Tim Jago

Timothy Paul Jago (born ) is a New Zealand convicted sex offender and businessman who was president of political party ACT New Zealand from 2019 to 2023. He was a surf lifesaver and served as chairman of the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service. In 2024, he was convicted of indecent assault and sentenced to imprisonment.

Career Jago became involved in surf lifesaving in the 1980s, mostly around the Auckland region. By 1990, he was the operations manager of the Auckland Surf Life Saving Association and oversaw the expansion of lifeguard services to three beaches (Lion Rock, Monkey Rock and Piha) thanks to a $20,000 donation from Fresh Up which paid for extra equipment. In 2003, he was given a Distinguished Service Award by Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ). He was also made a life member of SLSNZ. He won the organisation's 'Volunteer of the Year' award in 2012. He also served as the chair of the Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service. In 2013, he was involved in the emergency response after a man was killed by a shark at the beach. In 2015, Jago referred two members of the club to Police after they were alleged to have taken "inappropriate" photos of young members and posted them online. Some time before 2021, Jago stood down from a surf lifesaving related charity—LifeSavers Foundation—during an investigation into the charity's finances.

Jago was chairman of the political party ACT New Zealand for almost four years, before resigning in January 2023 for reasons that, at the time, could not be legally disclosed. It was later revealed that the resignation happened after Jago was charged for indecently assaulting two teenage boys he mentored through a sports club between 1995 and 1999. He was granted name suppression when he was charged so the circumstances surrounding his resignation were not publicly known until after his conviction.

During his time as party president he oversaw an investigation into allegations made by the vice-president of the party’s youth wing, who claimed she had been the victim of sexual harassment. The investigation concluded with the party deciding to take no further action – a decision drawing criticism for dismissal of victims.

Sexual abuse conviction In November 2022 the ACT party was contacted by the wife of a person alleging that Jago had sexually abused them during the 1990s. Party leader David Seymour provided the contact details for an employment lawyer, but the complainant chose instead to contact Police. and stepped down as party president a few days later. In August 2023 Te Pāti Māori coleader Rawiri Waititi made a direct reference to the case in parliament, asking "Does the Prime Minister agree with a judgment that we've got the leader of ACT chiming in about law and order but is first to get name suppression for his president for heinous crimes?" Despite the case being suppressed from publication by the courts, Waititi's speech was protected by parliamentary privilege. He was later suspended from parliament for breaching standing orders.

Jago's trial began in August 2024. In statements to police in 1999 and 2023, Jago denied any wrongdoing. One of the complainants told the court he felt he had been "groomed" by Jago.

On 22 November 2024 Jago was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison and ordered to pay reparations to the victim. Jago had requested to serve his sentence in home detention, but the judge determined that would be inappropriate. In a statement, the ACT party said, "We respect the outcome of the court process and commend the courage of those who have come forward." he filed the appeal in mid-2025 and it was later dismissed.

The earliest Jago was eligible for parole was September 2025, and in October he was charged with a further indecent assault dating from 1995. In July 2026 Jago admitted to the additional assault, and 18 months was added to his prison sentence. His lawyer read a letter to the court in which Jago admitted to the offending against all three of his victims, and expressed remorse.

In March 2026, Jago was stripped of his awards and life membership by Surf Life Saving New Zealand.