Hamilton IT Manager admits to sharing child sexual exploitation files
12 December 2025
Matthew Daniel Gregory, 33, has been sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment following an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua’s (DIA) Digital Child Exploitation Team. The Hamilton IT Manager pled guilty to 19 charges relating to distributing and possessing child sexual exploitation and abuse files.
DIA began an investigation after receiving 19 CyberTip Line Reports from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) between August 2021 to May 2023 originating from a range of social media platforms relating to accounts later attributed to Gregory.
On 16 November 2023, a search warrant obtained under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 was executed at his residential address where several devices belonging to Gregory were seized for forensic examination.
During the search warrant and whilst being formally interviewed, Gregory admitted his offending and creating fake profiles to avoid detection when sharing child sexual abuse material.
Forensic analysis found that three of his devices contained a total of 1067 objectionable publications in the form of child sexual exploitation material which exploits the sexual abuse and harm of real children. Other illegal material found depicted adult bestiality and computer-generated sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
In April 2024, during the ongoing investigation, a further eleven NCMEC CyberTip Line Reports were identified and related to Gregory for offending between August 2021 to March 2023.
Tim Houston, Manager Digital Child Exploitation Team says, “The Department and its partners, across Aotearoa and overseas, are committed to protecting children and prosecuting anyone involved in their harm.”
“When offenders share this horrific material, they contribute to a cycle of abuse. Stopping that cycle is at the heart of what we do.”
Gregory has been placed on the child sex offender register and all devices involved in the offending will be destroyed.
In 2024, the Digital Child Exploitation team conducted 69 investigations into child exploitation and helped to safeguard 14 New Zealand children from harm. Additionally, the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System blocked over one million attempts to access websites hosting child sexual abuse material.
Support and Resources
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage with their tamariki about safe online practices. Advice and support for parents and caregivers on protecting their children online is available at KeepItRealOnline.govt.nz.
If you have concerns about potential online harm or wish to report a crime, contact the Digital Child Exploitation Team at DIA. For situations where abuse is occurring or a child is in immediate danger, contact the Police at 111.
- Victims of child or sexual abuse crimes can access help and support services by contacting: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/child-abuse-directory-information-and-support
- Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334 Text 4334
If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s sexual behaviour, please reach out for support:
- Safe Network: 09 377 9898
- WellStop: 04 566 4745
- STOP: 03 353 0257
- Stand Strong, Walk Tall
Notes for media:
DIA uses the term child sexual abuse imagery (PDF, 625KB). The term child pornography downplays the harm of child sexual abuse.
For more information on the role of the Digital Child Exploitation Team, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit https://www.dia.govt.nz/Preventing-Online-Child-Sexual-Exploitation
