The man appeared at a special hearing of the Wellington District Court this morning. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A man has been arrested by Customs and charged with the possession and importation of child sex abuse publications, after a tip-off by an overseas child protection organisation.
The New Zealand Customs Service said in a media release the 42-year-old Filipino national arrived at Wellington Airport on Saturday after a holiday in the Philippines.
Customs manager investigations Cam Moore said a search was carried out at his Wairarapa home today, after they were alerted to the alleged offending by an overseas-based social media chat platform and the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
The man was arrested after investigators found child sexual abuse images on two of his phones. He appeared at a special hearing at the Wellington District Court this morning.
He was charged with possession and importation of objectionable publications that depict the sexual abuse of children, with each charge carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
The man was granted bail and his next appearance was set for February.
Customs said further charges were possible as investigators continued to carry out forensic analysis of the man's devices.
Moore said the reporting of online sexual exploitation of children continued to increase every year in New Zealand.
"This is abhorrent offending, with real victims and real consequences," he said.
Moore said Customs was working with police and the Department of Internal Affairs, as well as global partners to tackle cross-border offending.
Customs is asking anyone with concerns about someone trading or producing child sexual abuse content to contact them confidentially on 0800 937 768, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.