Accused Shorty St actor abandons name suppression
Actor Rene Naufahu, who has been accused of numerous sex crimes during acting classes, was baptised alongside his wife and children at the weekend.
Name suppression for former Shortland Street actor Rene Naufahu lapsed yesterday after he abandoned his bid to keep his name a secret.
The 46-year-old, an original cast member who played Sam Aleni on the Kiwi soap, has denied 14 counts of indecent assault and two charges of sexual violation between 2010 and 2013 against six women.
At a name suppression hearing at the Auckland District Court last month, Judge David Sharp lifted Naufahu’s name suppression at the actor’s request.
Naufahu said he had made the decision not to seek further suppression.
“Suppression was only ever reluctantly sought by me to preserve my ability to continue to work and to try and minimise the disruption on my family who I love.
“I did not seek suppression to hide from these allegations. I don’t.
“I now no longer seek suppression with my family’s support. I am pleased to be able to make this decision and I know that it is right. I am quite prepared to confront these charges openly and will do so.”
He said he was confident that he would “not be judged” until all the relevant facts are known.
“I thank those who continue to support me.”
A social media post emerged yesterday showing Naufahu in a pool with two other men apparently being baptised.
The post read: “Proud of our @4_13athletes brother Rene! Today he was baptized alongside his wife and kids! Privileged to walk the journey with you uso. Much love from your 4:13 family. Standing with your through it all.”
It then included a Bible verse from Luke 3:21-22.
The group’s mission is to empower “Christians and non Christians who are excelling in professional sport or are up and coming/talented, these nights are all about encouraging us to go to the field, court or arena to perform for an audience of one — The one who matters the most”.
Last year, Naufahu’s trial was sud- denly aborted after two days of evidence for reasons that cannot be reported.
Before the proceedings were halted, the jury heard evidence from two of the women, who have permanent name suppression, including one Naufahu had a brief extra-marital affair with.
The alleged offending happened during acting classes led by the actor.
The defence said the sexual assaults never happened and the women had conspired together after one of them felt slighted because he’d ended their affair.
He is next due to appear in court next month.
Naufahu rose to fame starring as Sam the ambulance officer in the original cast of Shortland Street before moving on to act in the Power Rangers television series.