Abuse whistleblower speaks out

The former Oturu School principal who spoke out about James Parker's behaviour 16 years ago has also spoken out about the gossip and back-biting she suffered as a result.

Fiona Lovatt-Davis, who is currently working in education in the strife-torn Nigerian city of Kano, travelled to Kaitaia on Wednesday to take part in a hikoi calling for an end to child abuse.

The hikoi was timed to coincide with the latest court appearance by former Pamapuria School deputy principal James Parker, who faces more than 70 charges of sexually abusing boys during sleepovers at his home.

Ms Lovatt-Davis tried to bring her concerns about sleepovers to the police early in Parker's career and refused to support his registration as a teacher. The police officer's only response was to rough Parker up a little, she said.

She was a speaker, alongside hikoi organiser Anahera Herbert-Graves and Mana Party leader Hone Harawira, at a gathering after the march.

"As someone who endured the gossip of this town - end the gossip and back-biting.

"Speak what is good, what is truthful," she said.

She also urged more support for Parker's 20 victims and commended the bravery of the boys who had taken their complaints to the police in 2009.

She suggested a properly supervised camp where children could go, with family involvement, to experience the kind of outdoor adventures Parker used to entice boys to stay at his farm.

Wednesday's hikoi spawned similar events in Whangarei, Auckland and Hastings.

Ms Herbert-Graves hoped it would raise awareness, encourage people to love and look out for their children, and be the start of a series of events such as workshops.