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A man in his 20s has been granted permanent name suppression and sentenced to two years’ intensive supervision and six months’ community detention this week following an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs’ (DIA) Digital Child Exploitation team.
The offender had earlier pleaded guilty to four representative charges relating to the distribution and possession of online child sexual abuse material.
He became a person of interest to DIA after it received three referrals from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) with an email address that, through investigation, was attributed to the offender.
A search warrant was then executed at his home address in New Zealand, where investigators located and seized two devices for further examination.
Forensic analysis of the devices found movie and image files depicting child sexual exploitation and abuse with children as young as 21 months of age.
“These images capture a real crime scene,” Tim Houston, Manager of the Digital Child Exploitation Team, says.
“Child sexual exploitation material depicts real children who have been sexually abused and exploited for these files to be created.”
As part of the man’s sentence, the judge ordered the iPhone used during the offending to be forfeited and all objectionable material destroyed.
In 2024, the Digital Child Exploitation team conducted 69 investigations into child exploitation and helped to safeguard 14 New Zealand children from harm.
Additionally, its filtering system blocked over one million attempts to access websites hosting child sexual abuse material.
Support and resources
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage with their children about safe online practices.
Advice and support for parents and caregivers on protecting their children online is available at KeepItRealOnline.govt.nz.
People who have concerns about potential online harm or wish to report a crime can contact the Digital Child Exploitation Team at DIA.
For situations where abuse is occurring or a child is in immediate danger, phone police on 111.
Victims of child or sexual abuse crimes can access help and support services by contacting: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/child-abuse-directory-information-and-support
Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334 Text 4334
If you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s sexual behaviour, reach out for support:
Safe Network: 09 377 9898
WellStop: 04 566 4745
STOP: 03 353 0257
