Iain George Anderson, the former deputy principal at Tapawera Area School in the Tasman District, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for multiple counts of sexual offenses committed in the early 2000s.
Anderson, now 75 and in poor health, had resigned in 2006 after his relationship with a then-student came to light.
The victim described a traumatic experience of grooming, manipulation, and deceit that has affected her for over two decades.
Anderson’s actions included inappropriate physical contact and meetings outside school, ending only when the victim’s family intervened.
Despite his guilty plea, which spared the victim a trial, Anderson’s remorse was questioned, with the judge noting his lack of insight into the harm caused.
His sentence includes automatic registration as a child sex offender, with his release conditions to be determined by the Parole Board.
