Review of historic Adult Sexual Assault and Child Protection cases - Operation Hark
In July 2026, Police announced the start of Operation Hark, the Police response to historic Adult Sexual Assault and Children Protection cases requiring reinvestigation.
Police place a high priority on investigating child protection complaints and adult sexual assaults – these are the crimes and the victims that must always be a focus for our staff and following a rapid review of concerning cases managed by one senior officer, Police have reopened a number of serious crime investigations.
Concerns were raised in May 2026 about the management of one historic case, and that initial case sparked a further review where another 13 cases were identified as requiring re-investigation. All these cases have been reassigned, and all victims have been contacted.
Operation Hark has pulled together a team of specialist child protection and adult sexual assault investigators to work on the re-opened cases.
Police undertook a rapid review of close to 1000 files which were under the oversight of the senior officer whilst working in different locations over a three-year period from May 2023, with a further 40 cases identified for re-investigation.
An internal assurance audit of all districts and service centres confirmed for Police that there were not wider systemic issues.
We have engaged external support agencies to offer support to the complainants in these cases.
Police take our commitment to victims seriously and as part of this process, we will be working to further strengthen our processes. We are working with Oranga Tamariki, IPCA and other agencies, as we progress this matter.
While this issue is extremely concerning for Police, it does not reflect the dedication and work of officers across the country who work every day to prevent, respond and resolve crime with victims at the centre of everything they do.
The officer involved is currently subject to an employment process of which the details cannot be discussed.
Police have self-referred this matter to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
Support for Victims
Support is available to anyone of any age who has experienced sexual violence or alternatively is the victim of child physical abuse. This includes adults who have experienced sexual assault, or you may be an adult supporting a child who may have been physically assaulted.
If the assault or abuse happened in the past:
- You can report a rape or sexual assault if it happened days, weeks, months or years ago.
- If you want to report a sexual assault or physical child abuse, you can report to Police at any time.
- If a report has already been made and you do not wish Police to proceed with an investigation, you can change your mind at any time.
- Contact the Police Officer who has been in contact with you about your report. Or call 105, report online at www.police.govt.nz/use-105, or visit your nearest Police station.
External Advisory Panel
Police has established an External Advisory Panel to provide independent expertise to assist in the oversight of Adult Sexual Assault and Child Protection case management.
The Advisory Panel will provide important victims-focussed oversight for the review of historic Adult Sexual Assault and Child Protection cases that have been reopened under the umbrella operation name Hark.
The Panel is made up of independent, expert advisors on support for Victims of Sexual Assault, both adult and children. They are representative of the large number of advocates and agencies throughout the country who are dedicated to dealing with victims of harm.
Joint Assurance Panel
Police and Oranga Tamariki have established a joint Assurance Panel to provide strategic and operational oversight of how these cases are being managed, and to provide reassurance that our systems and protocols for managing the investigations, and our support for victims, are robust, and keeping people safe.
This is very much about ensuring that our work as Police investigators, our links to support for victims, and our work as a responsible government agency is at the standard it needs to be.
Membership is made up of Police and Oranga Tamariki senior leaders including Assistant Commissioners, the Police Chief Assurance Officer, senior Investigators, and Oranga Tamariki executives.
Media statements
The following media statements have been provided in response to media queries when material updates are available.