Anger over offences gives way to extreme sadness

Deep sadness rather than anger was the overriding emotion at the Kaitaia District Court as a once-respected teacher pleaded guilty to sex charges involving 15 young boys.

Extra police and security guards were on duty in case feelings boiled over, but the only tensions came when about 20 people were not allowed into the packed public gallery and had to wait in the foyer.

Pamapuria community member Iris Simeon said her first reaction when James Parker confessed on July 14, a day after his arrest, was disbelief. Then she had felt angry, bitter and betrayed. Now she was deeply sad.

"He was respected and kids wanted to be in his class. He was beyond being a teacher. He was whanau," she said.

She believed Parker was sincere in his apology but that he deserved to be punished. It was not just the victims and their immediate families who had been affected but the entire Pamapuria community, Mrs Simeon said.

Stephen Allen, who is co-ordinating the iwi response on behalf of Te Aupouri, Ngati Kuri, Ngai Takoto, Te Rarawa and Te Paatu, said iwi representatives would meet soon to discuss how they and other agencies could support affected families. They had already met but it had been difficult to organise support while the suppression orders were still in force.

The Advocate understands that Ministry of Education officials met iwi representatives on Tuesday night and have sent a trauma team to Kaitaia to offer support.