Michele Wilkinson-Smith
Michele Wilkinson-Smith is a High Court Justice in New Zealand known for her legal rulings on various significant cases. Recently, she made headlines by ruling on the forfeiture of over $57,000 belonging to Royce Khan, emphasizing the importance of proper legal procedures in handling seized assets in criminal investigations.
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Recent news mentions
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith ordered that Fuati pay nearly $585,000 from the proceeds of the frozen assets.
Professional money launderer Daniel Hu to forfeit $3.3 million after covert police investigation Operation Martinez
New Zealand· 2026-02-16
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith went into detail around Korewha’s troubled mental health history during the hearing.
Jack Korewha given indefinite detention for killing stepdad Geoffrey Ware after meds changeNew Zealand· 2026-02-04
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith reiterated to Williams and Durham during their sentencing what a waste gang life was.
Taupō Mongrel Mob boss jailed for life over emergency housing motel murderNew Zealand· 2025-12-12
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith is presiding over Tuai's trial in the High Court at Auckland.
Defendant Moeaia Tuai gives evidence at his Auckland slavery, sex assault trialNew Zealand· 2025-11-12
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith said the period of community detention must be reduced.
Elijah Nicholas appeals sentence for theft after taking trailer, loader and 84 beehivesNew Zealand· 2025-10-25
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith differed from Judge Wickliffe in her decision regarding the aggravated robbery charge.
Peter Laupama’s aggravated robbery acquittal sent back to the Rotorua District Court for reviewNew Zealand· 2025-10-21
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith is presiding over the trial.
Moeaia Tuai slavery and rape trial begins in Auckland High CourtNew Zealand· 2025-10-20
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith dismissed Mika's appeal, stating there was no material error in the sentencing.
Bay of Plenty man Tupaea Mika to stay in prison for drink-driving causing deathNew Zealand· 2025-09-29
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith dismissed Mika's appeal, stating there was no material error in the sentencing.
Bay of Plenty man Tupaea Mika to stay in prison for drink-driving causing deathNew Zealand· 2025-09-29High Court Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith stated that the district court judge was entitled to find that Baker acted recklessly.
Auckland man Daniel William Baker convicted after laser hits cockpit of descending cargo planeNew Zealand· 2025-08-28
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith rejected this and found that on the balance of probabilities, the man was served the relevant paperwork.
New Zealand High Court dismisses father’s challenge over daughter’s German passportNew Zealand· 2025-08-24
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith is presiding over the trial.
Chrishan Raju murder trial: Homicide victim Joeli Rankin’s final moments captured in videoNew Zealand· 2025-07-11
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith is presiding over the trial.
Mt Albert murder trial: Ex-partner says Chrishan Raju was jealous of her male friend before stabbingNew Zealand· 2025-07-09
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith denied the defendant’s request for a non-custodial sentence.
Auckland boy racer jailed for hitting pregnant teen, causing baby’s deathNew Zealand· 2025-07-02
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith ordered both men to serve three years’ imprisonment for their corruption.
Corporate corruption: Australians Mark Lester, Sean Bryan sentenced for $4m Spark NZ kickbacks schemeNew Zealand· 2025-05-20
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith wasn’t so sure Burns' bail jump ranked high on the egregious scale.
Mongrel Mob mum Kelly-Anne Burns sentenced for bail jump after daughter’s deadly stab attackNew Zealand· 2025-05-11
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith found that Min Hu did not have a 'legal interest' in the assets.
Criminal proceeds recovery: Innocent investors have cash locked in money-launderer Cathay Hua’s assetsNew Zealand· 2025-04-13
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith said it was clear Zhu had spent her life actively criticising the CCP.
YouTuber Wanli Zhu wins $150k defamation case after leaflets distributed claiming she’s a spyNew Zealand· 2025-04-08
High Court Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith presided over the case involving Isreal Brambila.
Mexican ‘tourist’ Isreal Brambila busted with $360,000 in cash and almost 14kg of methamphetamineNew Zealand· 2025-04-06
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith ordered Rory Stephens to serve a rare indeterminate sentence of preventive detention.
Indefinite sentence ordered for Auckland 501 Rory Stephens after child sex abuse in Australia and NZNew Zealand· 2025-04-03
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith made the order for forfeiture of $77,345.
Auckland man arrested in cannabis raid claims $77k was from window-washing, cash now seizedNew Zealand· 2025-03-29
Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith ordered the money be handed over to the Crown in the 'interests of justice'.
Hamilton man Royce Khan gets home detention, loses $57,000 after drugs found in traffic stopNew Zealand· 2025-03-21