Commissioner hails brave CYF victim

Dr Russell Wills.

The Children's Commissioner said the bravery of one child led to a Child, Youth and Family caregiver being convicted of 21 charges of child abuse.

Taite Kupa, 57, was found guilty of charges relating to sexual and physical abuse of children in his care in Whangarei.

Commissioner Dr Russell Wills told Newstalk ZB Kupa set out to keep his offending secret, but a child spoke out about the offending.

"Vetting and screening these days is very comprehensive. [The offending] happens because someone doesn't have a record and then they have to set out systematically to avoid detection.

"The way we catch these guys is because one brave child tells someone, often it's their social worker, and we believe them."

Dr Wills said Kupa breached the trust of the children in his care and the Children's Commission.

CYF regional director for Te Tai Tokerau Marion Heeney said CYF was focused on supporting the victims of his offending now the trial was over.

"We are devastated this abuse happened to children and young people in our care," she said.

"It's our hope that the verdict will bring some closure at least to the victims of Mr Kupa's crimes."

Family First NZ is calling for an official inquiry into the policies and procedures of Child, Youth and Family following Kupa's convictions.