The Department of Internal Affairs

Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua

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Auckland man caught with over 64,000 files of child sexual exploitation material


1 May 2026

A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to 35 months imprisonment at the Auckland District Court, following an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs’ Digital Child Exploitation Team.

Initially, Reopoamo Darklie Tufuga denied his offending, but due to the overwhelming evidence he later changed his plea and pled guilty to two representative charges related to the distribution and possession of objectionable material depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.

A search warrant executed at his home on 23 May 2023, led to the seizure of several electronic devices. Forensic analysis of these devices and a digital storage account uncovered he was in possession of 64,157 objectionable image and videos files.

These files included the rape and torture of babies and very young children, with other material found showing adult bestiality and necrophilia. The forensic examination also found Tufuga had distributed at least 17,924 files depicting child sexual exploitation to three other individuals.

“The vast number of objectionable files in the offender's possession is deeply disturbing. It is crucial that he has been brought to justice and prevented from causing any further harm,” says Tim Houston, Manager of the Digital Child Exploitation Team.

“Distributing child sexual abuse material and interacting with other offenders cultivates dangerous behaviours and increases the risk of physical harm to children.”

As part of Tufuga’s sentence, Judge Sellars KC ordered he be registered as a child sex offender and for all electronic devices used during the offending to be destroyed.

ENDS

Support and Resources
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage with their tamariki about safe online practices. Guidance on protecting 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.

If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s sexual behaviour, please reach out for support:  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

Media Contact:
Media Desk - Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs
Mobile: +64 27 535 8639
Email: media@dia.govt.nz