R v Tuai - [2026] NZHC 204

Defendant sentenced after being found guilty of two charges of rape; six charges of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection; eight charges of indecent assault; assault with a weapon; and two charges of dealing in slaves. The defendant controlled the victims' finances, freedom of movement and communication, and used actual or threatened violence. The defendant began sexually offending against the female victim when she was in her teens, and raped her on two occasions.

Held: Starting point of 14 years' imprisonment for the sexual offending, uplifted by five years for the charges of slavery. The Court considered that the charges of slavery alone would have attracted a starting point of nine years' imprisonment. Discount of five percent for the impact of imprisonment on the defendant, having been a former corrections officer, and a discount of five per cent for the impact of imprisonment on the defendant's ailing wife. Another discount of nine months to reflect the time the defendant has spent on electronically monitored bail. No discount for previous good character. End sentence of 16 years and four months' imprisonment, with a minimum period of imprisonment of 50 per cent of the end sentence. Protection orders granted under s 123B of the Sentencing Act 2002.