A South Auckland primary school volunteer who hit eight students has lost a nearly 5-year legal battle to avoid charges

Chris Wiremu pled guilty in February 2021 to 8 counts of assault on a child, after hitting students with a piece of wood during a class on Maori weaponary.

Wiremu then tried to withdraw his guilty pleas with a "sovereign citizen" defense, saying the laws weren't consistent with his ancestors.

At one point, he said "I will continue to be treated as a slave under your laws".

Wiremu fired two consecutive lawyers in this legal process, before representing himself.

The judge has sentenced Wiremu to 6 months supervision.