KEY POINTS:
Kamo High School principal Bernard Taffs has appeared in court on a drink-driving charge, but he doesn't want his "mistake" to undermine anti-drink-driving efforts.
Taffs, 52, was stopped by police in Kamo Rd on August 2.
He allegedly recorded a blood- alcohol level of 149 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood - nearly twice the legal limit of 80 milligrams.
Taffs appeared in the Whangarei District Court this week charged with driving with excess blood alcohol.
Duty solicitor Cornelius Eckard told a registrar Taffs intended to plead guilty to the charge, but he could not do so because no judge was available to take the plea and sentence him.
Taffs was remanded at large until October 1 for sentencing, when he faces a fine and must be disqualified from driving for at least six months.
A contrite Taffs said he had made a "huge error of judgment" and deeply regretted his decision to drive that night.
"More importantly I have let down my family, colleagues and the parents and students I serve," he said.
Taffs apologised to his own children and his students, some of whom take part in anti-drink-driving campaigns through Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD).
"As a role model and principal I continually push safety and my actions have not reinforced this message.
"I hope that they can learn from my mistake," he told The Northern Advocate. "I was fortunate that no one was hurt and no damage was done. There will not be a next time.
"I would hope that the public, while having every right to be disappointed, will acknowledge my commitment to teaching and the youth of our city over the past 27 years."
He did not want his mistake to undermine the efforts of police and others, including SADD, to reduce drink-driving rates. National road policing manager superintendent Dave Cliff said that in police alcohol surveys in Northland more than 1.5 per cent of motorists stopped were found to be over the alcohol limit. That compared to the national average of 0.7 per cent.
Kamo High School's Board of Trustees issued a statement confirming its support for Taffs.
"The board wants to make it clear that the incident did not occur during school hours.
"The charge was laid late in the evening after Mr Taffs had been attending a formal dinner in his own private time and was breathalysed on his way home at a traffic police checkpoint.
"Mr Taffs is devastated with respect to the incident and has unreservedly apologised to the board for his significant error of judgment.
Taffs had 27 years teaching and leadership experience and had always exhibited an exemplary standard of personal conduct, the board said.
"The board has assured Mr Taffs that they will support him and his family during this difficult time for him as they believe he has many positive attributes to offer Kamo High School students, staff, and the wider community."
Before taking the reins at Kamo, Taffs was principal of Tikipunga High School, and is credited with turning the fortunes of that school around and increasing its roll by more than 40 per cent.
- Northern Advocate
