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The media, however, cannot reveal their identities for at least another 10 days in case the decision is appealed.
The individuals were charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) with “obtaining by deception” several weeks before this year’s election.
At the time, the OFS confirmed that none of the accused were ministers, sitting deputies, candidates, employees or current members of NZ First.
Since then, one of the defendants has struggled to keep his name out of the public arena, arguing in North Shore District Court last month that the case had been “politicized” and that they would face “trial by the media. “.
Today, Judge Deidre Orchard rejected the argument.
“In my opinion, the issue is inherently political. It will surely attract considerable media attention and that attention is legitimate.”
Judge Orchard said she was not convinced that media interest posed any risk to a fair trial.
“New Zealand courts have dealt with cases in which there has been extensive and in some cases very damaging pre-trial publicity on a regular and successful basis,” the ruling said.
“In my experience, juries are fully capable of setting aside such reports and any feelings of prejudice that they may have aroused and focusing on the evidence.”
The judge also ruled that the defendant “could not show that the publication will lead to extreme hardship.”
As such, it dismissed the request, but maintained the current suppression until December 14 “or until an appeal is filed and treated by the Superior Court.”
The defendants are charged with using a “fraudulent device, trick or ploy” to secure more than $ 700,000 between 2015 and 2020, which was then used to pay for the expenses of the NZ First party.
They have pleaded not guilty and will appear in court for a case review hearing on January 26.
Before the elections, RNZ, Stuff, NZME, TVNZ and Mediaworks unsuccessfully challenged a suppression order that protected the couple’s identities, arguing that the public had a right to know who they were before the polls closed.
