Source: Radio New Zealand
Former Auckland executive Greg Hornblow was convicted of receiving “commercial sexual services” from a person aged under 18. Finn Blackwell
A former Auckland executive who was convicted of receiving “commercial sexual services” from a person aged under 18 can now be named.
Greg Hornblow’s name suppression has now lapsed.
Hornblow, who is former OneRoof chief at NZME, admitted to the charge in November 2025.
He was sentenced at the Auckland District Court in early March to 10-month home detention and ordered to pay $3000 in emotional harm reparations.
The man’s lawyer, Graeme Newell sought a discharge without conviction, saying his client believed the girl involved to be 17-years-old.
But in reality she was 14.
He cited the hardship Hornblow would have in finding work, as well as the impact it would have on his family.
Newell said the consequences of his actions had already been significant and that a conviction would make them extended and amplified.
He said Hornblow was deeply ashamed of what he had done.
Details of the relationship between the two were outlined by Judge Kathryn Maxwell in the Auckland District Court during the case.
The executive met the girl over Snapchat in September of 2025.
He reported himself as a sugar daddy, according to the summary of the offending.
The victim asked for UberEats, which the executive provided in exchange for intimate photos and videos of the girl, Judge Maxwell said.
Over the course of three weeks, she sent 12 photos and 19 videos of a sexual nature, including a short video of her in her school uniform.
He paid $1000 to the teen to come to his house, where the two engaged in unspecified sexual activity in his bedroom, Judge Maxwell said.
The man told the girl he couldn’t pay her for sex, and instructed her to say she wanted to have sex and he had just given her the money.
Judge Maxwell said the victim felt disgusted by her interaction with the man.
She said he had effectively enticed her to prostitute herself, and coached her to avoid the application of the law.
“I do not accept the offending was less serious because the victim consented,” she said.
Under the Prostitution Reform Act, no one under the age of 18 may be contracted for commercial sexual services. The legal age of consent is 16.
Maxwell said the victim was underage for what he intended, and he knew it.
Judge Maxwell refused Hornblow’s application for a discharge without conviction, as well as his permanent name suppression.
A law change last year meant the victim had to agree to the man’s identity remaining suppressed, which Judge Maxwell said she did not.
She gave discounts for his guilty plea, remorse, and reported good character.
He was convicted , and sentenced to 10-months of home detention as well as the $3000 in emotional harm reparations.
At the time, Judge Maxwell granted interim suppression for Hornblow which has now lapsed.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand