Tim Jago
{{Short description|New Zealand sex offender, businessman, and political figure}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{use New Zealand English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Tim Jago
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| order = 10th President of ACT New Zealand
| vicepresident =
| leader = David Seymour
| term_start = 2019
| term_end = 2023
| predecessor = Ruwan Premathilaka
| successor = Henry Lynch
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|58|2025|01|31}}{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360566601/prominent-political-figure-who-sexually-abused-boys-can-now-be-named |title=Former ACT Party president named for sexually abusing boys |date=31 January 2025 |work=Stuff |first=Edward |last=Gay}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| occupation = Businessman and former surf lifesaver
| years_active =
| known_for =
}}
Tim Jago is a convicted sex offender, businessman, surf lifesaver, and former political figure from Auckland, New Zealand. He served as chairman of political party ACT New Zealand, and chairman of the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service. In 2024 he was convicted of indecent assault and sentenced to imprisonment.
Career
Jago has been involved in surf lifesaving since the 1980s, mostly around the Auckland region. By 1990 he was the operations manager of the Auckland Surf Life Saving Association and oversaw the expansion of lifeguard services to three beaches (Lion Rock, Monkey Rock and Piha) thanks to a $20,000 donation from Fresh Up which paid for extra equipment.{{citation |first=Kathryn |last=Vivian |title=Life's no breeze for lifeguards |work=Auckland Star |date=26 December 1990 |page=A2 |language=en }} In 2003, he was given a Distinguished Service Award by Surf Life Saving New Zealand,{{citation|title=Surf Lifesaving NZ – Distinguished Service Awards|work=www.surflifesaving.org.nz|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/about-us/honours-awards/distinguished-service-awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926065551/https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/about-us/honours-awards/distinguished-service-awards|archive-date=26 September 2023|url-status=live}} and is a life member of the group.{{citation|url=https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/media/986970/slsnz-agm-2017-minutes-draft.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701095135/https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/media/986970/slsnz-agm-2017-minutes-draft.pdf|archive-date=1 July 2024|title=Minutes of the 2017 Annual General Meeting of Surf Life Saving New Zealand Inc.|date=23 September 2017|author=Surf Life Saving New Zealand|access-date=6 September 2024|url-status=live}} He won the organisation's 'Volunteer of the Year' award in 2012.{{citation|title=Northern Region Lifeguards awarded for services over summer|language=en|work=infonews.co.nz|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=92456|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523102934/https://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?id=92456|archive-date=23 May 2024|url-status=live}} He also served as the chair of the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service.{{citation|title=A beach on edge|language=en|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=5 September 2024|first=Nicholas|last=Jones|via=PressReader|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-new-zealand-herald/20130313/281479273847882|archive-date=16 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916071459/https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-new-zealand-herald/20130313/281479273847882|url-status=live}} In 2013 he was involved in the emergency response after a man was killed by a shark at the beach.{{citation|title=14-foot shark kills man in rare attack off New Zealand beach|language=en|work=Fox News|url-access=subscription|date=6 September 2024|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/14-foot-shark-kills-man-in-rare-attack-off-new-zealand-beach|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531234550/https://www.foxnews.com/world/14-foot-shark-kills-man-in-rare-attack-off-new-zealand-beach|archive-date=31 May 2023|url-status=live}}{{citation|title=Shark attack death tragic accident – coroner|language=en|work=Otago Daily Times |date=23 July 2013|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/shark-attack-death-tragic-accident-coroner}} In 2015, Jago referred two members of the club to Police after they were alleged to have taken "inappropriate" photos of young members and posted them online.{{citation|title=Members Of Auckland Surf Club Under Police Investigation | The Investigators – Private Investigators & Process Servers NZ|language=en|work=www.theinvestigators.co.nz|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.theinvestigators.co.nz/news/members-of-auckland-surf-club-under-police-investigation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516203228/https://www.theinvestigators.co.nz/news/members-of-auckland-surf-club-under-police-investigation|archive-date=16 May 2024|url-status=live}} Some time before 2021, Jago stood down from a surf lifesaving related charity—LifeSavers Foundation—during an investigation into the charities' finances.{{citation|title=Act Party president gone from surf lifesaving charity amid probe – NBR | The Authority since 1970|date=4 June 2021|language=en|work=NBR | The Authority since 1970|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/act-party-president-gone-from-surf-lifesaving-charity-amid-probe/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306140210/https://www.nbr.co.nz/politics/act-party-president-gone-from-surf-lifesaving-charity-amid-probe/|archive-date=6 March 2023|url-status=live}}
Jago was chairman of the political party ACT New Zealand for almost four years, before resigning in January 2023 for reasons that, at the time, could not be legally disclosed.{{citation|title=ACT Party president Tim Jago resigns, acting president appointed|language=en|work=Stuff |url-access=subscription|first1=Thomas|last1=Manch|date=27 January 2023|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/131085932/act-party-president-tim-jago-resigns-acting-president-appointed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525221002/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/131085932/act-party-president-tim-jago-resigns-acting-president-appointed|archive-date=25 May 2023|url-status=live}} It was later revealed that the resignation happened after Jago was charged for indecently assaulting two teenage boys he mentored through a sports club between 1995 and 1999. He was granted name suppression when he was charged so the circumstances surrounding his resignation were not publicly known until after his conviction. {{cite news | url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540537/former-act-party-president-tim-jago-named-as-former-political-figure-who-abused-teenage-boys | title=Former ACT Party president Tim Jago named as former political figure who abused teenage boys | work=Radio New Zealand }}
During his time as party president he oversaw an investigation into allegations made by the vice-president of the party’s youth wing, who claimed she had been the victim of sexual harassment.{{citation|title=Young Act vice-president resigns, claiming sexual harassment|language=en|work=The New Zealand Herald |first1=Lincoln|last1=Tan|date=6 May 2020|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/young-act-vice-president-resigns-claiming-sexual-harassment/ASAUATSJIZYAVH7HK6DXMNPLOI/|archive-date=16 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916071504/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/young-act-vice-president-resigns-claiming-sexual-harassment/ASAUATSJIZYAVH7HK6DXMNPLOI/|url-status=live}} The investigation concluded with the party deciding to take no further action – a decision drawing criticism for dismissal of victims.{{citation|title=Sexual assault victim says youth politics 'all talk, no support'|language=en-US|work=Newsroom|first1=Laura|last1=Walters|date=8 October 2020|access-date=6 September 2024|url=https://newsroom.co.nz/2020/10/08/sexual-assault-victim-says-youth-politics-all-talk-no-support/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609152429/https://newsroom.co.nz/2020/10/08/sexual-assault-victim-says-youth-politics-all-talk-no-support/|archive-date=9 June 2024|url-status=live}}
Sexual abuse conviction
In November 2022 the ACT party was contacted by the wife of a person alleging that Jago had sexually abused them during the 1990s. The victims were two teenage boys who had been mentored by Jago.{{citation|title='It didn't happen': Ex-political figure accused of sexual abuse|language=en|work=RNZ |first1=Anneke|last1=Smith|date=22 August 2024|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/525894/it-didn-t-happen-ex-political-figure-accused-of-sexual-abuse}} Party leader David Seymour provided the contact details for an employment lawyer, but the complainant chose instead to contact Police.{{citation|title=Party warned former political figure was 'sexual predator'|language=en|work=RNZ |first1=Anneke|last1=Smith|date=26 August 2024|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/526212/party-warned-former-political-figure-was-sexual-predator}} Several months later in January 2023 Jago was charged by police,{{citation|title=Prominent political figure in court on historical sexual assault charges, including against underage boy|language=en|work=Stuff |url-access=subscription|first1=James|last1=Halpin|date=24 January 2023|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/auckland-top-stories/300791764/prominent-political-figure-in-court-on-historical-sexual-assault-charges-including-against-underage-boy}} and stepped down as party president a few days later.
Jago was granted name suppression in the lead up to, during, and even after his trial.{{citation|title=Former political figure who sexually abused teens loses name suppression but still can't be named|language=en|work=Stuff |first1=Edward|last1=Gay|date=10 September 2024|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350410197/former-political-figure-who-sexually-abused-teens-loses-name-suppression-still|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240910183820/https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350410197/former-political-figure-who-sexually-abused-teens-loses-name-suppression-still|archive-date=10 September 2024}} His lawyers argued this was necessary to prevent the case becoming a political football in the leadup to the 2023 New Zealand general election, which could jeopardise Jago's right to a fair trial.{{citation|title=Former political figure accused of historical sexual offending to keep name secret until after election and through to trial|language=en|work=The New Zealand Herald |first1=George|last1=Block|date=6 July 2023|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/former-political-figure-accused-of-historical-sexual-offending-to-keep-name-secret-until-after-election-and-through-to-trial/KKZGGBATRJFCTPSWGYA7FLTNMA/|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231129213029/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/former-political-figure-accused-of-historical-sexual-offending-to-keep-name-secret-until-after-election-and-through-to-trial/KKZGGBATRJFCTPSWGYA7FLTNMA/|archive-date=29 November 2023}} In August 2023 Te Pāti Māori coleader Rawiri Waititi made a direct reference to the case in parliament,{{citation|title='Can't believe frankly what I've just heard': Te Pāti Māori's Waititi shocks with comment under parliamentary privilege|language=en|work=Newshub |date=23 August 2023|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/08/te-p-ti-m-ori-s-rawiri-waititi-shocks-with-comment-under-parliamentary-privilege.html|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240411051240/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/08/te-p-ti-m-ori-s-rawiri-waititi-shocks-with-comment-under-parliamentary-privilege.html|archive-date=11 April 2024}} asking "Does the Prime Minister agree with a judgment that we've got the leader of ACT chiming in about law and order but is first to get name suppression for his president for heinous crimes?"{{citation|title=Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers – August 23 2023|language=en|work=NZ Parliament Hansard Debates|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20230822_20230823_14|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240411225953/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20230822_20230823_14|archive-date=11 April 2024}} Despite the case being suppressed from publication by the courts, Waititi's speech was protected by parliamentary privilege. He was later suspended from parliament for breaching standing orders.{{citation|title=Te Pāti Māori 'more aware and respectful' of Parliament's relationship with courts|language=en|work=RNZ |first1=Craig|last1=Mcculloch|date=29 August 2024|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/526539/te-pati-maori-more-aware-and-respectful-of-parliament-s-relationship-with-courts}}
Jago's trial began in August 2024. In statements to police in 1999 and 2023, Jago denied any wrongdoing. The crown alleged that Jago had abused a position of trust by providing alcohol to the teenagers and sexually assaulting them while they were intoxicated.{{citation|title=Jury out in trial of former political figure accused of historical abuse|language=en|work=RNZ |first1=Anneke|last1=Smith|date=23 August 2024|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/526009/jury-out-in-trial-of-former-political-figure-accused-of-historical-abuse}} One of the complaintants told the court he felt he had been "groomed" by Jago.{{citation|title=Former political figure sexual abuse trial: 'I was groomed', complainant says|language=en|work=RNZ |first1=Anneke|last1=Smith|first2=Maia|last2=Ingoe|date=19 August 2024|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/525625/former-political-figure-sexual-abuse-trial-i-was-groomed-complainant-says}} He was found guilty by a jury and convicted of eight counts of indecent assault.{{citation|title=Former political figure found guilty of indecent assault|language=en|work=RNZ |date=26 August 2024|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/526203/former-political-figure-found-guilty-of-indecent-assault|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240913183612/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/526203/former-political-figure-found-guilty-of-indecent-assault|archive-date=13 September 2024}} He lost name suppression after the conviction, but his name remained secret as he appealed that decision to the High Court.{{citation|title=Former political figure convicted of indecent assault has name suppression lifted, still can't be named|language=en|work=RNZ |first1=Anneke|last1=Smith|first2=Melanie|last2=Earley|date=10 September 2024|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/527594/former-political-figure-convicted-of-indecent-assault-has-name-suppression-lifted-still-can-t-be-named}}{{citation|title=Former political figure who sexually abused teens loses name suppression but still can't be named|language=en|work=Stuff |first1=Edward|last1=Gay|date=10 September 2024|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350410197/former-political-figure-who-sexually-abused-teens-loses-name-suppression-still|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240910183820/https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350410197/former-political-figure-who-sexually-abused-teens-loses-name-suppression-still|archive-date=10 September 2024}}{{citation|title=Former political figure who sexually abused teens will ask High Court to keep his name secret|language=en|work=The Press |url-access=subscription|first1=Edward|last1=Gay|date=7 October 2024|access-date=8 October 2024|url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350443940/former-political-figure-who-sexually-abused-teens-will-ask-high-court-keep-his}}
On 22 November 2024 Jago was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison and ordered to pay {{currency|1500|NZD}} reparations to the victim.{{citation|title=Former political figure jailed for sexual abuse of teenagers|language=en|work=Stuff |first1=Edward|last1=Gay|date=21 November 2024|access-date=22 November 2024|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360495519/former-political-figure-jailed-sexual-abuse-teenagers}}{{citation|title=Political figure who sexually abused two teens sentenced to jail|language=en|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=22 November 2024|access-date=22 November 2024|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/political-figure-who-sexually-abused-two-teens-sentenced-to-two-and-a-half-years-in-jail/XTSCOSPCNVCHTNC3PPUQJKA3EE/}} Jago had requested to serve his sentence in home detention, but the judge determined that would be inappropriate. Later that afternoon his lawyer argued he should be granted permanent name suppression, but this was declined. However, his lawyer indicated he would appeal this decision, so interim name suppression was continued. One of the victims formally waived his automatic name suppression rights in order to lift name suppression from Jago. Jago had been under interim name suppression for over 667 days at this stage, this being the sixth time it had been granted to him.
Name suppression expired in January 2025 after his lawyer told the court he had chosen to no longer pursue it.{{citation|title=Former ACT Party president named for sexually abusing boys|language=en|work=Stuff |first1=Edward|last1=Gay|date=31 January 2025|access-date=31 January 2025|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360566601/prominent-political-figure-who-sexually-abused-boys-can-now-be-named}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/540537/former-act-party-president-tim-jago-named-as-former-political-figure-who-abused-teenage-boys |title=Former ACT Party president Tim Jago named as former political figure who abused teenage boys |publisher=RNZ |date=31 January 2025 |access-date=31 January 2025}} In a statement, the ACT party said, "We respect the outcome of the court process and commend the courage of those who have come forward." {{As of|January 2025}}, Jago still claims he is innocent and intends to appeal the conviction.{{citation|title=Former Act Party president named as former political figure who abused teenage boys|language=en|work=The New Zealand Herald |date=31 January 2025|access-date=31 January 2025|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/former-act-party-president-tim-jago-named-as-former-political-figure-who-abused-teenage-boys/PRWOK3BNCJED5PO36RCNG4JG2M/}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/interview-tim-jago-on-nz-surf-life-saving/C37HFLDZLQAB2M27TOAXM6Z3ZU/ Interview with Jago about the importance of youth volunteers in Surf Life Saving]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2GzeZc_rPY Video of a speech Jago gave at an ACT party event in 2022]
{{ACT New Zealand|state=collapsed}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef |before=Ruwan Premathilaka}}
{{s-ttl |title=President of ACT New Zealand|years=2019–2023}}
{{s-aft |after=Henry Lynch}}
{{end}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jago, Tim}}
Category:Businesspeople from Auckland
Category:ACT New Zealand politicians
Category:New Zealand surf lifesavers