Judge allows alleged Matangi burnout basher to be named

Thursday, 30 April 2026

A Hamilton Judge has declined defence counsel requests for interim name suppression for one of the boy racers who allegedly bashed a Matangi couple and later tried to “staunch out” a Hamilton judge.

Ztanlee Pira faces two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, one charge of driving while disqualified and one charge of operating a motor vehicle causing a sustained loss of traction.

Pira appeared at Hamilton District Court on Thursday, via audiovisual link.

The appearance went off without incident, unlike his last appearance on March 6 when he tried to “staunch out” Judge Noel Cocurullo after he removed Pira’s supporters from the gallery for making gang signs.

When he asked for Pira to be removed from the dock, it also prompted an angry outburst.

Shouting could also be heard as Pira was removed from the court, and a woman in the gallery called to him “I love you baby”.

He asked security to remove the man from the gallery, telling the court “the next person is going to be arrested and thrown in a cell”.

“If he has an audience he will continue to perform,” he said.

Judge Tompkins also rejected a request from Pira’s lawyer, Jarom Keung, for his client to have interim name suppression.

“His first name is easily identifiable,” he told Judge Tompkins.

“Could prejudice fair trial rights.”

Judge Tompkins rejected the name suppression call, but did grant defence requests to prevent the Waikato Times from taking Pira’s photograph.

Pira will reappear for a pre-trial hearing on July 2.

The alleged offending took place on February 28. Police later confirmed two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries.