A man who was sexually abused by his teacher says the school’s investigation was a sham, with “skulduggery and secrecy” to protect “reputation damage”, and a recent Ombudsman’s decision says the school should not have withheld information.
Glenn Marshall, now 53 and living in Napier, was sexually abused in 1988 by his English teacher at Tauranga Boys’ College, Pinky Green. Other student victims of Green also came forward at the time and Green left the school that same year.
Haunted by a sense of injustice over the matter, Marshall contacted the school in 2021 asking for a proper investigation, which was completed in 2022. In January of that year, Green died.
A recently released decision by Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says the school improperly withheld information under the Official Information Act, including its legal costs.
Former student Glenn Marshall made a complaint about his teacher Pinky Green in 1988. Supplied / Stuff.Boshier says the school was not entitled to refuse requests for all information relating to the matter; correspondence between the school and its representatives about the independent review; the amount spent on legal costs and information relating to yearbooks, names and positions of staff.
Following Stuff’s questions this week, Tauranga Boys’ College principal Andrew Turner admits “we could have done better”.
He says the school will comply with the recommendations of the Ombudsman to reveal further internal documents.
“Tauranga Boys’ College would like to emphasise that it deeply regrets the historical cases of sexual propositions to former students by a former staff member. We again extend our sincere apologies to all former students who suffered abuse while in our care … We commend their bravery in coming forward and believe that what happened to them was unacceptable.”
Marshall says this apology demonstrates an ongoing disregard for victims.
“They refer to sexual propositions. Let me be clear, what happened to me was sexual abuse and that has haunted me ever since. Not calling it as it is, even now, just continues that veil of secrecy that abusers thrive in.”
The school cares more about its reputation than victims, he says.
“It acts like it's the Eton of New Zealand, and lauds former pupils like Peter Burling and Kane Williamson. The Old Boys’ motto is He Waka Eke Noa/No Boy Left Behind.
Tauranga Boys' College. Supplied / Stuff.“But the victims of Pinky Green have not been treated with respect, in my opinion, and that’s why people don’t come forward about these things. The school even charged me over $1000 when I asked for the OIA info.”
The school also revealed to Stuff its legal costs in the matter since 2021 amounted to $45,000.
“Money that parents would prefer went to their children’s education. Costs that were probably unnecessary had the school just been transparent at the beginning,” says Marshall.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier. Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas. An additional Ombudsman review of the school’s investigation is still ongoing, with that decision still to be released.
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