Five years imprisonment for child sexual exploitation material reoffender
10 December 2025
A 55-year-old man has been sentenced to five years and two months' imprisonment after appearing at the Christchurch District Court on 9 December 2025. Alexandre Harpur pled guilty to 19 charges for distributing and possessing objectionable images depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of babies and children and creating adult bestiality material. Harpur has previously been convicted on charges of this nature as well as other more serious charges involving contact offending against children in 2011.
The Department’s Digital Child Exploitation Team initiated an investigation in January 2025 after the offender began digitally communicating with a Covert Online Investigator (COI) and in various messages indicated he had a sexual interest in children, bestiality and incest. Harpur subsequently distributed multiple objectionable publications to the COI.
A search warrant was executed at his home in May of this year where investigators located and seized multiple devices. Forensic analysis of the devices identified objectionable publications and records of disturbing and highly sexualised online chat conversations with other users. In the files located on the offender’s phone, 18 involved child abuse or exploitation material depicting the sexual abuse of infant children under the age of 2 years of age.
The offender was found in possession of 514 files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, he knowingly distributed 172 of these to other offenders on several different online platforms. He also made five objectionable publications depicting adult bestiality.
“Anyone thinking of producing, accessing or sharing material that depicts the exploitation or abuse of children should be warned that they cannot hide behind online anonymity. We can and will use all resources at our disposal to identify you and put you before the courts,” says Tim Houston, Manager Digital Child Exploitation Team.
“Despite spending time in prison for previous sexual offending against a child, this man has chosen to engage in illegal and extreme communication with others regarding the sexual exploitation and abuse of infants. At times, he has clearly led theses communications and has shown a determined and sustained interest in physical child sexual abuse, and child sexual exploitation imagery”.
The devices used by Harpur to store and access child sexual exploitation material will be destroyed, by order of the Judge, and he will be registered on the Child Sex Offender Register.
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
