A man has been extradited from Australia to New Zealand to face charges over alleged historical assaults against women and children.
Police say Robert Keith Fowler, 59, is accused of 14 indecent acts and four indecent assaults against eight female victims aged between five and 45.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1985 and 1993 while Mr Fowler was living in Taumarunui.
However, they didn't come to light until 1996 - two-and-a-half years after Mr Fowler had emigrated to Australia, police said.
"New Zealand Police were therefore unable at that time to put the allegations to Mr Fowler,'' a statement said.
The case was reviewed in 2009 and police were given approval to extradite Mr Fowler back to New Zealand in December 2010, police said.
Australian Federal Police arrested him on April 19 this year and he has been in police custody until he was flown back to New Zealand last night.
He appeared in the Manukau District Court today and was remanded in custody until his next appearance in the Taumarunui District Court on June 12.
Acting Detective Inspector Keith Borrell said the case showed police commitment to prosecuting alleged sexual offending.
"We take allegations of sexual abuse incredibly seriously and will not let the passage of time or geographical challenges stop us from helping victims and prosecuting offenders.''
