A senior first responder has appeared in court today facing multiple counts of exporting and possessing material depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
The charges have been brought against the man in his 50s by Customs New Zealand.
He was arrested yesterday and held in custody overnight ahead of his first appearance in the Christchurch District Court.
The man was called after 10am today before Community Magistrate Elder Robati.
Court documents outline five charges against the man.
He faces four counts of 鈥渒nowingly concerned in the exportation of one objectionable publication depicting the sexual exploitation of children鈥.
On April 26, he allegedly exported one objectionable publication.
On April 30, he is accused of exporting five publications. This charge is representative, which means Customs believes he committed multiple offences of the same type in similar circumstances.
On May 1, he is accused of exporting 14 objectionable publications. This is also a representative charge.
On May 2, he allegedly exported another two publications - another representative charge.
On May 6, he faces a single charge of exporting one publication.
The final charge states that between January 13 and June 1 this year, the man, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, was in possession of 19 objectionable publications depicting child sexual abuse.
The man鈥檚 lawyer, Craig Ruane, sought suppression of the man鈥檚 name and occupation on the basis that he wanted time to inform his family and employer. He added that continuation of suppression was unlikely to be sought at his next appearance.
He also sought bail for the man.
The Herald opposed the suppression of the man鈥檚 employer at least.
Community Magistrate Robati granted the man bail, putting conditions in place prohibiting him from using the internet, having contact with children or leaving the country.
He granted the suppression order, giving no reason or explanation for his decision.
The man will appear in court again in two months, giving Customs time to carry out forensic examinations of devices seized from his home yesterday during the execution of a search warrant.
The man鈥檚 employer could not comment while the matter was before the courts.
Customs said the man was arrested following an investigation that began in April 2025.
鈥淐ustoms investigators conducted a search warrant at the man鈥檚 home, which led to his arrest and the seizure of electronic devices for further forensic examination,鈥 said a spokesperson.
鈥淗e currently faces multiple charges relating to the possession and exportation of objectionable publications, which both carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
鈥淐ustoms is unable to provide further comments while this matter is before the courts.鈥
Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on
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