Nelson councillor retains seat after successful appeal against conviction
Friday 2 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story NZME, High Court
Nelson City councillor Tim Skinner has been discharged without conviction following a High Court appeal. Skinner had previously pleaded guilty to breaching a protection order through unauthorised contact. The successful appeal means a city by-election will not be required.
Key facts
4 facts
- Tim Skinner was discharged without conviction for breaching a protection order
- The High Court dismissed Skinner's application for permanent name suppression
- The offending involved leaving flowers and sending 12 messages
- The conviction was originally entered in the Nelson District Court on 30 July 2026
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Nelson city councillor Tim Skinner has been discharged without conviction following a successful High Court appeal. The High Court quashed a conviction for breaching a protection order that was entered in the Nelson District Court on 30 July 2026. Justice Owen Paulsen granted the discharge but dismissed Skinner's application for permanent name suppression.
The offending occurred when Skinner left flowers and a note at his former family property and sent 12 messages. The flowers, which were tied with one of his wife's hair ties, were found by an adult child of the couple. While the messages were not considered abusive, they were found to be in breach of a protection order.
Skinner had been subject to name suppression since November last year. The High Court's decision to dismiss the application for permanent name suppression means his identity can now be revealed. Skinner was stood down from council duties pending the appeal outcome.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith stated that Skinner will return to full council duties next week. Under the Local Government Act, an elected member's position is vacated if they are convicted of an offence punishable by two years' imprisonment or more. Breaching a protection order carries a maximum three-year prison term.
Where reports differ
- One report describes the flowers as being tied with a hair tie, while the other simply describes them as being left with a note
Compiled from reports by The Press and NZ Herald.