A Northland teacher sentenced for rape and assault against children in his care was not registered at the time of his offending.
The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal released a decision on Wednesday and censured Taite Hemi Kupa who was sentenced to 14 years and three months prison over charges of rape, sexual violation and assault on children between August 2011 and February 2013.
Kupa, 58, and his wife were Child, Youth and Family caregivers and ran a home for vulnerable children in Whangarei.
The teachers tribunal decision revealed Kupa was never a registered teacher and only held a limited "authority to teach" that expired in January 2013, a year prior to the convictions.
The tribunal said it appeared virtually inconceivable the relevant body would ever grant registration to Kupa that would enable him to teach in New Zealand.