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Sir James Wallace revealed as ‘prominent businessman’ convicted of indecent assault
Sir James Wallace, one of New Zealand’s best-known art collectors, businessmen, and philanthropists, can now be named as the “prominent businessman” jailed for indecently assaulting three young men.
The case has run through the courts for several years and each time Wallace has been granted name suppression and has been identified only as a prominent businessman.
However, that suppression lapsed at 2pm today with a final judgment by the Supreme Court.
It ruled that there was no extreme hardship caused by his naming outside the “normal consequences” of a high-profile person being convicted and jailed.
Wallace was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after a jury found him guilty of indecent assault and then twice trying to bribe one to drop the complaint.
The government has initiated the process for honours forfeiture in relation to Wallace.
Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni said late this afternoon the process was under way.
Wallace will have 30 days to respond before a decision – made by the prime minister who then advises the King to cancel the appointment – is made.
Honours can be taken away from those who have done something to “damage” the system’s reputation.
Wallace, who is 85, is part of the Wallace family which made its money in rural services and meat processing.
In 2018, he was listed on the NBR rich list as being worth $165 million.
His art collection has been a fixture in Auckland for some years. In 2010, the art was moved to the historic Pah Homestead in Hillsborough, part of the city’s Monte Cecilia project.
He had one of the most extensive private art collections in New Zealand with more than 9000 pieces by 2020.
Wallace received a knighthood for services to the arts in the-then Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2011.
In an interview for his knighthood, he said he worked out as a young man he was no good at painting, so instead began to collect art.
Sir James Wallace at the time of his knighthood. Photo: Supplied
As well as setting up the James Wallace Arts Trust, which administered and exhibited his extensive collection of New Zealand art, the awards in his name gave prominence and help to emerging artists.
He has supported the Auckland Writers Festival, the Auckland Philharmonia and the Auckland Theatre Company.
His support for the arts led to him also being conferred by AUT with an honorary doctorate.
The case that led to jail term
The case against Sir James Wallace revolved around three men who told police they were assaulted at his four-storey mansion in Epsom after seeking career opportunities or business grants.
Two men said they were assaulted after going to his home for business meetings where they were given alcohol.
A third was working at the house as part of a residency.
Wallace denied the allegations.
He was initially charged in 2017, with the case running through the courts over several years and several appeals. He was also charged with two counts of trying to bribe a complainant to drop the case.
After being found guilty by a jury, he was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
VIA RNZ
The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.
On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.
Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.
In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.
“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.
“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”
VNP / Phil Smith
Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.
That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.
“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.
Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.
Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.
The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.
Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.
Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.
“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”
Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.
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