Identity of teacher accused of indecent act kept a secret

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The identity of former teacher at a top secondary school accused of committing an indecent act at the school is still secret.

Name suppression remains in place for the man who was a long-serving teacher at the school until the allegations of sexual misconduct were raised with management in June last year.

He resigned from the school following an internal investigation and was suspended from teaching in December on an interim basis.

The teacher was then charged by police in April with committing an indecent act - which he denies - and has fought to keep his identity secret.

The Herald and the police opposed suppression at the hearing at the Auckland District Court this afternoon and a letter given to the court shows the school does not support name suppression for its former employee.

However, Judge Claire Ryan was convinced by the submissions of his lawyer Richard Earwaker that publication of the man's name would lead to "extreme hardship" for members of his family - one of the high thresholds which must be met for suppression to be granted.

Mr Earwaker's submissions are also suppressed. Name suppression will remain in place until the man's next court appearance and he will stand trial in August.

A New Zealand Teachers Council spokesman previously confirmed the teacher was under investigation by the education body.

"He was suspended in June last year and he resigned the following month," the spokesman said. "Our understanding is that he hasn't taught since then. He also has signed a voluntary undertaking not to teach."

The council had suspended the man on an interim basis anyway, meaning he cannot lawfully work as a teacher.

"We know about the charge and our disciplinary investigation will be completed, a tribunal hearing conducted and a decision handed down after the criminal processes are completed," the spokesman said.