Five adults living in Australia have reported abuse suffered while they were children in New Zealand, prompted by Australia's Royal Commission on child abuse, the Catholic Church says.
The commission, which started hearings yesterday, is investigating child abuse at state-run and private institutions and organisations.
The director of the Catholic church's office for professional standards, Bill Kilgallon, says five people who live in Australia but were children in New Zealand have come forward after hearing about the royal commission.
Two of them were abused at Catholic schools by men who had since died, Mr Kilgallon said.
Another claim involved three members of the same family, although further investigation was needed as it was not yet clear who was involved.
The victims would be encouraged to report the abuse to the police if the alleged perpetrators were still alive, Mr Kilgallon said.
Ken Clearwater, manager of New Zealand group Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust, said he believed more people would come forward with allegations here, thanks to the publicity of the Royal Commission's work.
He says it must be made easier for victims to feel they can come forward and be believed.
The trust was contacted by about 120 new people each year, all of whom had suffered abuse as children.
This is Lauren Baker.
