Paedophile allegations ‘out of the blue’
Friends and family of alleged paedophile Awanui Black are struggling to come to terms with the shocking revelation that ‘‘came out of the blue’’.
Black was a prominent Ma¯ori leader and public figure in Tauranga but that changed on the weekend when his widow, Anihera, broadcast a public message via Facebook labelling him a ‘‘predator, pimp and ringleader of one of many child sex rings in his beloved Tauranga’’.
Two close friends of Black, who asked not to be named, said Anihera’s words, which were given just ahead of Black’s unveiling, were shocking and they did not know what to think.
Black died in November 2016.
Not having Facebook themselves, his friends said they had the message played to them over the phone.
‘‘It came out of the blue. The Anihera we were hearing on that message was not the one we knew,’’ they said.
‘‘We had been speaking to her about the unveiling in the weeks ahead. She was happy and this was just out of the blue.’’
While shocked, the pair want to see a full police investigation to get to the heart of the matter.
Anihera’s words gained support from another prominent Ma¯ ori leader Sir Toby Curtis, who’s known for his achievements in education and helping establish the Ma¯ ori radio and television networks.
He is also on the Iwi Chairs Forum and last year called for an end to the silence around child abuse.
‘‘She showed courage to act,’’ he said. Curtis said it was now hard to think of anything good to do with Black.
‘‘When a person has been involved in that type of activity it’s not about asking if he is a good person or not,’’ he said.
‘‘My mind immediately goes turns to the victims.
‘‘I have difficulty focusing on anything Awanui achieved.’’
Curtis said the matter would likely be handled by family and hapu but he is willing to support anyone wanting to speak up about abuse.
‘‘If someone asks me I am happy to assist in whatever way I can,’’ he said.
In her message, Anihera said the pain and suffering her husband caused would live on for generations to come.
‘‘I wondered why Awa invited so many young people through our homes over the years ... I know differently now.’’
She apologised for what Black had allegedly done and asked all his alleged victims to speak up and take the power back.
A stunning mural depicting Black performing a haka has been covered over by the artist Mr G who has been praised by his fans for his quick action.
Police are investigating the allegations.