MEDIA RELEASE

Protect victims, not criminals: ban final name suppression

30 OCTOBER 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"The Sensible Sentencing Trust is calling for final name suppression to be banned for all offenders, except where necessary to protect victims, following the decision to permanently suppress the identy of a wealthy child abuse material offender - despite also being imprisoned.

“Openness is the foundation of our justice system. Justice must be seen to be done—to restore the mana of victims and ensure criminals face public accountability, social sanction and shame,” says Trust spokesperson Louise Parsons.

“This outcome smacks of an arrogant ‘we know better’ approach that kowtows to a criminal. It’s disgusting and a slap in the face to victims. The children whose abuse was recorded are real victims. Every image represents abuse that should never have happened. The shame belongs to the offender.

“Protecting victims from identification or further harm is a legitimate reason for suppression. Protecting a criminal’s reputation, social standing, business interests, or mental health is not. An offender’s wealth should buy neither harsher treatment nor special protection. The same rules should apply to everyone.”

The Trust says Parliament must remove judicial discretion to ban final suppression of the identities of offenders, except where necessary to protect victims. If suppressing a relationship or other identifying details can protect a victim, courts should do that before concealing the offender’s identity.

“We congratulate New Zealand First for adopting as a 2026 election policy banning final name suppression, except in exceptional circumstances. This is long overdue and comes at no fiscal cost. It’s a no-brainer. We are calling on all political parties to adopt the same or similar policy at this election.

“Parliament must draw a clear line: openness and transparency is the foundation of the justice system. The public should know who you are unless suppression is necessary to protect victims.

“Name suppression must be a shield for victims, not a hiding place for criminals.”

ENDS