This article contains references to child sexual abuse.
One of New Zealand's longest-running and most contentious legal cases has finally been settled, with a unique and precedent-setting posthumous expulsion of guilt.
In a legal first, the NZ Supreme Court has quashed the convictions of Peter Ellis of historical child sexual abuse, for which he served seven years in jail from 1993.
The court found a "substantial miscarriage of justice" took place, with inadmissible and dubious evidence used to convict him of 16 charges of sexual offending against seven children.
Mr Ellis - who maintained his innocence throughout - was not in court to see the verdict, dying of bladder cancer three years ago.
That factor alone necessitated special dispensation from the court to hear the appeal.
Mr Ellis' family argued that tikanga Maori - or Maori customs - formed part of New Zealand's common law, and those rules should give Mr Ellis a chance to unsully his reputation even after death.
The alleged abuses took place at a Christchurch creche, with an investigation sparked after a three-year-old told his mother he didn't like "Peter's black penis".
The comment is now understood as a reference to a black puppy the family had bought from Mr Ellis.
At the time, it sparked hysteria among parents and other creche workers, who rallied together in defence of their children.
Police conducted dozens of interviews with toddler-aged children to form a case against Mr Ellis, which included Satanistic crimes and ritual abuse.
Friday's judgment concluded those claims were "fantastical".
"I wish my brother was here because it was really what he deserved," Mark Ellis said outside court on Friday, 7 October 2022. Source: AAP / AP
Other co-workers were charged but avoided conviction, while at least one child has confessed to inventing her testimony after Mr Ellis' time in jail.
On Friday night, TVNZ broadcast an emotional interview with Mr Ellis, gaunt from his disease, conducted at his hospice in the week before his death.
"Since 1991, I have battled to clear my name. I'm not guilty of abusing children at Civic Creche. Nothing more, nothing less, just straight out plain and fair," he said.
Asked how he kept his mild-mannered composure through his incarceration and after convictions, he replied, "I've always laughed my way through things", before breaking down.
"No, it's not funny. There was some that say it was because I was gay. Some would say it's because I was flamboyant."
A book written about the affair was titled "A City Possessed", demonstrating the strength of feeling on both sides of the case.
High-profile politicians - including former PMs David Lange and Mike Moore, and high office holders Winston Peters, Don Brash, Judith Collins and David Parker - signed a petition for a Royal Commission into the case in 2003, which was declined.
Parents of the children gave a statement to Radio NZ, lamenting the Supreme Court decision.
"The judge and jury in the original trial believed the children, two appeals to overturn those convictions were lost, and a Commission of Inquiry upheld the verdicts," they said.
"The children who did go to court have carried a huge burden all these years.
"Some are too afraid and traumatised still, but we as parents want to speak out and say it loud and clear once again. We hear you, and we believe you."
Mr Ellis' brother Mark addressed journalists outside the court on Friday.
"I wish my brother was here because it was really what he deserved. It was not for us to hear so much; it was him and mum who were the staunch party in the whole thing and always stood strong," he said.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit In an emergency, call 000.
