Auckland actor who twice played Cookie Bear charged with child sex abuse
An Auckland actor who twice portrayed the Cookie Bear and worked as an extra on international and local productions has been accused of historical child sexual abuse and also sending explicit messages to young people in the past year.
Police told the Herald that a 2025 investigation into actor Isaac Lucas led to the reactivation of a historical investigation file from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“A 62-year-old man is now facing seven charges of unlawful sexual connection with a male under 12 and nine charges of indecent assault on a boy under 12."
The charges related to one complainant, police said.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
In separate alleged offending, Lucas is also facing three charges of exposing a young person to sexually explicit messages in 2025.
These charges carry a maximum jail term of three years relating to alleged messages in August, September and October.
He allegedly used the social media sites Chat Avenue and The Session to speak to minors. Details of a graphic sexual message that Lucas allegedly sent to a 9-year-old are included in court documents seen by the Herald.
Lucas declined to comment on the case when approached by the Herald last week.
The actor lists his acting experience online as having twice played Cookie Bear for Hudson’s Biscuits - a well-loved mascot which for years was featured on Griffin’s Chocolate Chippie, Hundreds & Thousands and Stripe biscuits.
A popular icon in the 1970s, the associated Cookie Bear club was joined by 162,000 children (nearly one in four Kiwi kids at the time).
Lucas’ other appearances including being an extra on King Kong, The Lord of the Rings, and Without a Paddle as well as a wedding guest on the Breaker Uperers.
Isaac Lucas has been an extra in a range of productions and featured in local ads. Photo / Supplied
He is listed in the soundtrack credits for the movie WandaVision and has appeared on the New Zealand TV show Sensing Murder.
Lucas is due to stand trial in May next year.
Where to get help:
If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:
• Call 0800 044 334
• Text 4334
• Email support@safetotalk.nz
• For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nz
Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
• Contact HELP Auckland on 0800 623 1700
If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.
Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues including sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.
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