There may be more victims of a former Hawke's Bay teacher who yesterday pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting primary school children, police say.
Charles Harter, 63, has admitted charges of indecent assault against nine children at Havelock North Primary School from 2012 to July this year.
Detective Sergeant Nic Clere of Hastings police told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme officers are making inquiries among past pupils at Havelock North Primary School and other schools. He declined say whether police know of any other potential victims, but appealed for victims to come foward.
Harter also taught for about 20 years at Hutt Valley High in Wellington and worked at Rathkeale College and Makoura College in Masterton.
Havelock North Primary School board of trustees chair Rachel Cornwall said the guilty plea will spare the children a harrowing court process. It it had been a very difficult time and the school had been working with the police and other agencies to keep families supported and informed, she said.
Harter's lawyer Eric Forster said his client was very sorry for the harm he had caused.
"He's been beside himself and taken steps to really address his offending including fully co-operating with authorities"
Harter has been remanded in custody by and will be sentenced on 23 October at Hastings District Court.
Listen to Detective Sergeant Nic Clere