Auckland man jailed for 28 months for distributing child sexual exploitation material
28 August 2025
A 38-year-old Auckland man has been sentenced to 28 months in prison following an investigation by Department of Internal Affairs’ Digital Child Exploitation Team.
Karl Dallison pled guilty to nine representative charges of possessing and distributing objectionable material, including images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, as well as acts of bestiality. The sentence was delivered at the Auckland District Court on 27 August 2025.
The investigation began when Dallison became a person of interest in an international law enforcement agency operation that the Digital Child Exploitation team was assisting with, which prompted a separate investigation.
Search warrants executed at multiple addresses linked to Dallison led to the seizure of several electronic devices which contained 6,263 images of sexual exploitation, including the abuse of children as young as 18 months old.
“This material represents the worst moments in a child’s life, captured and shared by offenders. We are committed to holding those who fuel the demand for this horrific material accountable, preventing the further re-victimisation of children, and ensuring justice is served,” says Tim Houston, Manager of the Digital Child Exploitation Team.
“The Digital Child Exploitation Team is committed to protecting New Zealanders from online harm, including the prevention and detection of child sexual exploitation material.”
As part of Dallison’s sentence, he will be registered as a child sex offender for eight years.
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
-ENDS-
Notes for media:
DIA uses the term child sexual abuse imagery. 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
