Miriama Harmer, the former principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi, had her teacher’s registration cancelled after making nearly $30,000 in unauthorised cash withdrawals and payments using a school credit card.
Between January 2017 and January 2019 Harmer used the card at various establishments including restaurants, pubs, and a casino without the board’s approval.
Despite repaying $25,000 of the debt and claiming the expenditures were for ‘school-related purposes’, her conduct was deemed serious by the Teacher’s Council. The council cited her failure to uphold the standards expected of a teacher, leading to her formal censure and registration cancellation. Harmer has since sought counselling and engaged with the Problem Gambling Foundation.
