Former Shortland Street actor admits possessing graphic child abuse material

The actor appeared in the Auckland District Court on a possession of graphic child abuse material charge. Photo / File

A young Auckland actor who appeared more than once on Shortland Street has admitted possessing hundreds of child abuse files.

While the charge carries a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, his lawyer has indicated he is seeking a discharge without conviction.

The Herald can confirm the defendant has already had a discharge without conviction for prior sexual offending.

His application to avoid a conviction for committing an indecent act on a girl was granted in 2014 by the Taumarunui District Court. He was also granted permanent name suppression.

The Herald has also confirmed that in 2020, he stood trial on six charges, four of indecent assault on an under-12-year-old and two for unlawful sexual connection with the child.

He was acquitted of each count after a Hamilton District Court jury trial.

The actor pleaded guilty to the latest offending in December last year.

The man, who has interim name suppression, was due to be sentenced in the Auckland District Court last week on one charge of possessing objectionable material. However, the hearing was adjourned to later this year.

According to the charge sheet, the man had 514 objectionable publications, including 164 files of category 1A offending.

This is objectionable content that depicts penetrative adult-to-child abuse.

His lawyer, Rob Weir, confirmed his client was again seeking to be discharged without conviction.

Detective Sergeant Rick Veacock said that in February 2024 police conducted a search warrant at an Auckland address as part of a police investigation.

“Inquiries continued into items obtained from the address and in September 2025 a man was charged with possessing objectionable material related to child abuse.”

The actor is now due to be sentenced in August.

A spokesperson for South Pacific Pictures, the production company that creates Shortland Street, said that without knowing the identity of the person they were unable to comment.

Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues such as sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.

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