# Tim Jago

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. In 2003, he was given a Distinguished Service Award by Surf Life Saving New Zealand, and is a life member of the group. He won the organisation's 'Volunteer of the Year' award in 2012. He also served as the chair of the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service. In 2013 he was involved in the emergency response after a man was killed by a shark at the beach. 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. Some time before 2021, Jago stood down from a surf lifesaving related charity—LifeSavers Foundation—during an investigation into the charities' finances.
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. 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.
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. The investigation concluded with the party deciding to take no further action – a decision drawing criticism for dismissal of victims.

## 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. Party leader David Seymour provided the contact details for an employment lawyer, but the complainant chose instead to contact Police. Several months later in January 2023 Jago was charged by police, 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. 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. In August 2023 Te Pāti Māori coleader Rawiri Waititi made a direct reference to the case in parliament, 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?" 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.
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. One of the complaintants told the court he felt he had been "groomed" by Jago. He was found guilty by a jury and convicted of eight counts of indecent assault. He lost name suppression after the conviction, but his name remained secret as he appealed that decision to the High Court.
On 22 November 2024 Jago was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison and ordered to pay NZ$1,500 reparations to the victim. 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. 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.