Conviction

In 1991, Peter Ellis was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the sexual abuse of more than a dozen children. What really went on at the Christchurch Civic Creche? Who can you believe?

Contains sensitive themes

Presented by Alexander Behse and Ali Jones

An illustrated portrait of Peter Ellis that looks distorted by glass. A bold 'CONVICTION' sits on top.

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All episodes:

Peter's Black Penis

Episode 1
Who was Peter Ellis, the childcare worker at the centre of the accusations and how did he come to work there? Meet people with many different connections to what was to become New Zealand's most notorious child sexual abuse case.
Peter Ellis holding a cat

Poo Sticks

Episode 2
There's fear and confusion after a child says 'I don't like Peter's black penis'. A second accusation causes the investigation to be ramped up.
Christchurch, New Zealand - September 16 2019: The Arts Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. Once home the the Civic Creche

The Perfect Storm

Episode 3
As more and more children came forward with claims of sexual abuse, we ask whether international events were influencing the case in Christchurch.
Pentagram on red background

Money Talks

Episode 4
Peter Ellis is arrested and charged with child sexual abuse. Creche parents are panicked and horrified. But what has really been happening at the creche?
Newspaper clippings covering the Civic Creche case

Total Recall

Episode 5
As more and more children come forward with accounts of abuse, we look at what the role the parents, police and expert child interviewers may have played.
Peter Ellis painting faces at the Christchurch Civic Creche. The children's faces have been blurred.

Spikehead, Stupidhead & Boulderhead

Episode 6
The children's stories get more and more bizarre and suddenly, others are in the frame too.
Peter Ellis with two children at the Christchurch Civic Creche

The Women

Episode 7
Four female creche workers are arrested in a series of raids on their homes. A damning report into the creche culture is release and the child care centre is abruptly closed.
A newspaper clipping of the four women accused alongside Peter Ellis, with the headline 'Guilty Until Proven Innocent'

11 Long Weeks

Episode 8
As the divisions in the community intensify, one year on from those first allegations, the preliminary court hearing against Peter Ellis and the four women begins.
Symbol of law and justice in the empty courtroom, law and justice concept, court

Twists

Episode 9
The High Court trial into child abuse at the Christchurch Civic Creche begins on Monday, 26 April, 1993. Peter Ellis is charged with 28 counts against 13 children.
The top sheet of court documents for the High Court trial of Peter Ellis

Turns

Episode 10
Tensions run high as the High Court trial of Peter Ellis reaches its conclusion.
Sketch of judge drawn during the trial of Peter Ellis

2,416 Days

Episode 11
Peter Ellis spent more than seven years in prison, for a crime he says he didn't commit. He and others describe his time behind bars and the many surprises and revelations he faced.
A drawing done by Peter Ellis of a tabby ginger cat in the rain

Legacy

Episode 12
Peter Ellis was released from prison in 2000 - but that was by no means the end of the story. This episode looks at life after prison and the huge impact this case has had on the whole country.
Headshot of Peter Ellis wearing a beanie with his finger held over his face, pointing skywards.

Introducing: Conviction: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case

Trailer
What really happened at the Christchurch Civic Creche in the late 1980s and early 1990s? Was Peter Ellis wrongly convicted or should we believe the children. Listen to RNZ's new podcast and make up your own mind.
An illustrated portrait of Peter Ellis that looks distorted by glass. A bold 'CONVICTION' sits on top.

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