11 NZers convicted of child porn charges last year

Eleven New Zealanders were convicted last year on charges relating to internet child pornography, Department of Internal Affairs figures released today showed.

The 11 were convicted on charges which included trading, advertising and possession of child pornography.

"At any one time another 20-25 cases were before the courts," the department's general manager of the gaming and censorship regulation group, Keith Manch, said in a statement.

The highest penalty to date, two years imprisonment and fines and costs totalling $21,000, was imposed on Auckland man Glenn William Roberts.

"This case highlighted New Zealand's strong links with overseas enforcement agencies," Mr Manch said.

"United States Customs agents came here to gather information for their investigation, which is now resulting in arrests and prosecutions in the United States.

"In other cases, the department's inspectors shared information with Australian, British, Canadian, German, Norwegian and Swedish enforcement agencies and with Interpol."

The Films Videos and Publications Classification Act is currently being reviewed, with the Government indicating it will look at higher penalties for child pornography convictions.

At present trading child pornography carries a penalty of up to one year imprisonment and a fine of up to $20,000 per charge. Possession of child pornography carries a fine of up to $2000 per charge.

- NZPA