Trust awaits police inquiry

A Porirua-based trust confirmed last week that an indecent assault being investigated by police involves one of its own staff members.

Taeaomanino Trust, which has its offices in the old Porirua Hospital grounds, issued a statement but said no further comment would be made until after an internal investigation and a trust board meeting tomorrow.

The police enquiry comes after complaints from former NZ Aids Foundation clients. Taeaomanino chief executive Utulei Antipas says while they in no way condone the behaviour, ‘‘until the staff member has entered a plea we will not speculate on the veracity of the charges’’.

He says the trust has not been formally asked by the NZ Aids Foundation or the police to assist in any investigation and anything related to employment of the staff member will be determined only after they hold their internal review.

Taeaomanino Trust is no stranger to controversy, after $107,000 of taxpayer funds went missing in 2010 and there were allegations of overinflated expense claims and senior managers employing relatives.

The organisation provides social support services to Pacific families and groups in Porirua, such as family therapy, home-based help and alcohol and drug counselling. They have received Family Start and Whanau Ora funding.