Rotorua: Man admits taking girl, 3, with intent to have sexual connection

John Tekuru in an earlier appearance via AVL in the Rotorua District Court. Photo / Kelly Makiha

Warning: This article contains distressing content.

A man has admitted unlawfully taking a 3-year-old girl from a childcare centre with the intent to have sexual connection with her.

John Tekuru, 19, appeared in the Rotorua District Court today, charged with unlawfully taking the girl from a Rotorua early childhood centre with the intent to have sexual connection with her on March 10.

The name of the early childhood centre is permanently suppressed to protect the girl’s identity.

Tekuru first appeared in court on March 11, but details surrounding the case were suppressed, along with his name. Suppression was subsequently lifted.

Tekuru‘s lawyer, Scott Mills, entered Tekuru’s guilty plea at today’s appearance.

Mills suggested the court consider allocating a 90-minute slot for sentencing because of “a number of complicating features”.

Judge Anna Skellern agreed to this.

Mills said there were two “very helpful and thorough” Section 38 reports - a report to check if a person is mentally fit to stand trial.

“I’m content that they have what I need to make a submission that I need to make, but whether the court thinks that a section 38 report would assist the court ... ”

Judge Skellern said she believed the court “probably” had what it needed, and said Tekuru would be remanded in custody for sentencing on January 23, 2026.

She directed a pre-sentence report and no additional Section 38 reports.

The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.