Sentencing — doing a dangerous act — rioting — lighting fires — attacks on police — COVID-19 — global pandemic — Crimes Act 1961, ss 87 & 198(2)(a). The defendant was for sentence on charges of rioting and doing a dangerous act. He had participated in the Wellington protests against the government's COVID-19 measures. The protests grew into a 23-day occupation of the area around the New Zealand parliament, causing major disruption to local people, businesses and services. When police moved in to restore order to the protest area, some of the protestors became violent. The defendant joined the attacks on police, and then doused a tent in petrol and set it on fire. This action by the defendant marked a major escalation in the protest. Several other fires were lit around parliament grounds, and the defendant was observed stoking one of them. The Court listed the aggravating features as being use of violence, the amount of damage caused, targeting police officers, and endangering the safety of a large number of people. The start point for sentence was 22 months' imprisonment. The defendant got reductions for his previous good character and belated guilty plea. The final sentence was six months' home detention and 200 hours' community work. Judgment Date: 19 June 2023.