Police prosecutor Sergeant Stu Wilkes suggested the name suppression application was made in light of the council election and all public officials come under scrutiny<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tomlinson declined Paniora\u2019s name suppression application but allowed time for a potential appeal. That appeal time has ended, meaning she can now be named.<\/p>\n Paniora was Kaipara\u2019s first and only Te Moananui o Kaipara M\u0101ori ward councillor, after the council voted in 2024 to disestablish M\u0101ori wards<\/a> rather than hold a referendum.<\/p>\n She clashed with former mayor Craig Jepson<\/a>, both over M\u0101ori representation and the right to say a karakia in meetings<\/a>.<\/p>\n Paniora was elected to Te Maruata, Local Government NZ\u2019s M\u0101ori politicians\u2019 group in 2022, winning an award for her contribution to M\u0101ori before Kaipara pulled out of the national group.<\/p>\n She also holds a senior role at Te R\u016bnanga o Ng\u0101ti Wh\u0101tua.<\/p>\n While Paniora was unable to stand in a M\u0101ori constituency, she stood in this year\u2019s local body elections in Kaipara\u2019s Wairoa ward, where she placed fifth.<\/p>\n Three people – Snow Tane, Josephine Nathan and Gordon Lambeth – were elected as councillors for this ward.<\/p>\n On October 17, Paniora admitted two charges of common assault after a September 15 incident in a shop in Whang\u0101rei.<\/p>\n Her lawyer, Sam McDonald, asked for no convictions to be laid, giving her a chance to apply for a discharge without conviction.<\/p>\n She is due to appear in Kaikohe District Court on November 28 for sentencing.<\/p>\n If a discharge without conviction is denied, she faces a maximum penalty of up to six months in prison and\/or a fine of up to $4000.<\/p>\nIhapera Paniora admitted, in the Whang\u0101rei District Court, to common assault on two women. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n