30 Mar 2023

Conspiracy theorist protest organisers Billy Te Kahika Jr and Vinny Eastwood jailed

5:18 pm on 30 March 2023

By Catrin Owen of Stuff

Advance NZ co-leader Billy Te Kahika outside the High Court at Auckland.

Billy Te Kahika Jr. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers

Conspiracy theorist Billy Te Kahika Jr has been jailed after organising a protest on the first day of the Covid-19 delta lockdown in 2021.

Te Kahika and Vinny Eastwood, who are also bandmates, were both found guilty of intentionally failing to comply with the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act by organising and attending the protest.

It took place outside the TVNZ building in central Auckland on the first day of the level 4 lockdown on August 18, 2021.

The pair appeared at the Auckland District Court on Thursday, where Judge Peter Winter sentenced Te Kahika to four months' imprisonment, which was met with murmurs of disapproval from his supporters.

Before the courtroom opened, Te Kahika addressed about 30 supporters with a karakia and said he was "fighting for everybody's freedoms and rights".

Judge Winter was satisfied Te Kahika was the orchestrator and organiser of the protest, whereas Eastwood's actions were in a supporting role and he even tried to calm the crowd at one point.

"[Te Kahika] had the most to gain in notoriety from the breach," Judge Winter said.

"I find that he has exhibited no remorse to the offending other than remorse for himself."

At trial, Te Kahika said he told police about his intention to organise a protest for 200 to 300 people.

He said he wanted police to be present to ensure the safety of protesters, the public and to prevent disorderly behaviour and violence.

Anti-lockdown protest in Central Auckland

Protesters against the Delta lockdown in Auckland, August 2021. Photo: RNZ / Katie Doyle

But police had advised him against proceeding with the protest as it was illegal and he would be at risk of arrest.

Te Kahika posted live on social media ahead of the protests encouraging others to attend and included a bank account number to contribute to his costs and expenses.

Judge Winter disagreed that the pair took measures to ensure the protest took place safely, with social distancing and mask wearing to prevent the spread of Covid.

"In fact, it would seem, that part of their protest action was to deliberately shun that form of protection as an act of defiance and protest," he previously said in his decision.

Judge Winter said the defendants were both aware that they would be intentionally failing to comply with the Covid-19 lockdown order.

The legislation was there "for the protection of all New Zealanders" at a time when the re-emergence of the virus posed a "significant threat" to Kiwis.

Prosecutor Catherine Finegan submitted this was an "intentional and egregious" flouting of the rules.

"They placed themselves, the persons they encouraged to attend and the community at large at risk," Finegan said.

She submitted a term of imprisonment was appropriate.

Te Kahika's lawyer, Paul Borich KC, submitted there was no evidence of Covid-19 being transmitted at the event, or being a super-spreader event.

Borich said the police took about an hour to do anything.

Te Kahika was protesting the single most authoritarian interference of the rights of New Zealanders, Borich submitted.

Nathan Batts submitted the experience of Eastwood's arrest and the criminal justice system had the fullest deterrent effect.

A night in custody had a traumatic effect, the court heard.

Both Borich and Batts submitted the pair should be convicted and discharged.

The court heard Eastwood has since got a job with a broadcaster in Texas, which is a blend of comedy and conspiracy.

This story originally appeared on Stuff.

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