He admitted using a computer and occasionally coming across images and moving picture files that may be deemed objectionable.
A forensic examination of the seized computer equipment revealed Dixon had installed a file-sharing application and loaded 17 image files that contained names that referred to sex or sexual activities.
Dixon said he had only installed the programme to obtain music.
Crown prosecutor David Stevens said it was serious offending that could attract a short prison term.
Dixon's lawyer Arthur Fairley said his client accepted responsibility from day one and had good family support.
A letter from counselling services' provider Miriam Centre and another from Dixon's employer which Judge Duncan Harvey described as "outstanding" were tendered in court.
Judge Harvey said Dixon became addicted to viewing objectionable material and was glad that it came to an end because it prevented the situation from getting worse.
Dixon was fined $450 on two charges of distributing objectionable material and a similar amount on the other charge.
He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours' community work.
Alan Bell, national director of child sexual exploitation prevention group ECPAT NZ Child Alert, said there was a lack of consistency in sentencing of internet offenders.
"Some of the sentences handed out to these paedophiles are not strong enough at times and don't act as a deterrent to other, similar offenders.
"We feel there should only be name suppression if the safety of the child victim is at risk, not to protect the offender. We want them named and shamed."
Internal Affairs said internet paedophiles could still be traced, even if they only looked at the images on an internet site as everything is traceable on a computer.
