A South Waikato teacher facing sexual abuse charges has had suppression of his name lifted in the Hamilton District Court.
Rueben James Tapara, 30, was a teacher at a Maori immersion school in Putaruru until his arrest in October this year.
He faces seven charges: three of sexual violation, three of doing an indecent act on a boy aged between 12 and 16 and one charge of supplying cannabis to a person under the age of 18. The charges relate to one complainant.
Police told the court on Friday that more charges may be laid. No plea has been entered and Mr Tapara was remanded in custody until 3 December.
The principal of Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Patetere says the school had no inkling of anything wrong and the arrest came as a big shock.
Keith Silveira says there was never any concern expressed by staff, students or parents about the accused, who had been at the school for three years.
Mr Silviera says the school's board acted immediately by dismissing him.
