Abuse victims' tough times far from over - counsellor

A counsellor working with victims sexually abused by a CYF caregiver says guilty verdicts were a relief for whanau but challenging times still lay ahead.

A jury found Taite Hemi Kupa, 57, guilty in the High Court at Whangarei on 21 of 23 charges after two days of deliberation.

Kupa was charged with nine counts of assaulting a child under 14, one of assaulting a female, three of raping a child under 16, nine of unlawful sexual connection with a child under 16, and one of attempted rape of a child under 16.

Not guilty verdicts were returned on Thursday on two charges of sexual violation by unlawful connection.

Te Waka Whaanui director Charles Hohaia, also a counsellor, said the families welcomed the guilty verdicts but questions were being asked about how the abuse could have happened to youth in CYF care.

Mr Hohaia said sentencing would be the next tough phase for the young people to deal with.

The group is contracted by Child Youth and Family to help the victims and their families.

"We will be helping them to prepare mentally and emotionally for the next part of their journey and beyond," he said.

"The court process might end but for these kids and their whanau they need help to some how manage their way through this ordeal and given the best opportunities for their futures."

Te Waka Whaanui, based in Auckland, would be helping with meetings between the families and CYF, Mr Hohaia said.

Meanwhile, a child's bravery in speaking out had led to the conviction, Children's Commissioner Dr Russell Wills said.

"[The offending] happens because someone doesn't have a record and then they have to set out systematically to avoid detection," he said. "The way we catch these guys is because one brave child tells someone, often it's their social worker, and we believe them."

Kupa will be sentenced on June 20.