Warning: This article discusses child abuse material

A rich-lister who a chatbot wrongly claimed was a wealthy Kiwi family member convicted of having “extreme” child abuse material says the real culprit should name himself.

“The public have a right to know people have done such things and these folks should not have permanent name suppression,” falsely identified businessman Wayne Wright jnr told the Herald.

The defendant was sentenced on Friday by Auckland District Court Judge Maria Pecotic for knowingly possessing thousands of objectionable material files and knowingly importing the content.

The man’s name, his family’s name and their high-profile company were permanently suppressed, the NBR reported.

Customs, which prosecuted the individual, told the Herald it was discussing a possible appeal with the Crown.

The man has been placed on the child sex offender register.

Customs said in 2023, a New Zealand-based man was discovered to be distributing objectionable publications, using peer-to-peer file-sharing software.

Customs child exploitation operations chief Simon Peterson said the agency executed a search warrant in June last year at the man’s home and seized six electronic devices.

“Further forensic analysis uncovered 11,775 objectionable files, including extreme child sexual abuse involving bestiality, pre-pubescent children and toddlers. One device contained over 240 hours of video of child sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Peterson said importing and possessing child sexual abuse material was never passive or harmless.

Simon Peterson is in charge of the Child Exploitation and Operations Team at Customs. Photo / Greenstone TV

“It fuels a dark industry, which carries devastating, life-long consequences for the victims, whose abuse is reproduced and consumed by offenders all over the world.”

Yesterday, X’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok wrongly stated that Wright, who funded The Platform media company, appeared to be the person at the centre of the case.

Wayne Wright jnr.

It said this was based on social media speculation in its wrongful claim.

The Herald can confirm this accusation is false.

Wright said the defendant should come clean with their identity, no matter the consequences.

He urged the man to have his suppression lifted.

Wright believed name suppression should not be available if someone was jailed, with an exception if any children involved could be impacted by publication.

The false claim on Grok.

Wright told the Herald he had written to X’s owner, Elon Musk, saying the Grok software might need some work and requesting it be fixed.

The NBR reported the man was jailed for two years and five months.

A Customs spokesman said an appeal against name suppression required consent from the Solicitor-General, or her delegate.

Where to get help:
If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:
• Call 0800 044 334
• Text 4334
• Email [email protected]
• For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nz
Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues such as sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.