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A Feilding Catholic Maori boys' boarding school principal accused of sex charges has been freed on strict bail conditions.
Hato Paora College headmaster Elvis Dobson Shepherd, known as Tihirau Shepherd, appeared in Palmerston North District Court yesterday facing one charge of sexual violation and five of indecency.
Two of the offences allegedly occurred in 1990 and the rest in June and July this year
Shepherd entered no plea and was bailed to appear in Feilding District Court on November 20.
He was ordered to reside at a certain address, keep away from the college, and not associate with children under the age of 16 without an adult being present.
The school said last night Shepherd was no longer involved with the school and parents of children had been notified.
Shepherd, 46, is a prominent Maori educator and as recently as 2005 the Education Review Office described him as providing "positive leadership".
- NZPA
