R v Erikson - [2025] NZHC 1252

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND CHRISTCHURCH REGISTRY

I TE KŌTI MATUA O AOTEAROA ŌTAUTAHI ROHE

CRI-2023-009-007536 [2025] NZHC 1252

THE KING

v

SHERRYN ELIZABETH ERIKSON

Hearing: 20 May 2025 Appearances: W F Taffs for Crown
M J Taylor-Cyphers for Defendant

Judgment: 20 May 2025

SENTENCING REMARKS OF PRESTON J

R v ERIKSON [2025] NZHC 1252 [20 May 2025]

[1] Sherryn Erikson you appear for sentence today at the age of 52 having pleaded guilty to a representative charge of permitting premises to be used for supplying class A drugs1.

[2] As I am sure you are aware, that offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

[3] Your offending came to light as a result of a police investigation called Operation Italian Sky. That investigation uncovered a multi-million-dollar methamphetamine and cocaine supply network based in Christchurch which was operated by the Tribesmen Motorcycle Gang (Tribesmen MC) between September 2021 and October 2023.

[4] Members of the gang involved in the supply network arranged for the delivery of cash to Auckland and the return transportation of kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Auckland to Christchurch. The drugs were carried on commercial airline flights, or by road and passenger ferries.

[5] One of the people involved in this operation was Jordan Rapana, your nephew. Mr Rapana was responsible for collecting the drugs in Auckland and bringing them to Christchurch by road or on commercial flights. He would return to Auckland with large quantities of cash to pay for subsequent shipments.

[6] Another person involved as a courier was Tramayne Rauhihi. Mr Rauhihi was also responsible for delivery of cash within that cycle up to Auckland and he would return to Christchurch with methamphetamine and cocaine, completing those deliveries using tow trucks associated with the business of another co-defendant, Blake Harpur.

[7] Your two sons, Michael Erikson and Jaxxon Erikson were also involved in the drug supply network.

1 Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, s 12(1) and (2)(a): maximum penalty 10 years’ imprisonment.

[8] They were responsible for managing the receipt of the drugs from Mr Rapana in Christchurch and organising the onward sale and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine. Your eldest son, Michael, was very closely connected with the prime mover and principal offender of this methamphetamine and cocaine supply network, Ricky Poa. Mr Poa was the leader and the main financial beneficiary of the drug dealing activity.

[9] You were throughout this time living in Auckland. At the behest of your sons Michael and Jaxxon and your nephew Mr Rapana you allowed your home to be used on multiple occasions by Messrs Rapana, Rauhihi and Harpur as a drop off and collection point, for the exchange of cash for wholesale quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.

[10] You were paid for your involvement, either in cash or by electronic transfer to your bank account.

[11]Police established a number of payments made to you:

(a)On 31 March 2022 your son Jaxxon paid $1,350 by electronic transfer to you. This…

Grounds of appeal

[14] The appellant contends that the primary judge erred in finding that the respondent had discharged the onus of establishing the matters required under the relevant provision.

[15] It was submitted that his Honour failed to give adequate weight to the evidence of the second witness, and that the findings of fact were not reasonably open on the material before the Court.

[16] The respondent, for its part, submits that no error is disclosed, and that the conclusions reached were well within the range of outcomes available to the primary judge.

Consideration

[17] It is convenient to deal first with the question of construction, as the resolution of that issue informs the remaining grounds advanced by the appellant.

[18] For the reasons that follow, we are of the view that the appeal should be allowed in part and the matter remitted for further determination.

Continue reading R v Erikson

Details

AGLC: R v Erikson [2025] NZHC 1252
Case: [2025] NZHC 1252
Decision Date: 20 May 2025

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Sherryn Erikson was sentenced in the Christchurch Registry of the High Court of New Zealand for permitting premises to be used for supplying class A drugs, a charge carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment. The court heard that Erikson allowed her home to be used on multiple occasions by members of a drug supply network as a drop-off and collection point for the exchange of cash for methamphetamine and cocaine. The offending came to light as a result of a police investigation called Operation Italian Sky, which uncovered a multi-million-dollar drug supply network operated by the Tribesmen Motorcycle Gang. The court considered a range of cases where premises had been permitted to be used for drug supply and manufacture, and determined that Erikson's culpability was higher due to the significant quantities of drugs involved. The court adopted a starting point of three years' imprisonment, but applied a total of 50 per cent deduction for factors such as Erikson's guilty plea, personal circumstances, and rehabilitative efforts, resulting in a sentence of 18 months' imprisonment, which was commuted to nine months' home detention. Erikson was sentenced to nine months' home detention on standard conditions, with additional conditions including restrictions on her movement, employment, communication with co-offenders, and drug and alcohol use.

Orders