However, 93 were closed without prosecution with 47 (42.7%) not meeting the test for prosecution under Solicitor-General’s prosecution guidelines. Cooper Legal principal partner Sonja Cooper, whose firm had acted for hundreds of abuse survivors and victims, said she was not surprised by the statistic. Cooper said she could see historic claims failing both tests in the eyes of prosecutors. The prosecution guidelines should be reviewed, Clearwater said. The guidelines provide a detailed process for reviewing decisions in cases involving sexual violation,” Crown Law told RNZ.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 18, 2026 20:58 UTC