He was a priest for 73 years and served in Rotorua for over 60 years. He retired in 2008.

Originally from the Netherlands, Timmerman studied to be a priest there, being ordained in 1945.

In 1949 he came to New Zealand with four other Mill Hill priests.

He was appointed to Waitaruke near Whangarei for a short time, before moving to Rotorua where he stayed until his retirement.

Timmerman had served at St Michael's, St Mary's and St Joseph's parishes.

He was involved in setting up the Catholic schools Mary MacKillop College and Edmund Rice College which merged to become John Paul College.

He was also on the committee for the centennial celebration of Catholic education in Rotorua in 2003.

Even though coming to New Zealand was not Timmerman's own choice he eventually came to call New Zealand home.

"This is my country, these are my people now," he told the Rotorua Daily Post at the time of his retirement.

On Monday Ngati Whakaue kaumatua Monty Morrison and a contingent from Rotorua went to Auckland to bring Timmerman to Hurungaterangi Marae where his tangi took place.

The bishop of Hamilton Stephen Lowe presided at his funeral at St Mary's Church in Rotorua on Wednesday.

The service, which was a combination of Maori and Catholic rituals, was attended by about 600 people.

John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh said Timmerman was a priest with deep faith and a generous heart.

"He had a great love of young people and Maori culture, going as far as to learn te reo Maori.

He also had a great sense of humour and humility about him," Walsh said.

Source

• nzherald.co.nz
• nzherald.co.nz
• rotoruanow.co.nz
• Image: nzherald.co.nz

"This blessing ensured that our school was prepared properly for the safe arrival of our tamariki and their whanau," she wrote.

Crouch said pupils and parents were given the opportunity to come together with staff and the board of trustees before school to add strength to the healing process.

"A representative from almost every whanau was present," she said.

"Additionally, we were supported by a number of parishioners from our Catholic community.

"Deacon Ben Pomare lead our karakia which saw our entire community praying the rosary, walking together around our school and sprinkling holy water over our grounds and buildings. Deacon Ben again blessed our whenua, the children, staff and whanau."

She said the school community collectively prayed with love and compassion for the "beautiful woman who tragically lost her life".

Lynace Parakuka was found dead 11:40pm Friday in the St Michael's school grounds.

Police have arrested a 19 year old man in conjunction with the murder. He is known to Parakuka.

• Source: Rotorua Post

Robert Selwyn Burrett, 64, pleaded guilty to 21 child sex abuse charges last month.

His 40-year career in New Zealand's education system came to an end last year after he was arrested and charged while working as a special needs bus driver and school caretaker in Christchurch.

His victims were as young as 5; some were intellectually disabled and one was wheelchair-bound.

He is due to be sentenced next month.

The New Zealand Herald reported that in 1994, Burrett got a job as deputy principal at Pukenui School in Te Kuiti.

Former principal Keith McKenzie said Burrett was hired on the strength of a glowing reference from a Catholic school in Rotorua.

However, two Catholic schools in the city have no record of Burrett ever working there, reported the New Zealand Herald.

Parents, board members and former students from the two schools Burrett was removed from - Lake Rotoma School and Pukenui School - were brought to tears when they learned of his crimes, citing red flags as early as 1990.

They believe the abuse in Christchurch could have been prevented if his employment history was properly recorded.

The only black marks on Burrett's record were two drink-driving convictions.

Pukenui School tried to fire Burrett for incompetency - alleging he was drunk, unkempt and inept - but a teacher's union became involved and the case ended in a mediation hearing and confidential Board of Trustees payout in 2001.

When Burrett was convicted last month, the education ministry said it checked all records for any historical complaints received during Burrett's employment, but none were found.

Sources

• New Zealand Herald
• Image: New Zealand Herald

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement 2011 statistics were recently released by the New Zealand Qualifications Association, revealing the pass rates for Rotorua high schools.John Paul College