28 May 2012

Rotorua school shocked convicted teacher worked there

8:40 pm on 28 May 2012

The chair of Te Runanga Nui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori o Aotearoa says a Rotorua school is shocked to have been caught up in the Te Rito Miki affair.

It is the sector's first comment on the issue - since the jailing of Te Rito Miki, 41, on May 18.

Miki worked at Rotorua's Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Koutu for two months at the end of 2008.

He has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after he admitted to using false CVs and a forged birth certificate to get teaching jobs.

Miki has more than 60 previous convictions, including common assault, and three counts of indecent assault.

Toni Waho says the Rotorua Kura Kaupapa Maori is disturbed Miki worked for them.

But he says he is also shocked by the number of schools Miki managed to dupe.

Mr Waho says he is now awaiting the results of a ministerial inquiry which are expected to be released in June.