Former New Zealand police officer and convicted rapist Jamie Foster is seeking to overturn his convictions with support from his influencer fiancée, Sera Cruickshank, and a private investigator.
Foster, 36, was convicted of raping a female colleague at a Kerikeri motel while both were assigned to Waitangi Day celebrations in 2019. He denied charges of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection and indecent assault, but was sentenced to six years in prison in 2020.
After unsuccessful legal challenges, Foster was released on parole in April 2022. Two years later, he met influencer Sera at a gym, and the pair began a relationship, according to The New Zealand Herald. They welcomed a son five months ago.
Foster is now asking the Criminal Cases Review Commission to independently examine his convictions, pointing to evidence he says raises concerns about the police investigation.
“The evidence we have is compelling,” Cruickshank told The New Zealand Herald on Nov. 3. “What the police have gotten away with is just not good enough. It has destroyed his life and, falling in love with him, it has in ways destroyed mine. The CCRC is our only option.”
“There are substantial flaws in the case, some of which have been recognized by the courts,” private investigator Tim McKinnel told the outlet. “The question now is whether they are enough to call the integrity of Jamie’s convictions into question.”
McKinnel has investigated the case since the couple contacted him in 2025, he previously told The New Zealand Herald.
“At first I was somewhat reluctant because the case had already moved through most of the criminal justice process,” he said. “But after examining it, we identified several issues that appeared to warrant a closer review.”
What Crimes Did Jamie Foster Commit?
Foster and the victim were staying overnight at a motel where alcohol was being consumed and there was a “party atmosphere,” according to a 2021 New Zealand Supreme Court judgment reviewed by Oxygen.
At about 12:30 a.m., the woman said she entered Foster’s room to get a drink. She alleged that he assaulted her and that she resisted. About two hours later, she said she woke in her own room and found Foster penetrating her, but that he stopped when she objected.
The judgment said the woman then recorded a conversation in which Foster “accepted that some sexual activity occurred, though he initially denied it.”
Foster’s defense lawyer argued that he interpreted her response during the first incident as meaning “not yet” and that she later invited him to her bedroom, according to the judgment. Foster also said he believed she had initially consented before withdrawing that consent.
What Evidence Is Being Questioned in Jamie Foster’s Rape Case?
Documents obtained by The New Zealand Herald allegedly indicate that eight officers involved in Foster’s case signed conflict-of-interest forms. Those documents were not provided to his defense team until four months after his conviction.
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The Court of Appeal reportedly said that knowing about the forms earlier could have affected how the defense presented its case.
Cruickshank also alleged that a police officer contacted a forensic science agency before testing was complete and claimed Foster had showered to hide DNA evidence.
Foster denied showering, and forensic testing “was unable to link him” to the victim, the outlet reported.
Cruickshank further questioned how thoroughly surveillance and audio recordings used at trial had been examined.
“Hard drives that were sent to the employment investigation team never arrived,” Cruickshank said, according to the outlet, “and a backup that was recorded was corrupt.”
She also alleged that some officers altered their statements after viewing surveillance footage connected to the case.
A New Zealand Police spokesperson told Oxygen that Foster was convicted following a “thorough” investigation and trial.
“The issues you mention were considered by the Court of Appeal, which dismissed Mr. Foster’s appeal in March 2021,” the spokesperson said. “The Supreme Court later declined leave for a further appeal in July 2021.”
“It would be inappropriate for police to relitigate these convictions through the media,” the spokesperson continued. “Beyond undermining the judicial process, doing so risks retraumatizing the victim, who has shown admirable courage.”
Cruickshank said she remains committed to supporting her fiancé.
“Jamie told me immediately: ‘You need to know I was convicted of rape,’” she told The New Zealand Herald. “I think that says a lot about him. I’m a straight shooter too.”
“In some ways, I’m carrying his conviction too,” Cruickshank added. “People look at me and think, ‘Why is she marrying a sex offender?’”
Representatives for Cruickshank and New Zealand Police did not immediately respond to Oxygen’s requests for comment.
