Bishop blasts Green MP’s written support after ‘paint-bomb’ vandal is convicted

Summarised by Centrist

National MP Chris Bishop highlighted an NZ Herald report about Auckland barrister Hannah Swedlund (28), who admitted helping plan and carry out a two-month spree of red-paint “bomb” attacks on the electorate offices of National MPs,  including PM Christopher Luxon,  plus the US Consulate and MFAT. 

Why did Green MP Ricardo Menendez March write a letter of support for someone who went on a vandalism spree of MPs’ offices? Extraordinary. pic.twitter.com/Ze5GPWWaJa

— Christopher Bishop (@cjsbishop) September 6, 2025

Swedlund sought a discharge without conviction, but Judge Belinda Sellers refused and imposed a non-custodial sentence with a conviction and reparation, noting there were nine incidents across three nights, “well thought-out planning,” and that as an officer of the court she “should have known better.” Clean-up costs were put at just over $5,000; two co-defendants will be sentenced later.

Bishop’s post questioned why Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March wrote a letter of support for Swedlund (alongside a letter from her employer) presented to the court. Menéndez March told the Herald he wanted the judge to have a full picture of Swedlund’s character from prior advocacy work; the judge still determined a conviction was warranted.

Read more over on X and The NZ Herald (paywalled)

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