A New Zealand tourist appeared in the Criminal Court at Avarua charged with indecent assault on Friday.

The defendant, Spencer Byran, who is a builder planned to return to New Zealand on Thursday with his wife but was stopped by police and was arrested and charged.

Cook Islands News understands the indecent assault was allegedly on a 19-year-old woman. 

The alleged incident took place at a tourist accommodation, the court heard the defendant has since moved to another accommodation away from the alleged victim.

The court heard alcohol was also a factor in the alleged indecent assault.

The tourist's lawyer, Norman George applied for bail, which was not opposed by the police.

Justice of the Peace, Georgina Keenan-Williams granted bail to the defendant with the conditions of not leaving the Cook Islands without permission of the High Court, not consuming alcohol and having no association with the alleged victim.

The defendant also had to submit his passport to the High Court.

The matter is adjourned to Thursday next week.

George told the court he intended to apply for a bail bond so his client could return to New Zealand.

The bail bond would require the defendant to deposit a certain amount of cash prior to leaving New Zealand.

If the defendant did not honour their bail condition the money would be forfeited to the court.