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This page last updated January 29
2006
1999-0619 - Evening Post -
Ellis tape to get judicial review
A tape and transcript of an interview between the author of a book on
convicted Christchurch childcare worker Peter Ellis and a juror from the case
had to be surrendered to the Crown by yesterday. The Court of Appeal issued
the order on Thursday and ordered the tape and transcript to be reviewed by
former High Court judge Sir Thomas Thorpe
1999-0521 - Waikato Times -
Ellis appeal delayed
The Appeal Court hearing for convicted paedophile Peter Ellis, originally set
down for May 31, will now be held in the week starting July 5
1999-0521 - The Press - Ellis
appeal set down for July hearing
NZPA - There
was a need for evidence and submissions to be prepared, "making it
necessary for the hearing previously fixed for May 31 to be vacated", he
said. Ellis's lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, is understood to have opposed
the delay
1999-0521 - Otago
Daily Times - Ellis appeal in July
The Court of Appeal hearing for convicted paedophile Peter Ellis will be held
in the week beginning July 5.
1999-0521 - Evening Post -
Ellis appeal now in July
In a statement released yesterday, a court spokesman said the appeal would
now be heard on July 5. Counsel for Ellis and the Crown discussed the new
timetable at a private hearing at the court on Monday.
1999-0521 - Dominion -
Ellis appeal moved to July hearing
The Court of Appeal hearing for convicted paedophile Peter Ellis will be held
during the week beginning July 5. It was originally set down for May 31 in Wellington. Announcing
the new date last night, the court's registrar said it was to accommodate the
widened scope of the appeal allowed by Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie
Boys
1999-0520 - Evening
Post - Peter Ellis a victim of nasty moral hysteria
by Frank MacSkasy - It must be clear to the most casual observer by now that
the case against Christchurch childcare worker Peter Ellis has completely
collapsed. Charges that he molested children while employed at the Civic
Crèche simply do not withstand scrutiny. It is therefore difficult to
comprehend why the Governor-General has not proceeded with issuing a free
pardon for Ellis.
1999-0519 - The Press -
Ellis 'distraught' at possible court delay
NZPA - Convicted
pedophile Peter Ellis was reportedly distraught after news that the Court of
Appeal had met in chambers to consider a postponement to his appeal hearing
1999-0519 - Dominion - Talk of
delay worries Ellis
Ellis's mother, Lesley, said he was "keyed up and quite upset" at
what he believed would probably result in a delayed appeal hearing
1999-0519 - Otago
Daily Times - Ellis appeal move
Convicted paedophile Peter Ellis was reportedly distraught yesterday after
news the Court of Appeal had met in chambers to consider a postponement to
his appeal hearing
1999-0519 - Gazette - Notice
Reference To The Court Of Appeal Of The Question Of The Convictions Of Peter
Hugh McGregor Ellis For Sexual Offences Against Children (No 2).
This Order in Council:
1999-0518 - NZPA
- Delay possible in Ellis appeal
Peter Ellis was reportedly distraught today after news that the
Court of Appeal had met in chambers to consider a postponement to his appeal
hearing
1999-0517 - Dominion - Widened
scope for Ellis appeal
by Alan Samson - The
possibility of contaminated evidence from children, non- disclosure by the Crown
of evidence, and jury bias are among the grounds given for the widened scope
allowed for the appeal granted to convicted paedophile Peter Ellis. The New
Zealand Gazette has published details of last week's ruling by
Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys, widening the terms under which
Ellis's case to the Court of Appeal this month can be heard.
1999-0514 - Truth - Gutless lot let
Ellis sink
Editorial - Ellis has been pilloried and imprisoned on the most
questionable of evidence. Society wanted, even demanded, a scapegoat--AND
Ellis was it. He copped 10 years' imprisonment on conviction of 16 trumped-up
charges of molesting children. But more and more people--including this
newspaper--are of the opinion Ellis has been the fall guy --but FEW have had
the guts to say so
1999-0514 – Southland
Times - Scope allowed in Ellis' appeal
Editorial - A considerable number of people will be pleased at the
ruling the Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys has arrived at in the
case of the convicted child molester Peter Ellis. Ellis has not been granted
the pardon he sought. Instead Sir Michael has agreed to a suggestion to widen
the grounds of appeal of his case to the Court of Appeal
1999-0514 - Southland Times
- Peter Ellis
by Frank Macskasy - It is disappointing that Peter Ellis has not been given a
pardon that he obviously deserves. It is blatantly clear to even the most
casual observer that Peter Ellis should never have been convicted for the
non-existent child-abuse cases at the Christchurch Civic Crèche
1999-0512 - Waikato
Times - Ellis' appeal terms widened
Justice Minister Tony Ryall said yesterday that Governor-General Sir Michael
Hardie Boys would not consider Ellis' petition for a free pardon but had
agreed to widen the terms on which his case could be referred to the Court of
Appeal
1999-0512 - The Press -
Pardon petition brings Ellis partial win
Convicted child molester Peter Ellis has had a partial win with his petition
to the Governor-General, although his request for a pardon has been turned
down for a second time.
1999-0512
- Otago Daily Times - Partial victory for Peter Ellis
Convicted child molester Peter Ellis has won a partial victory with his
petition to the Governor-General, although his request for a pardon has gone
unanswered
1999-0512 - Dominion - Pardon
for Ellis not ruled out
Convicted paedophile Peter Ellis, whose plea for a free pardon was turned
down by Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys yesterday, could still be
pardoned, the office of Justice Minister Tony Ryall said.
1999-0512 - Court of
Appeal - Reference
Reference to the Court of Appeal or the Question of the
Convictions or Peter Hugh McGregor Ellis for Sexual Offences Against Children
(No.2)
1999-0511 - Waikato Times - Ellis
pardon rejected, appeal terms widened
NZPA - Convicted
paedophile Peter Ellis has had his plea for a free pardon turned down by
Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys. But Ellis supporters are
celebrating news that Sir Michael had agreed to a second request, to widen
the terms under which his case to the Court of Appeal can be heard.
1999-0511 - Evening Post -
Gov-Gen rejects Ellis pardon plea
NZPA - Convicted
paedophile Peter Ellis has had his plea for a free pardon turned down by
Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys. But Sir Michael had agreed to a
second request, to widen the terms under which his case to the Court of
Appeal can be heard, Justice Minister Tony Ryall said today.
1999-0511 - Evening Post
- Ellis' free pardon plea rejected
Ellis petitioned the
Governor-General for a second time in November last year for the exercise of
the royal prerogative of mercy. His first petition, in December 1997,
resulted in the case being referred back to the Court of Appeal. The appeal
is due to be heard later this month. The second petition sought a free pardon
for Ellis, or alternatively for his case to be considered by the Court of Appeal
on broader grounds than previously referred
1999-0511
- Government - Governor General widens terms for appeal
The Governor-General has widened the terms on which Peter Ellis's
case has been referred to the Court of Appeal", Justice Minister, Tony
Ryall, said today.
1999-0509 - Sunday
Star Times - Finding strength in a family crisis
by Peter Hawes - This horror story has never been officially addressed and
has been left to fade slowly, like the grin of the Cheshire cat. As have, of
course, the stories of Tamihere's equally famous co-villain Peter Ellis, in
which, if I remember, Ellis transported 2000 naked boys to a UFO parked
behind comet Globbit-Spry where he poured tadpole jelly into their belly
buttons while singing Bad to the Devil on ET's cellphone
1999-05 - Cosa
Newsletter - Update on Peter Ellis
News report, by Felicity Goodyear-Smith - Peter Ellis has been much in the
news in the past few months. Alan Samson from the Dominion wrote a story summarising Prof Mike Hill’s paper
‘Satan’s Excellent Adventure in the Antipodes’
(see COSA Newsletter Oct 1998). The NZ
Listener (New evidence in the fight to clear Peter Ellis, 9 Mar
99, by Bruce Ansley, Vol. 168. No 3073, Pages 18 – 23) ran a review story of
the Crèche case
1999-0430 - Waikato Times -
Ellis' backers angered by tape report
NZPA - The
owner of a tape alleged to contain a disclosure by a juror at the Peter Ellis
trial, that the juror was sexually aroused by the evidence, should be forced
to hand over her evidence, Ellis supporters say
1999-0430 - The Press - Ellis
lawyer wants juror tape studied
By Martin Van Beynen - The lawyer for Peter Ellis wants the Ministry of
Justice to obtain an audiotape that allegedly throws further doubt on the jury
in Ellis's trial. Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, is pressing Ministry of Justice
legal counsel, who are examining the Ellis case, to use various means to
obtain the tape
1999-0430 - Dominion -
Author should hand over tape, say Ellis supporters
by Helen Bain - The owner of a tape alleged to contain a disclosure by a jury
member at the Peter Ellis trial, that he was sexually aroused by the
evidence, should be forced to hand over her evidence, Ellis supporters said
yesterday. The tape reportedly also contains an admission that the man had
professional links with the expert psychiatrist called by the prosecution at
the child abuse trial
1999-0429 - Waikato
Times - Questions raised over Ellis trial juror
NZPA - A
member of the jury that convicted Christchurch childcare worker Peter Ellis
is claimed to have said he was sexually aroused by evidence at the trial, and
had professional links with the expert psychiatrist called by the
prosecution, the Justice Ministry has been told. The alleged disclosure by
the juror in an interview with an author might not be investigated at appeal
because crucial evidence was not being made available
1999-0429 - Evening Post -
Contempt risk over Ellis juror claims
by Megan Lane - Author Lynley Hood could be in contempt of court for
interviewing a member of the jury that convicted Christchurch childcare
worker Peter Ellis. It was reported today that in an interview with Ms Hood
one of the jurors allegedly claimed he was sexually aroused by evidence in
the 1993 trial and had professional links with the expert psychiatrist called
by the prosecution
1999-0429 – Dominion - Leaked
letter raises questions on Ellis trial juror
by Alan Samson - A member of the jury
that convicted Christchurch childcare worker Peter Ellis is claimed to have
said he was sexually aroused by evidence at the trial, and had professional
links with the expert psychiatrist called by the prosecution, the Ministry of
Justice has been told.
1999-0403 - Dominion - Parole
Board did not free Potter
The spokesman said it was silly of Mr Henare to compare Potter's freeing with
the denial of parole for convicted child molester Peter Ellis. Ellis will not
have served two- thirds of his jail sentence till February
1999-0403 - DailyNews -
Potter release rankles against Ellis denial
Editorial - He,
like many others, is angry that the parole authorities would release a
boastfully unredeemed paedophile like Potter, yet refuse to release the
equally eligible Peter Ellis
1999-0403 - Listener -
One Mothers Son
"One Mother's Son - New Evidence in the
fight to clear Peter Ellis" by Bruce Ansley - Convicted child abuser
Peter Ellis has missed out on parole for the second time. But in May his case
goes back to the Court of Appeal, where new information will be presented,
casting further doubt on an already dubious verdict. ......In Christchurch, [the case]
remains one of those defining issues. You are either for Peter Ellis or
against him, and the rifts are bitter and enduring. One of the lawyers who
defended Ellis told friends he was 95 percent convinced that Ellis was
innocent, but 100 percent convinced he should not be in jail.
1999-0401 - NZ Herald - Potter
case brings law change call
Mauri Pacific MP Tau
Henare yesterday attacked the Parole Board for double standards by allowing
Potter back to Centrepoint but refusing parole to Christchurch crèche convicted abuser Peter
Ellis because he had not acknowledged or addressed his offending.
1999-0401 - Evening Post -
Jail Potter indefinitely - Henare
NZPA - "Earlier
this month, the same parole board refused (convicted sex abuser) Peter Ellis
parole saying: `As the offender has not acknowledged or addressed his
offending, the board . . . has no option but to decline parole'.
1999-0401 - Dominion - Potter
should be jailed indefinitely, says Henare
NZPA - The
parole board has released a monster, while incarcerating a man whose
innocence is a matter of conjecture. "Peter Ellis has never said it is
okay to have sex with children, in fact he would be appalled by the
sentiments of Bert Potter. "There's a clear double standard
1999-0330 - Waikato Times
- Mum sends Ellis a card on prison birthday No 5
The mother of
convicted child sex offender Peter Ellis had one wish when her son turned 41
today -- that he celebrates his next birthday a free man. Lesley Ellis said
it was the fifth birthday in jail in Christchurch for her son
1999-0330 - Dominion - 'I am not a
guilty man'
by Alan Samson - The spotlight is back on Peter Ellis, as High Court Justice
Sir Thomas Thorpe begins investigating a petition on his behalf. Meanwhile, a
paper on the background of satanic abuse, by Victoria University
sociology Professor Michael Hill, has been posted on the Internet. Alan
Samson considers the study
1999-0330 -
Dominion - Tracing the evolution of a satanic scare
by Alan Samson - The spotlight is back on Peter Ellis, as
High Court Justice Sir Thomas Thorpe begins investigating a petition on his
behalf. Meanwhile, a paper on the background of satanic abuse, by Victoria University sociology Professor Michael
Hill, has been posted on the Internet.
1999-0328 - Sunday Star
Times - Trial a circus
by Andrea Morris - To
assume a man is innocent until proven guilty as B Taylor suggests (March 21) is
rather naive. The mass hysteria provoked in society and the media when the
word paedophilia is uttered ensures the noose has been knotted long before
the jury delivers its verdict
1999-0328 - Sunday Star
Times - Or a farce
by Robert Perry - The letter from Sarah Smuts-Kennedy (March 21),
misinterpreting Frank Haden's column about Peter Ellis as an assertion that
children who claim to have been sexually abused should be disbelieved,
counters by saying children will continue to be sexually abused "until
society starts believing" them
1999-0328 - Sunday Star
Times - Ellis innocent
by Lew Daltry - I doubt if anyone wants to make a hero of Peter Ellis but
there is a mass of evidence, not presented at the trial and excluded at the
appeal, which makes him not guilty.
1999-0326 - Truth - Jail `backs Bain'
by Rachel Wike - Peter Ellis also has a petition before the Governor General
and David Dougherty got off on one last year. These are all very different
cases but have one common thread, says Karam--police bungling. "They can
never see they made a mistake. They fight to the bitter end--just look at the
Arthur Allen Thomas case."
1999-0326 -
Otago Daily Times - Forced freedom for Ellis
Convicted child abuser Peter Ellis might be forced into accepting freedom
with parole conditions attached, Victoria University law professor Warren
Young said yesterday.
1999-0326 - Dominion - Ellis may
be forced to accept parole
Convicted child abuser Peter Ellis might be forced into accepting freedom
with parole conditions attached, Victoria
University law
professor Warren Young said yesterday.
1999-0321 – Sunday Star
Times – Fairy tales
by Sarah Smuts-Kennedy - I am tired of statements that "children make up
astonishing fairy tales about things that obviously could never occur"
and are "thoroughly indoctrinated by other social workers" (March
7). …….Haden's bold statements about Ellis's innocence are, in turn, creating
"fairy tales".
1999-0321 - Sunday Star
Times - Ellis guilty
by B Taylor - This man has been through the due process of the law and was
found guilty. Until the same due process has found him innocent he remains
guilty. Let us not make Peter Ellis into a hero or a martyr until solid facts
indicate this is so.
1999-0318 - Waikato Times -
Ellis denied parole
NZPA - In its
decision released yesterday, the board said Ellis' continued stance meant it
had to decline parole. Ellis' counsel, Judith Ablett Kerr, QC, later said
Ellis had read the board's "entirely predictable" decision
1999-0318
- Otago Daily Times - Ellis denied parole for innocence claim
Convicted child sex offender Peter Ellis has been denied parole for the
second time. Ellis (40) continued to maintain his innocence when he appeared
before a parole board at Paparua Prison, near Christchurch, last Thursday
1999-0318 - The Press -
Innocence stance costs Ellis parole
by John Henzell - Convicted sex offender Peter Ellis's continued
insistence on his innocence has cost him his latest chance of parole
1999-0318 - Dominion - Ellis
loses out in parole bid
by Joanna Norris - Convicted Christchurch civic crèche child abuser Peter
Ellis has been denied parole for the second time.
1999-0314 - Sunday Star
Times - Mum scents victory for Ellis
by Kim Newth - A self-portrait of Peter Ellis shedding tears behind prison
bars has pride of place in his mother's tiny Christchurch flat. For Lesley
Ellis, it's been a long six years since her son was sentenced to 10 years'
jail in 1993, after being found guilty of abusing children at the
Christchurch Civic Crèche. But she's starting to feel more positive his name
will be cleared
1999-0314 - Sunday Star
Times - Ellis analogy
by S R Nicholson - By any sane consideration of the Ellis case there was
absolutely no credible evidence against him. Obviously the man is innocent.
His conviction is another disgraceful stain on our sloppy legal and justice
systems
1999-0312 - Waikato Times -
Ellis silent at parole hearing
NZPA - Convicted
paedophile Peter Ellis appeared before the parole board yesterday, but did
not speak. Lesley Ellis said her son, 40, serving a 10-year sentence for
abusing children at Christchurch's
Civic Childcare Centre, explained his reasons for declining parole in
writing.
1999-0312 - Evening Post -
Ellis declares his innocence
NZPA - Ellis'
lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr, answered questions for him during the 30-minute
hearing. Afterwards, she released details of Ellis' written statement.
"I cannot accept any parole that you could offer me because the board
could only release me as a guilty man," he said. "I'm not a guilty
man, I am an innocent man."
1999-0312 - Dominion - I am not a
guilty man, Ellis tells Parole Board hearing
by Oskar Alley - Convicted child molester Peter Ellis fronted up to his
parole hearing yesterday but staunchly maintained his innocence and refused
to accept parole, which he said would imply he was guilty.
1999-0312 - Herald - Ellis
Adamant
Convicted Christchurch sex offender Peter Ellis appeared before
a parole board at Paparua Prison last night, but only to declare his
innocence because accepting parole could be seen as an admission of guilt.
1999-0312 - The
Press - Ellis Pleads Innocence To Board
by Victoria Clausen - Convicted sex offender Peter Ellis has
declared his innocence before a parole board
1999-0311 - Dominion - Putting it
on the record
by Matthew Brockett -
In March last year Christchurch policeman Colin Eade responded to comments
Labour MP Phil Goff had made in the House after a 20/20 television programme
about Peter Ellis……..Mr Eade, who led the police investigation into Ellis,
said his reputation had been damaged because Mr Goff had phrased questions in
the House "as if the information in 20/20 were true".
1999-0311 -
NZ First News Release - Ellis Case Highlights
Statement by Winston Peters - ”…the public of New
Zealand needs to have the confidence that proper legal processes were
followed in the Ellis Case
1999-0311 -
Statement to Parole Board by Peter Ellis
……I cannot accept any Parole that
you could offer me because the Board can only release me as a guilty man. I am
a human being and of course I very much want my freedom, but I simply cannot accept it, if it
is to be given, on the basis that I am a guilty man. I am not a guilty man. I am an innocent man
1999-0309 - Waikato Times -
Talks on Ellis release
The Parole Board will meet in Christchurch on Thursday to consider
releasing former Civic Childcare Centre worker Peter Ellis
1999-0309 - Dominion - Ellis parole
hearing
Convicted paedophile Peter Ellis had yet to decide if he would appear
at a Parole Board hearing on Thursday
1999-0309
- Otago Daily Times - Ellis yet to decide on being at parole hearing
Convicted paedophile Peter Ellis has yet to decide if he will appear at a
Parole Board hearing on Thursday, a spokeswoman for his lawyer, Judith
Ablett-Kerr, said yesterday
1999-0308 - Waikato Times
- Ellis preparing for life outside jail amid parole, pardon moves
NZPA - Mrs
Ablett-Kerr recently said Ellis would not do anything that implied guilt. She
has also petitioned the governor-general for a pardon for Ellis. A decision
on that is expected before the Court of Appeal hears his case in May.
1999-0308 - Evening Post -
Ellis undecided on hearing
NZPA - Convicted
paedophile Peter Ellis has yet to decide if he will appear at a Parole Board
hearing on Thursday, a spokeswoman for his lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr, said
today
1999-0308 -
Dominion - Ellis due for parole hearing
Convicted child molester Peter Ellis could soon be free, with a
parole board hearing scheduled for Thursday night.
1999-0307 - Sunday Star
Times - Ellis moves into self-care unit
by Kim Newth - Convicted child abuser Peter Ellis has been moved into
self-care prison accommodation at Christchurch's Paparua Prison, known to be
where prisoners go before their release
1999-0307
- Sunday Star Times - Parole Board should Free Ellis
by Frank Haden - Members of the Parole Board should be
called to account for their wildly illogical double standards. They repeatedly set the sex-crazed killer
Peter Howse free to prey on harmless women, yet require an innocent man,
Peter Ellis, to tell lies and say he's guilty of molesting small children
before they'll release him
1999-0226 - Waikato Times
- Ellis decision near
A decision from the Governor-General on a pardon for convicted paedophile
Peter Ellis is likely before the Court of Appeal hears his case in May
1999-0226 -
Otago Daily Times - Ellis pardon decision soon
A decision from the Governor-General on a pardon for convicted paedophile
Peter Ellis is likely before the Court of Appeal hears his case in May.
Justice Minister Tony Ryall said yesterday he was still considering a
petition seeking a pardon for Ellis, but expected to provide formal advice to
the Governor-General before Ellis' appeal, set down for May 31
1999-0226 -
Mauri Pacific - Press Release Rana Waitai - MP
Rana Waitai, Law and Justice Spokesman for Mauri Pacific says
time is approaching for another parole appearance for Peter Ellis who having
been convicted of various sexual abuse offences in the notorious Christchurch
Crèche, is in the seventh year of his sentence. When last I visited Peter
Ellis he was amazed that no other Member of Parliament had bothered to visit
him. I have absolute belief in his innocence, and he incidently, is the only
one of the numerous "Trial by Television Victims" that I have ever
considered to be innocent.
1999-0225 - NZ Parliament
- Petition for Pardon - Peter Ellis
Questions for Oral Answer - . Ron Mark (NZ First) to the
Minister of Justice: Noting that the
next Parole Board hearing for Peter Ellis is due next month, can he explain
why the petition to the Governor-General for a pardon, filed 16 November
1998, has still not been dealt with?
1999-0224 - Evening Post -
Ellis parole hearing
Peter Ellis is likely
to have his case considered by the Parole Board again early next month. His
lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, said last night she had met Ellis and his
case was due to be called for the second time in the week ending March 12.
1999-0224 -
The Star - Ellis case goes back to parole board again
Convicted childcare worker Peter Ellis will get another chance
at freedom next month when the parole board meets for the second time to
consider his case. However, whether the 40-year-old will appear before the
board remains in doubt as he is still awaiting a rare second Appeal Court
hearing against his conviction and a decision from the Governor General on
his application for a royal pardon.
1999-0224 - The
Press - Ellis parole hearing in March
Peter Ellis is likely to have his case considered by the Parole
Board again early next month. His lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, said last
night she had met Ellis and his case was due to be called for the second time
in the week ending March 12.
1999-0218 - NZ First - The market
value of murder is up, Peter Ellis is down
New January 29 2006
by Ron Mark - Mr
Mark was also critical of the way that the Government has handled the Peter
Ellis case, and called for the Minister to expedite the processing of a
petition seeking a royal pardon from the Governor General before Ellis'
parole hearing in two weeks.
1999-0214 - Sunday Star
Times - Ellis debacle
by Neil McKenzie -
The disgraceful difference is that in our country, [Peter Ellis] was
convicted and incarcerated. This will one day stand alongside the Thomas case
as one of our most heinous miscarriages of justice. And then we will ask
ourselves how we could have allowed it to happen.
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