Conviction

3.9 (41)
TRUE CRIME
COMPLETE SERIES

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?

EPISODE 1

Peter's Black Penis

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. To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the RNZ website here. Who was Peter Ellis, the childcare worker at the centre of the accusations and how did he come to work there? To set the scene, we meet people with many different connections to what was to become the most notorious child sexual abuse case in this country's history. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

54 min
EPISODE 2

Poo Sticks

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. To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the RNZ website here. A child's comment to his mother that he 'doesn't like Peter's black penis' leads to Peter being suspended by his shocked supervisor and sets off the first depth charge beneath the community surrounding the creche Were children being sexually abused there, could anxious parents get accurate information from their sons and daughters, and who might be responsible? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

49 min
EPISODE 3

The Perfect Storm

As more and more children came forward with claims of sexual abuse, we ask whether international events were influencing the case in Christchurch. To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the website here. As in similar cases a few years earlier in the US and Australia, rumours of ritual satanic abuse emerge amidst a rising tide of moral panic swirling around the beleaguered creche. A second child makes an accusation and police activity amps up interviewing parents and engaging an expert to interview children. No one speaks to Peter - withdrawn, now unemployed and stunned by the accusations. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

50 min
EPISODE 4

Money Talks

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? To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the website here. The day Peter turns 34 his house is searched for incriminating material to corroborate the accusations of paedophilia and when he's arrested, all the rumours are front page news. A leading child sexual abuse expert reassures the public that there are processes in place to protect the children who are victims, but not all the parents buy into the accusations and seek to distance themselves and their children from the on-going investigation. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

48 min
EPISODE 5

Total Recall

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. To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the website here. What's happening for the 3 to 5 year old children at the centre of the investigation, some of whom are put through hours of questioning by professionals feeling their way in a relatively new field? How could happy, healthy, innocent kids come up with such distressing, and at times wildly fantastical stories? Memory specialists and child psychologists discuss the merits of children's testimony. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

55 min
EPISODE 6

Spikehead, Stupidhead & Boulderhead

The children's stories get more and more bizarre and suddenly, others are in the frame too. To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the website here. By October 1992, 119 children have been interviewed and their allegations range from violent nude dancing to rape and murder. Expert opinion varies on why children would make up such claims, but the parents couldn't imagine where the ideas would come from, unless the children had experienced horrific abuse. And more disclosures mean more suspects - four other creche teachers and Peter Ellis' mother are accused of being involved. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

45 min
EPISODE 7

The Women

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. To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the website here. By late 1992, four female creche workers had also been accused of abuse and arrested by police. Debbie Gillespie and Marie Keys describe the day the police knocked on their doors and all the woman talk about the impact of their arrests. Then, out of the blue, the creche is closed leaving many creche staff wondering if they'll be next. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

45 min
EPISODE 8

11 Long Weeks

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. To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the website here. Together the five child care workers face 60 charges of sexual offending against 20 children. Over 11 weeks, dozens of people give evidence, from the children and their families to police, other creche teachers and various experts. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

53 min

See All Season 1 (13)

TRAILER

Introducing: Conviction: The Christchurch Civic Creche Case

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. To see more images and details about Peter Ellis and the series, vist the website here. In the early 1990's Aotearoa's garden city Christchurch was torn apart by accusations of child sexual abuse at a creche owned by the City Council. The story begins when a four year old boy makes the comment "I don't like Peter's black penis". This comment would propel 30-year-old childcare worker Peter Ellis into a nightmare which saw him spend seven years in prison for crimes he says he did not commit. Yet the children and families who accused Ellis are adamant he committed the crimes and that the results of his actions will be with them forever. Both sides of this story are convinced of their version of events. But three decades on the ripples from this case are still being felt right across New Zealand. This 12-part podcast has all the details from one of New Zealand's most controversial child abuse cases, from the people who were there. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

S1

•

2 min

3.9

out of 5

41 Ratings

Nothing new

29/09/2023

nealeds

This story has already been very thoroughly done in a different podcast series..
Fascinating and well produced

03/01/2024

SPKeast

Such an interesting sociological investigation that weaves together so many elements and does so with nuance and intrigue.
Fantastic

23/10/2023

Bmh-17

I’ve listened to many true crime podcast series in my time and this one has to be one of my faves. It has the research and compelling storytelling of ‘casefile’, the intrigue and journalism of ‘teachers pet’ and wit of ‘my fave murder’. Love it team!!
Thoughtful and extensive

18/10/2023

Hobart21

I initially thought, having listened to another podcast on the case, this podcast might not add much. I was wrong. It’s a very in depth coverage of the case done in an evenhanded way. Congratulations to the team who made it.

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?