New Zealand Courts Give Prison Time for Sexual Crimes

May 15, 2026, 08:00
New ZealandOther

Introduction

Courts in Auckland and Wellington finished two big cases. They gave prison sentences to people who hurt others.

Main Body

In Auckland, three young men hurt a woman from Germany on January 1, 2025. The men said the woman said yes, but the judge did not believe them. The woman drank too much and could not say yes. Two men got ten years and five months in prison. One man got eight years and ten months. In Wellington, a man named Opetaia Matagi is 82 years old. He hurt his daughter and another woman for a long time. He used threats to make them do things. The judge gave him twelve years and eight months in prison. He must stay in prison for at least six years and four months. The judge in Wellington looked at Matagi's age. He is very old and sick. Because of this, he will likely stay in prison for the rest of his life.

Conclusion

The judges gave long prison sentences. These crimes were very bad and hurt the victims for a long time.

Learning

πŸ•’ Time & Duration

Look at how the text talks about time. We use numbers + time words to show how long something lasts.

  • 10 years β†’\rightarrow A long time
  • 5 months β†’\rightarrow A short time
  • 6 years and 4 months β†’\rightarrow A specific mix

Easy Rule: To describe a period of time, put the number first, then the word (year/month/day).

Examples from the text:

  • "ten years and five months"
  • "twelve years and eight months"

πŸ‘€ People & Descriptions

When we describe people in A2 English, we use simple adjectives.

WordMeaningExample from Text
YoungNot old"three young men"
OldNot young"He is very old"
SickNot healthy"He is... sick"

Pattern: Subject + is + Adjective β†’\rightarrow He is old.

Vocabulary Learning

court (n.)
A place where people go to have legal decisions made.
Example:The court heard the case about the stolen bicycle.
judge (n.)
A person who decides what happens in a court.
Example:The judge ruled that the defendant must pay a fine.
prison (n.)
A building where people are kept as punishment.
Example:He was sent to prison for five years.
sentence (n.)
A punishment decided by a judge.
Example:The judge gave a sentence of ten years.
case (n.)
A legal matter that is examined in court.
Example:The lawyer prepared the case for the trial.
people (n.)
Many individuals.
Example:Many people attended the protest.
hurt (v.)
To cause pain or damage.
Example:The fall hurt his arm.
woman (n.)
An adult female.
Example:The woman sold fresh apples at the market.
man (n.)
An adult male.
Example:The man lifted the heavy box.
years (n.)
Units of time.
Example:She has lived here for ten years.
months (n.)
Units of time.
Example:The project will take three months.
age (n.)
How old someone is.
Example:His age is 82 years.
long (adj.)
Lasting a long time.
Example:It was a long journey to the city.
time (n.)
A period.
Example:We need more time to finish the work.
bad (adj.)
Not good.
Example:The movie was bad, so we left early.
victim (n.)
The person who is hurt or harmed.
Example:The victim received help from the police.
crime (n.)
An illegal act.
Example:The crime was reported to the authorities.
give (v.)
To provide or present.
Example:She will give you a gift.
big (adj.)
Large.
Example:They built a big house.
finished (v.)
Completed.
Example:The work is finished.
rest (n.)
The remaining part.
Example:Take a rest after the long day.
life (n.)
The time a person lives.
Example:He enjoyed his life in the countryside.
old (adj.)
Having lived many years.
Example:The old tree stood in the park.
sick (adj.)
Unhealthy.
Example:She felt sick after the meal.
likely (adj.)
Probably.
Example:It is likely to rain tomorrow.
stay (v.)
Remain in a place.
Example:They will stay at the hotel for a week.