John Minto prepared to face trial over alleged product damage
Monday 5 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, John Minto
John Minto and Ben Vorderegger appeared in the Christchurch District Court facing charges of intentional damage. Police allege that anti-genocide stickers placed on SodaStream products at a Noel Leeming store caused more than $10,000 in damage. Minto stated he is willing to stand trial to avoid wasting taxpayer money.
Key facts
5 facts
- John Minto and Ben Vorderegger charged with intentional damage
- Alleged damage amount is $10,321
- Location of incident was a Noel Leeming store in Christchurch
- The incident occurred in June
- Next court appearance is December 11
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
John Minto and Ben Vorderegger appeared in Christchurch District Court on Monday facing charges of intentional damage. The pair, associated with Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, pleaded not guilty to allegations that they caused $10,321 in damage at a Christchurch Noel Leeming store. The charges relate to anti-genocide stickers placed on SodaStream products during a protest in June.
Minto told Judge Gerard Lynch that the stickers were merely "annoying stickers" and argued the matter did not warrant criminal law intervention. He suggested that if Noel Leeming wished to pursue the matter, it should be done through a civil jurisdiction. Judge Lynch noted that the $10,000 figure was a significant factor and questioned if a trial was worth spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars.
Police stated that the retailer claimed the stickers left marks and residue that could not be cleaned off. Noel Leeming also claimed that products with damaged boxes could not be sold due to store policy. Superintendent Lane Todd said the $10,000 valuation provided by the retailer included items that had to be removed from sale following the protest.
The court has adjourned the matter to December 11, with police directed to provide more details regarding the damage.
Where reports differ
- One report states the damage amount was more than $10,000, while another specifies $10,321
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and The Press.