Wesley College kitchen worker accused of sexual conduct with a young person has been named

Tewinika Harwood arriving at the Pukekohe District Court for his previous appearance. Photo / Michael Craig

The Wesley College kitchen staffer accused of sexual conduct with an underage student can now be identified.

Tewinika Harwood, 24, who had lived on site at the country’s oldest school, appeared in the Pukekohe District Court today charged with sexual connection.

He was also given a warning after breaching his bail.

Sexual connection with a young person carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

Harwood was supported in court by family members. His lawyer advised that his client would not be pursuing name suppression.

He was remanded on bail until March 20, 2026.

The offending is alleged to have occurred in July this year against a Wesley College day student.

At the time, Harwood was working as a kitchen hand and living on-site at the school.

He resigned in August after the allegations emerged and first appeared in court last month.

Earlier this year, Wesley College principal Brian Evans told the Herald the student’s family, police and Oranga Tamariki were immediately informed after the school learned of the allegations in August.

After being notified of the claims, Harwood did not return to work.

Evans said the school’s first priority was the student’s wellbeing.

“We offered her and her family support, then handed the matter over to police for investigation.

“The family expressed appreciation for the way the situation was handled under our safeguarding protocols ... We have not identified any other students affected.”

Evans said the worker had passed police vetting and reference checks before being employed.

Based on Wesley’s investigation and the police inquiry, the school was satisfied there was no further risk to students, he said.

“So sharing the information with other parents was not deemed necessary.”

Wesley College in headlines over student safety

Last month the entire Wesley College trust board was dissolved and an independent review launched, after ongoing concerns around student safety and a public stoush between the principal and Education Review Office (ERO).

It was recently revealed that a violent incident involving more than 30 senior boarders at the college prompted the drastic recommendation.

This followed an ERO report that recommended the suspension of Wesley’s hostel licence.

Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues such as sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.

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