5 Dec 2013

Teacher's time in Te Kuiti investigated

5:50 pm on 5 December 2013

Police are investigating whether a teacher already facing sex charges at a South Waikato school committed offences at another school.

Reuben Tapara has pleaded guilty to 11 charges of sexually abusing boys at a kura in Putaruru and one charge of supplying cannabis.

The 33-year-old taught at the school in Putaruru for three years, ending up as assistant principal.

Police say they are now investigating his time teaching at a kura in Te Kuiti, where he taught for several years until 2008.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead said on Thursday police are waiting for records of his employment and school rolls from that time before a decision is made on how best to identify anyone who may have been a victim.

"There's only one school that we're looking at here in the Waikato. We are aware that there is a complaint in relation to that school and we need to explore whether there's more than that."

Mr Whitehead encouraged anyone who has been subjected to or has witnessed inappropriate behaviour to contact police.