More than 200 parents and children have marched through the streets of Kaitaia protesting against child abuse.
The hikoi coincides with the latest court appearance of disgraced teacher James Parker, who has admitted 49 charges of indecent assault involving more than a dozen boys.
The offending covers a period of more than a decade.
Parker, 33, who was the deputy principal of Pamapuria Primary School, has also been charged with an additional 23 offences, including four of sexual violation. He has yet to enter a plea on those charges.
The marchers, who include many young children, gathered on a riverbank opposite the Kaitaia courthouse as the court considered sentencing options for Parker.
The protest leader says the fallout from Parker's offending has been horrific and still continues.
