Far North teacher's child sex trial starts today

A jury trial for a Far North teacher who's accused of a range of child sex offences is expected to get underway at the High Court in Whangarei today.

Taite Kupa has pleaded not guilty to a total of 18 charges.

They include five counts of assault on a child under 14, one of assault on a female and four of raping girls under 16.

They also include seven charges of unlawful sexual connection and another of attempted rape.

Most of the 57-year-old's alleged offending relates to children under the age of 14.

The jury trial's expected to take up to nine days.