Wiparera Paraire pleads guilty in Auckland court to running underage prostitution ring

On 8th May, a 27-year-old Auckland man pleaded guilty in the High Court to sexually exploiting a 14-year-old girl and recruiting her underage friends, facing up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Court documents reveal Paraire ignored explicit police warnings about the victim’s age during their illegal relationship, coercing her into recruiting peers via Snapchat. Paraire groomed recruits using nude photos and social media profiles, disregard for legal boundaries, and the organised, tech-driven nature of child sexual exploitation in Aotearoa.

Note on terminology: The use of the phrases like ‘child prostitution’ don’t accurately portray what is happening in child sexual exploitation situations. They incorrectly imply consent is possible, indicate legitimacy and compliance on the victim’s part, and suggest legality on the abuser’s part.