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Bernard McGrath was sentenced to five years jail in the High Court in Christchurch in 2006 for sexually abusing boys at Marylands School in the 1970s - Source: Fairfax -
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The extradition hearing for a former Catholic brother wanted in Australia to face 252 sexual abuse charges will take place on April 12.
The date was set at a Christchurch District Court hearing this morning where Bernard Kevin McGrath - a convicted sex offender in New Zealand - made a brief appearance before Judge Emma Smith.
The 65-year-old was jailed in 2006 for offending against boys at Marylands School in Christchurch. He also spent time behind bars in the 1990s for similar offending.
It is alleged he repeatedly raped, molested and abused dozens of young boys at church-run institutions in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese during the late 1970s and 80s.
McGrath remains on bail and is staying with his sister in Christchurch. He will oppose the extradition.
The Commonwealth of Australia must file its evidence, and provide copies to the defence and the Crown, by March 1.
Submissions by McGrath must be filed by March 15, and then submissions by the Australian authorities by March 29.