The prominent Northland leader who admitted assaulting two women in Whangārei in September can now be named as former Kaipara councillor Ihapera (Pera) Paniora.

Paniora was first charged on September 17 in relation to the incident on September 15.

The 38-year-old barrister applied for name suppression, arguing publication of her name would cause extreme hardship to her and her whānau.

This was in part because of the way wāhine Māori leaders are targeted by extremist groups.

In a name suppression hearing on October 2, Judge Gene Tomlinson said he had no time for the “racist, misogynist” vitriol, often posted online anonymously.

“The way women are treated in a public office is despicable - I hate it,” he said.

However, Tomlinson said Paniora had not reached the threshold of extreme hardship, with open justice being vitally important in an open democracy.

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.

Tomlinson declined Paniora’s name suppression application but allowed time for a potential appeal. That appeal time has ended, meaning she can now be named.

Paniora was Kaipara’s first and only Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori ward councillor, after the council voted in 2024 to disestablish Māori wards rather than hold a referendum.

Ihapera Paniora admitted, in the Whangārei District Court, to common assault on two women. Photo / NZME

She clashed with former mayor Craig Jepson, both over Māori representation and the right to say a karakia in meetings.

Paniora was elected to Te Maruata, Local Government NZ’s Māori politicians’ group in 2022, winning an award for her contribution to Māori before Kaipara pulled out of the national group.

She also holds a senior role at Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua.

While Paniora was unable to stand in a Māori constituency, she stood in this year’s local body elections in Kaipara’s Wairoa ward, where she placed fifth.

Three people - Snow Tane, Josephine Nathan and Gordon Lambeth - were elected as councillors for this ward.

On October 17, Paniora admitted two charges of common assault in relation to the September 15 incident, which took place in a shop in Whangārei.

Her lawyer, Sam McDonald, asked for no convictions to be laid, giving her a chance to apply for a discharge without conviction.

She is due to appear in Kaikohe District Court on November 28 for sentencing.

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.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.