November 24, 2014
Whangaroa principal deregistered
Whanau at Northland's Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Whangaroa feel vindicated by a decision by the New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal to censure former principal Louisa Mutu and cancel her teacher registration.
The tribunal found Ms Mutu guilty of serious misconduct for inappropriate behaviour with a student.
The school has been run by a commissioner after some parents withdrew their children at the start of the year and complained about the validity of the 2013 board elections.
Whanau spokespeople Terry Smith and Moana Tuwhare say that the complaint was driven by people who were upset the board sacked Ms Mutu.
They say the community and parents at the kura can finally know what happened last year regarding the dismissal.
Mr Smith says the original complainant, the previous board members and their children have been subjected to ongoing harassment and intimidation in public and on social media by Ms Mutu's supporters.
The dismissal of the board by the Ministry of Education and the appointment of a commissioner is being challenged by kura parents in the High Court in Whangarei on December 4.
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