A teacher accused of assaulting children at a Whangarei Maori immersion school has resigned, but an investigation into the allegations is still being carried out by the kura kaupapa.
Earlier this month, The Northern Advocate was contacted by several parents who have children at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Rawhiti Roa, in Tikipunga, alleging that a teacher at the kura had assaulted several students..
One parent alleged her daughter was assaulted by the teacher, and said a meeting had been held with the school and the parents of up to nine other children over the matter.
The school's board of trustees has now confirmed it is investigating the claims.
Board chairman P Walker said when the allegations emerged the kura acted immediately - following legal guidelines - and stood the teacher down while information was sought from staff and parents to establish the facts.
"During this time, the staff member concerned resigned. The investigation is continuing and we are co-operating fully with all agencies concerned," Mr Walker said.
"Parents have been notified of the issue and will be updated when the investigation is complete. The school will not be in a position to comment further until that investigation is completed."
He said the health and well-being of children was the kura's first priority and any allegations of mistreatment of children by staff were treated seriously.
A Ministry of Education spokesman said at the time it was not aware of allegations of a teacher abusing children at the kura, but the kura was legally responsible for ensuring students' health and safety.
Another parent of children at the kura, who also did not want to be named, said the alleged assaults were common knowledge among parents.
She was initially concerned that only a few parents were at the first meeting, and felt all parents who had children taught by the teacher should have been informed.
"It may be that other kids have [allegedly] been assaulted by the teacher, but if we as parents don't know we can't talk to our kids to find out if that's been the case," the mother said at the time.
However, the woman said she was happy with the way the kura was now handling the situation and felt that she and other parents were being kept informed. She was also happy that the staff member had resigned as the situation had had the potential to divide parents.