The lawyer for a health practitioner convicted of sexual offences and found unfit to practise has argued for leniency.
The practitioner, who cannot be named, appeared before the Health Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal in Wellington on Monday.
Many key details surrounding the case are also suppressed, following the man's guilty plea and conviction in the High Court in July last year.
The tribunal was told on Monday that the offending against a teenager living at the practitioner's house at the time was serious and prolonged.
The tribunal said this reflected adversely on his fitness to practise and is considering penalties.
The practitioner's lawyer said his client accepted the conviction and that it reflected adversely on his fitness to practise.
However, the lawyer said the cancellation of his client's ability to work professionally would be wrong and he should be allowed to resume work, with conditions.
The counsel for the professional conduct committee of the Medical Council said the behaviour was serious against a vulnerable victim.
