March 13, 2013
Children’s welfare focus of Kaitaia march
People in Kaitaia are focusing on the future as a teacher charged with sexual offending against boys at Pamapuria School goes unanswered after 23 further charges.
About 200 people marched to a park opposite the court yesterday to coincide with a further appearance by 37-year-old James Parker.
Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira says he was impressed with the wairua of fellow marchers.
“We focused on ourselves, ideas that we’ve put together and the work that we’ve got ahead of us to look after our own kids as well as picking up some of the behaviour issues that have affected some of our nephews in Pamapuria. We’re a close community, regardless of the fact that we’ve had a couple of these ding bats in our territory, it’s a wonderful place. It’s got wonderful whānau, wonderful kids and wonderful families,” he says.
Hone Harawira says the Far North community is now far more wary of who looks after their children, and kids are more comfortable about speaking out about abuse.
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