Pacific

Founder of Pacific charity faces rape charges

16:23 pm on 26 July 2019

The founder of a charity to the Pacific has been charged with rape and kidnapping.

Photo: ikiryo/123RF

Craig Koning is a former head of the Floating Foundation that provides medical services to remote villages in the Pacific.

Stuff.co.nz reported Mr Koning appeared in the Auckland District Court this week.

A trial date has been set for May next year.

He faces two charges of rape and one of kidnapping for sex said to have occurred in 2004.

A statement on the foundation's website in July last year said Mr Koning had been removed from a leadership position.

The statement described Mr Koning's behaviour as "unacceptable" but praised the founder's work with the charity.