Auckland police charge man who allegedly indecently assaulted high school girl on Auckland bus

WARNING: This article discusses allegations of sexual assault and may be upsetting to some readers.

• A 49-year-old man allegedly indecently assaulted an Auckland Girls’ Grammar School student on a bus today.
• A passenger on the number 18 bus on Great North Rd stepped in and stopped the man
• The man will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow, charged with indecent assault.

The Auckland man who allegedly indecently assaulted a high school girl on a bus today has been charged by police.

A police spokesperson said the man sought over the incident is now in custody.

“The 49-year-old man is being charged with indecent assault and will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow.

“Police would again like to thank the public for their swift response to our appeal.”

Another passenger on the number 18 bus on Great North Rd intervened in the incident and stopped the man.

About 8.40 this morning, a Herald reporter on the bus heard a passenger yelling “perv” and asking the driver to pull over. Another person was heard saying “you don’t treat women like that”, while another was heard sobbing.

After the man was kicked off, he stood outside and made an indecent hand gesture towards the bus.

Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said the man got on at a stop near King St, in Grey Lynn.

“He sat down next to a high school student and [allegedly] touched her inappropriately,” Friend said.

“This was witnessed by a passenger, who quickly intervened and stopped what was taking place.”

The man got off near Maidstone St, Friend said.

Friend hailed the actions of the witness.

“The witness did an incredible job in coming to the assistance of the student,” he said.

“We are aware that the witness and another passenger supported the girl and walked her safely to school.”

The high schooler has been given “appropriate welfare” support after the incident.

Friend said police were confident the public would know this man and contact police.

Less than an hour after announcing their appeal for information, police said they were no longer seeking information on the man’s identity.

People with information were asked to contact 105 and reference file number 250312/9531 or to provide it anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man has been charged after allegedly indecently assaulting a high school girl on a bus on March 12, 2025.

AT director of public transport and active modes, Stacey van der Putten said AT was shocked to hear of the incident.

“Assaults against passengers travelling on Auckland’s public transport are incredibly rare but when they do occur they are taken very seriously by AT and Police,” she said in a statement.

“Our team is working with the bus company to support Police.”

Van der Putten also thanked the “courageous passengers” who intervened.

“The actions of these fellow passengers this morning shows how important it is for communities to stand up against behaviour that has no place anywhere in our society.”

Auckland Girls’ Grammar principal Ngaire Ashmore said the incident was a traumatic experience and their student showed tremendous bravery.

“We are thankful to the passengers on the bus who intervened and supported our student to school. We are also grateful to the Police for their quick action. We have recently been notified that an arrest has been made,” she said.

“We wanted to let our school community know of the incident and ask if you would talk to your daughters about looking out for each other on public transport and letting an adult know if someone is behaving inappropriately.”

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