Kelston Boys’ teacher Murray Sakey convicted of child sex abuse, had priors for child exploitation images
Former teacher Murray Sakey has been convicted of sexually abusing two boys in New Zealand. The conviction followed a trial where victims came forward after learning of Sakey's previous history with child exploitation material.
Why it matters
The case highlights the importance of legal transparency and the impact of historical reporting on enabling victims to seek justice.
Murray Sakey was convicted of child sex abuse in the Auckland District Court in September 2026.
An Auckland jury has found former Kelston Boys’ High School teacher and published author Murray Sakey guilty of sexually abusing two boys.
During the trial, the retiree accepted he was attracted to children, had undertaken shirtless photo shoots with one of the victims and slept in a bed with both boys, but denied ever sexually abusing them.
The jury of 11 men and one woman were not convinced.
Sakey, now in his mid 70s, was found guilty last week in the Auckland District Court of seven indecency charges, but was acquitted of one count of threatening to kill.
Up until Friday, Sakey had interim name suppression in relation to the abuse. It meant the Herald was unable to report his identity or reveal that he was convicted of possessing child exploitation material in 2024.
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