Private Christchurch girls' school Rangi Ruru. Photo: Google Maps
A teacher has been struck off after having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student at a private Christchurch girls' school.
The Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal found the behaviour of Taurapa, formerly known as Connor Taurapa Matthews, struck at the heart of the student-teacher relationship and was at the "most serious end" of misconduct cases.
Taurapa was employed as a te reo Māori teacher at Rangi Ruru in 2018 and involved in performing arts groups when he started showering Helena Dray with attention and affection in a relationship that lasted almost a year.
Dray asked the tribunal to waive her right to privacy through name suppression, while Taurapa lost a bid to keep his name secret.
Taurapa gifted Dray a writing journal for her 16th birthday and two poems - one of which was titled 'Words of Love' - and pursued her through near-daily messaging, which graduated to the exchange of nude photographs and sexual activity.
Dray told the tribunal Taurapa made space on a classroom floor with pillows and blankets for students to watch a musical on a projector one evening, when he kissed and "felt her up", including touching her breasts.
Taurapa was also a tutor living at a Christ's College boarding house - a private boys' school that often holds joint extra-curricular activities and events with Rangi Ruru.
During rehearsals for a musical production with Christ's College, Dray said Taurapa would kiss and grope her in the dressing rooms, telling her it did not have any security cameras.
Dray said Taurapa would often tell her to make sure she deleted their messages from her phone and "not to leave a trace".
Taurapa made it clear their relationship was to be kept a secret, the tribunal said.
"From initial grooming with attention and gifts, this quickly evolved into a highly inappropriate and sexualised relationship," the decision said.
"This type of conduct strikes at the heart of the teacher-student relationship. It is at the most serious end of serious misconduct cases that come before the tribunal."
The tribunal said Taurapa abused his position of trust and authority and left Dray "bouncing around a dangerous myriad of thoughts and feelings".
"Some days she thought they were 'in love'. He rapidly moved her through a range of intimate chapters. Mental and emotional impact began to occur even during the relationship. Even if Ms Dray was predisposed to that ... they were certainly exacerbated by Taurapa.
"We accept that the effect on her has been significant."
Taurapa's behaviour was exposed after photographs were taken of his car outside Dray's house late at night in 2019.
He also sent inappropriate messages to another 16-year-old girl, bought designer earrings for her 17th birthday, invited her punting on the Avon, and asked for pictures of her in a bikini.
The disciplinary tribunal ordered the cancellation of Taurapa's teacher's registration for serious misconduct.
He had sought name suppression, arguing because he was Māori he would suffer from "tabloid-style" publication, but the tribunal found this was not a real and appreciable risk.
The tribunal noted both Rangi Ruru and Christ's College acted responsibly when concerns were raised.
Where to get help for sexual violence
Victim Support 0800 842 846
Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00
HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655 - push 0 at the menu
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496
