James Pitiroi sentenced in Whangārei for the rape, sexual abuse of children
WARNING: This article discusses sexual abuse and may be upsetting to some readers.
Three young children were preyed on, groomed and repeatedly sexually abused by a man who exploited vulnerabilities within their family to gain access to them.
Now, James Reorirangi Pitiroi has been sent back to prison for the offending, described by a judge as depraved.
The 40-year-old appeared in the Whangārei District Court after pleading guilty in July to sexual violation, unlawful sexual connection and rape involving two children.
In 2020, he was sentenced to two years and four months’ imprisonment for sexual offending against one child before the two additional complainants came forward, leading to further charges.
Originally from Rotorua, he had come to Northland while facing personal difficulties, but went on to offend against the children.
According to the summary of facts, Pitiroi sexually violated the children on several occasions, often when family members were nearby.
One of the victims said they would freeze and pretend to be asleep as Pitiroi took opportunities to rape them, including when they were as young as 10 years old.
Crown lawyer Bernadette O’Connor said the victims were articulate about how the offending had affected their lives.
“This man has systematically preyed upon these three,” she said.
O’Connor said the latest two victims were in primary school at the time and submitted that a starting point of 16 years’ imprisonment was appropriate.
Pitiroi’s lawyer Connor Taylor said his client was remorseful and read from a letter he had written.
“How do you say sorry? You can’t say sorry. You can’t show sorry. It’s not the victims’ fault I was addicted to drugs,” Pitiroi said in the letter.
Judge Philip Rzepecky said the victim impact statements were impressive and showed bravery.
“It wasn’t something that I simply got over. It changed the course of my childhood and has continued to affect the person I have become,” one said.
“While I refuse to let it define my future, it will always be part of my story.”
Judge Rzepecky said that, at the time, Pitiroi was engaged in significant methamphetamine and alcohol use and had used the children for his own sexual gratification in a depraved way.
“As reflected in what the [pre-sentence] report describes as your offending-related factors, being your lifestyle, substance abuse, your attitudes, particularly an inflated sense of self-worth and harmful sexual behaviours.”
The report found Pitiroi preyed on challenges facing the victims’ family, which enabled him to gain access to the children and groom them.
“You admit that you knew this was wrong and you did nothing to stop your offending.”
After his release from prison in 2021, Corrections said he appeared to have turned a corner and engaged in several rehabilitation programmes.
Judge Rzepecky sentenced Pitiroi to 10 years’ imprisonment on the new charges.
He will be required to serve half of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Shannon Pitman is a Whangārei-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the Te Tai Tokerau region. She is of Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Pūkenga descent and has worked in digital media for the past five years. She joined NZME in 2023.
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