Anger over New Zealand court leniency on Maori king’s son draws fire

New Zealand's courts face criticism after the son of the Maori king escaped conviction on theft and drink-driving charges because it could jeopardise his chances of inheriting the title.

Korotangi Paki, 19, pleaded guilty to the charges but a judge discharged him without conviction on Thursday, saying he needed an "unblemished" record if he was to succeed his father, King Tuheitia.

Critics said the decision amounted to special treatment for the young royal and other indigenous New Zealanders were not treated so leniently by the court system.

"It is time, perhaps, that judges come back to this planet and recognise that their job is to apply justice equally to everybody," former Maori affairs minister Dover Samuels, who has an indigenous background, told commercial radio.

Auckland University law professor Bill Hodge said the courts should not make decisions based on the impact they could have on succession planning.

"That is up to the Maori authorities in question, not a matter of New Zealand law and to that extent is one law for common people and another law for royalty," Hodge said. "That is not equal opportunity and it is not democratic."