Latest news with #Christchurch-born
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Former Chch man pleads guilty to sex trafficking charges in the US
A Christchurch-born man has pleaded guilty to multiple sex trafficking charges in a United States federal court. Pornographer Michael James Pratt, the owner of adult website GirlsDoPorn, had been awaiting trial after he initially pleaded not guilty following his arrest and extradition from Spain to the United States, the New Zealand Herald reported. He pleaded guilty in San Diego on Thursday. In his plea agreement, the Herald reported Pratt pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sex traffic and sex trafficking. He is due to be sentenced on September 8. Prior to being arrested at a Spanish hotel in 2022, Pratt, 42, was on the FBI's top 10 most wanted list. The Herald reported the summary of charges states that sex trafficking conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of sex trafficking carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison and a US$250,000 ($414,000) fine. Pratt was charged in October 2019 in California with sex trafficking crimes in connection with a scheme to deceive and coerce young women to appear in pornographic videos, the Herald reported. He liquidated his assets and fled the United States in mid-2019. Pratt was one of five co-defendants in the case. Three have been sentenced to prison, while a fourth awaits sentencing, the Herald reported. Christchurch pornographer shamed in court His childhood friend from Christchurch, Matthew Isaac Wolfe, was jailed for 14 years in March last year for tricking scores of women into becoming porn stars. Wolfe had claimed in court that he was effectively forced to go and work for his friend after the February 22, 2011, earthquake in Christchurch. Pratt and Wolfe met at primary school in Christchurch. While they attended different secondary schools - Christchurch Boys' High and Burnside High respectively - they remained friends. Ruben Andre Garcia, who was recruited by Pratt in 2013 and was the male model who engaged in sex acts on video with the women, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2021, the Herald reported. Theodore Gyi, who served as a cameraman, was sentenced to four years in prison in November 2022, while Valorie Moser, the office manager, will be sentenced on September 12. In May, the Herald reported US authorities have moved to seize more than $1.2 million in cryptocurrency from Pratt.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- NZ Herald
Michael Pratt, owner of GirlsDoPorn, pleads guilty to multiple sex trafficking counts
Christchurch-born pornographer Michael James Pratt pleaded guilty to multiple sex trafficking counts in the federal court in San Diego on Thursday. The owner of adult website GirlsDoPorn had been awaiting trial after initially pleading not guilty following his arrest and extradition from Spain to the United States.
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Christchurch soul singer: 'I wear my heart right on my forehead'
Whether she's writing deeply personal songs or counselling someone else through a tough time, Christchurch-born and raised soul singer Ladi6 - aka Karoline Tamati - believes that we're all in this together. On her upcoming record Le Vā, hip-hop soul singer Karoline Tamati (aka Ladi6) serves up a fresh set of dance tracks that celebrate the spirit of her late mum Fuarosa. While the lyrics express grief, Tamati says the tracks themselves are energetic and enlivening thanks to her unique creative dynamic with musical partner and husband Brent 'Parks' Park. "We want people to be dancing constantly and just feeling the vibe - not thinking about what I'm saying, just feeling the beats," she tells Music 101. Tamati and Park - who married in 2015 - work on their parts of the music separately, she says, and then 'see what happens' when they bring them together. 'He's always pushing me to try and be less literal and more metaphorical, and I'm always pushing him to take what I have and just figure it out." While she has 'absolutely no interest' in how Parks interprets her lyrics musically, Tamati knows he won't lean into emotionality, let alone 'chuck some violins on". Growing up in Christchurch, Tamati says she and Park thought they were too 'dumb' for academic study, but in recent years, they've both become keen university students - she is studying to be a counselling psychologist, while he has completed a Master of Arts. Tamati will play at the Loons in Lyttelton on Friday, June 30. 'You get influenced by the environment, going, 'Well, maybe we're just not those kinds of people. Those are the people who live in other suburbs, and that's cool for them, but we probably will get a job, help around the house economically, and then try and fork out a career for ourselves.' Many people don't have the opportunity to learn the organisational and time management skills required to keep up at university, Tamati says. She feels lucky that life as an independent recording artist had already equipped her in this way. 'You just have to put in the time to do the thing, get the grade, over and over and over again.' Tamati says being able to offer empathy and support as a counsellor is her 'favourite thing' because people need other people to get through life. 'I will walk with you through your stuff, and we'll connect, and we will figure out strategies to help us through or we'll just, you can dump on me, vent on me, tell me. I will help ... I'm basically with you, and we're just gonna walk through this." It's an honour to help another person develop awareness of themselves and improve their own lives, she says. 'It's such a beautiful and special moment to see things click together and know that they're like fully tooled up to go out into the world and face this exact same problem, but in a totally different way.' For Tamati, songwriting is a way to transform her own difficult experiences into something hopeful while conveying a message of human solidarity. "This happens to me, and it happens to you, and it happens to us all. This is how I found my way through, and this is what I think about this thing. "I can't do anything but wear my heart right on my forehead to show everybody." Fuarosa, who lived with Tamati and her family through years of treatment for diabetes, was covered in a beautiful tapa cloth on her deathbed and looked like an 'absolute royal queen', she says. 'There were a whole lot of really precious moments that came out of [her passing] that I can really hold on to and not be so overwhelmingly full of grief.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
140 Christchurch Kids Shine In National Youth Theatre's Historic CATS Premiere
In a landmark moment for Christchurch, 140 young performers across Christchurch and Canterbury take centre stage in the National Youth Theatre's (NYT) premiere production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS – Young Actors Edition at Isaac Theatre Royal, 23-25 May for 4 shows only. This spe-cat-ular musical, seen by 73 million worldwide, brings four unforgettable shows to Ōtautahi, blending iconic songs like 'Memory,' dazzling choreography, and vibrant costumes, performed entirely by Canterbury youth aged 7-21. CATS invites audiences to the Jellicle Ball, where 140 local kids, from first timers to seasoned stars, share their stories through music and dance. Directed by Christchurch-born Jack Shatford (WAAPA-trained, Shrek the Musical), this production is more than a show - it's a life-changing journey. 'We're filling these kids with confidence to shine in life, from job interviews to school speeches,' Shatford says. The cast's stories prove it. CATS performer Alexis (Rum Tum Tugger) shares, 'It's definitely made me more confident.' Oliver (Gus) adds, 'Singing in CATS gave me a massive confidence boost.' David (Munkustrap) says, 'This huge role helped me believe I can take on anything.' Julia (Grizabella) rediscovered her passion: 'CATS brought back my love for dance.' Isabella (Grizabella) notes, 'CATS has been a big step for my singing and acting confidence.' NYT's all-access programme welcomes everyone, no auditions needed - with over 100 kids vying for lead roles. Supported by Christchurch City Council, CATS also creates youth tech jobs, cementing its community impact. Don't miss this historic premiere, perfect for families and schools. Book now through Ticketek and also enter to win tickets in our NYT's Mother's Day giveaway, offering two double passes on our Facebook and Instagram (9-12 May)! ** National Youth Theatre – Changing Lives from the Stage #nytnz #nationalyouththeatrenz #catsthemusical #whatsajelliclecat Performance: Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
