29 Jun 2017

John Banks makes no contact with court on paternity case

2:03 pm on 29 June 2017

Former cabinet minister and Auckland mayor John Banks is continuing to ignore a paternity court case against him.

John Banks addresing the media after the Court of Appeal cancelled an order he should be retried on a charge relating to election expenses

John Banks addresing the media after the Court of Appeal cancelled an order he should be retried on a charge relating to election expenses Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

Anthony Shaw, 47, says Mr Banks is his father and he is seeking a formal declaration of that in the High Court in Auckland.

At a hearing today, Justice Muir said Mr Banks had been served with court papers but had not made any contact with the court regarding the matter.

Neither Mr Banks nor Mr Shaw, who now lives in Japan, were at today's hearing, which was to decide the manner in which the case would be heard.

Justice Muir ruled the case could be heard through documents, rather than witnesses needing to be present.

Mr Banks has been given until 14 July to file any intention to oppose Mr Shaw's claims, and until the end of that mont to file any supporting affadavits or evidence.