The police say the offending happened between June 2011 and June 2012.

Sealord said the offending was unintentional and the result of human error.

The Serious Fraud Office said the offending happened over seven years to 2012.

He said the offending was long-lasting and involved a serious breach of trust.

The court said the offending is among the most serious of its kind.

Justice Lang said the offending was a gross breach of trust.

He said the offending was serious and would not be tolerated.

Prosecutor Joshua Robins said the offending was sustained and had several aggravating features.

Judge Cato says the offending had the potential to bring Tonga into disrepute.

Judge Fraser said the offending was serious and would ordinarily attract a prison sentence.

Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Sutherland said the offending was abhorrent.

Mr Whyte said the offending directly impacted on public order and had several aggravating features.

At the Auckland District Court, Judge Eddie Paul said the offending was motivated by greed.

A PD spokeswoman said the offending items had been placed on lampposts outside the railings.

Defence lawyer Bill Dawkins said the offending was opportunistic.

He said the offending code on the site was written specifically to target the browser flaw.