The shame the Maori King's son has brought on himself, Tainui and his father is punishment enough, a spokesperson for Rethinking Crime and Punishment says.
King Tuheitia Photo: RNZ
King Tuheitia Paki's son, Korotangi Paki, recently pleaded guilty to two burglary charges, one of theft from a car and an earlier charge of drink-driving. He was discharged without conviction.
His discharge has proved controversial, with Facebook pages set up calling for him to be convicted.
But Rethinking Crime and Punishment spokesperson Kim Workman said discharging Mr Paki was the right decision, and his acceptance back into his tribal community would be a long and difficult path.
Mr Workman said Korotangi Paki would have to prove himself in order to restore dignity to his father and whanau.
Research showed that public shaming had the opposite effect to what was intended, and served only to increase the likelihood of future reoffending.
Mr Workman said Korotangi Paki was no different to a young law student who appeared before the court and asked for another chance as it could affect their future.
It also emerged last week that Korotangi Paki had last year posted racist comments on his Facebook page and signed off one post with "seig heil" - the Mongrel Mob's misspelled adoption of the Nazi slogan.
Tuheitia Paki said in a statement he was deeply shocked and disappointed at the comments and apologised unreservedly for any offence they had caused and that he had let his son know of his extreme displeasure.
