A man in a leadership role at a Dunedin institution has been granted name suppression and avoided conviction for "serious" family violence

The Otago Daily Times reports the man's appeared in Dunedin District Court, where Judge Emma Smith said he should be ashamed of his "cruel" actions towards his partner.

The charges of assault and threats were laid in April, and the man has faced disciplinary proceedings from his employer.

The judge didn't enter a conviction and suppressed the man's name, occupation and place of employment due to concern for his family.