The former principal of Kaikohe Christian School in Northland is to defend multiple charges of sex crimes against boys.
Raymond George Melrose appeared in Kaikohe District Court on Friday charged with 13 historical offences.
Mr Melrose was the principal of Kaikohe Christian School for 16 years until he resigned this year.
The charges against him relate to alleged offending forty years ago, before he came to Northland.
He is charged with offences against two boys, aged between 12 and 16, ranging from indecent assault to sodomy.
Through his lawyer, Mr Melrose told the court he will plead not guilty to all the charges, and he has elected trial by jury.
He was released on bail to re-appear on 28 January next year.