12 Nov 2012

Ngati Kahu condemns child sex offender

7:51 am on 12 November 2012

A Ngati Kahu spokesperson says former Pamapuria teacher James Parker has left deep scars across his community by abusing his pupils.

Parker is in custody awaiting sentence after admitting 49 charges of indecent assault and unlawful sexual connection and faces further charges against more boys.

Ngati Kahu chief executive Anahera Herbert Graves says as well as breaking the law, Parker has desecrated Maori values and tikanga.

Ms Graves says children who have been abused have had their mana and tapu breached, and a jail sentence cannot restore what Parker has done.

She says whanau left devastated by his abuse are now having to pick up the pieces and restore their young people's self-respect.