A 50-year-old Tongan man in Gisborne, New Zealand was sentenced to 140 hours of community work by the Gisborne District Court after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his son with a kafa (taovala belt).

The age of the man’s son was not revealed but according to Judge Josephine Bouchier of the Gisborne District Court, the father gave his son a hiding with a kafa for refusing to read the bible.

Judge Bouchier stated in her ruling that she was aware of Tongan customs that sanctioned hidings but said that this was not acceptable in New Zealand and that it was considered a crime under New Zealand law.

Judge Bouchier noted that the father was well regarded by his son’s school as a good father. She also noted that the father and son had improved their relationship and had recently watched an international rugby game together between New Zealand and Tonga.