Disgraced teacher's conduct ignored

Photo / Herald on Sunday

Disgraced Northland former teacher Hone Mutu retained his position as chairman of a children's kapa haka competition despite organisers knowing he was facing charges before the New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal.

Keri Milne-Ihimaera, co-ordinator of Te Mana Kuratahi 2011, a national primary school kapa haka competition, said she had been aware Mr Mutu was facing charges before the tribunal but did not question him on the nature of the allegations.

"We were aware that there was ongoing issues in terms of a ... case going on with Hone. However, the work he was doing, there was no direct contact with the groups or children.''

The Mana Kuratahi competition was held in Whangarei from November 7 - 10, just one month after the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal hearing during which Mr Mutu admitted to serious misconduct at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Kaikohe in 2004.

Mr Mutu's inappropriate conduct with students, including talking to female students about their sexual experiences, giving gifts to favourite students and kissing a 15-year-old student whilst lying on a mattress with her in her home, led to his being deregistered from the Teachers Council.

Following his suspension from the kura in 2007, Mr Mutu went on to become the chief executive of a national organisation that supports the development of kura kaupapa.

However, on October 20, just 10 days after his hearing, Mr Mutu informed the tribunal that he had left his job at Te Runanga Nui o nga Kura Kaupapa Maori o Aotearoa.

Mr Mutu had worked with Te Mana Kuratahi in an administrative role on a voluntary basis, Ms Milne-Ihimaera said.

She said that she had not known the full extent of the charges faced by Mr Mutu, nor had she discussed the appropriateness of his appointment with any of the national committee.

When asked if Mr Mutu would continue to be involved with Te Mana Kuratahi in the future, Ms Milne-Ihimaera said that decision would be up to the national committee.

"It's not an appointment, they're just voluntary positions that he volunteered for,'' she said.

"It's a voluntary role but my opinion is we'd continue to value Hone's participation in kapa haka.''

The Northern Advocate was unable to contact Mr Mutu yesterday.

Mr Mutu's wife, Deborah Mutu, was also deregistered from the Teachers Council for her role in not properly investigating the allegations about her husband's misconduct.

She was principal of the Kaikohe kura, and Mr Mutu a teacher, when the incidents of serious misconduct occurred between 2004-2007.