Auckland teacher denies molestation charges

The defendant was granted name suppression. Photo / File

An Auckland teacher accused of molesting four of his students has denied all charges against him.

The man, in his 50s, faces nine counts of indecent assault, which allegedly took place over a three-year period beginning in 2012.

The defendant was granted name suppression as was the name of the school but Judge Christopher Field relaxed the previous suppression order to allow publication of the man's occupation.

Defence lawyer Steven Lack said the man held a senior position at the school and was an experienced staff member.

If his name was published and he was subsequently acquitted, his career would effectively be over, he said.

According to court documents, the alleged offending involved groping female students' breasts and bottoms.

Police say it took place in the classroom and during sports training.

The youngest of the four complainants was 11 at the time, and the oldest was 13.

The court heard the police had undertaken a three-month investigation when the allegations arose, and interviewed more than 100 past and present pupils.

Mr Lack said if his client was cleared of the charges he intended to continue teaching.

According to the Education Council website, the teacher still has a full registration, which expires next year.

However, the lawyer confirmed he had volunteered not to teach until the criminal charges had been resolved.

The case will be back before the court in March, when a jury trial date will likely be set.