are making character submissions to the court today.
The Crown and defence will make their submissions and the sentencing process will be completed tomorrow afternoon.