By Anne-Marie de Bruin, Gisborne Herald of 
A Gisborne teen accused of threatening to kill a Member of Parliament has appeared in the Gisborne District Court. File photo Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A Gisborne youth accused of threatening to kill a Member of Parliament made his first appearance in the Gisborne District Court today.
The man, aged 19, has interim name suppression until at least another appearance set for 23 October.
The alleged victim was Green Party MP Benjamin Doyle, who announced their resignation last month.
Police at the time said they had undertaken investigations into 10 reported threats against Doyle.
The youth's conditions include not to associate with the MP, and not to threaten violence to person or property.
Charging documents state the youth made his threat to kill earlier this year.
The charge carries a maximum term of seven years in prison.
The youth is also charged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act.
During the same period, he is alleged to have posted Instagram messages with the intent to cause harm and which allegedly caused serious emotional distress.
This carries a maximum penalty of two years' jail and a maximum fine of $50,000.
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