Sam Sherwood of RNZ

Police say an investigation into a man accused of sexual offending against four young boys is being hampered by a "high degree of obfuscation" by the defendant and his wife.

The officer in charge of the investigation has outlined concerns the couple have "spread misinformation" and "created a culture of fear" in order to "prevent potential witnesses and complainants from engaging with police".

Extensive suppression orders prevent RNZ from being able to publish who the defendant is, where the alleged offending occurred and other details.

A District Court judge's judgment from March this year, released to RNZ, said the man faces 18 charges alleging "serious sexual offending" between 2022 and 2024.…