Former Wesley College kitchen worker Tewinika Harwood sentenced on sex offence
A former Wesley College kitchen worker who admitted a sex offence against an underage girl has been ordered to serve 10 months’ home detention.
Tewinika Harwood pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual connection with a young person this year and was sentenced in June.
Manukau District Court Judge David McNaughton said Harwood was a 23-year-old Wesley College kitchen worker at the time of the 2025 offending.
He had been living at the school but resigned last August after the allegations emerged.
“The complainant was a 15-year-old student at the college, and you knew how old she was.”
Judge McNaughton said that between April and June, Harwood and the victim frequently communicated on TikTok, progressing to “daily” conversations.
In July 2025, Harwood and the girl were intimate.
Judge McNaughton said a pre-sentence report noted that Harwood did not think it was a “serious situation” and accepted he knew how old the girl was.
“You should not have done it,” the judge said.
The girl had told another Wesley College worker about the liaison, and eventually the school found out.
“You have had no contact with her since,” the judge said.
The probation officer wrote there did not appear to be abuse of power, deception or coercion involved.
Judge McNaughton set a sentence starting point of three years’ imprisonment and gave Harwood a 25% discount for his guilty plea, 10% for absence of prior convictions and 5% for remorse.
“Which gets me to an end sentence of 22 months, that is within range for home detention.
“There is a suitable address, and I am going to substitute home detention here because you have no relevant previous convictions, because of your age and remorse, so it will be a sentence of 10 months’ home detention.”
Harwood was also ordered to undergo an assessment for the Safe programme and not associate with anyone under 16 without supervision.
The judge did not add Harwood’s name to the sex offender register.
“It seems to me you are not an ongoing risk of further sexual offending.”
Wesley College and Harwood’s lawyer have been approached for comment.
Statutory manager Kevin Bush said the school’s thoughts remained with the former student and her wellbeing.
“Wesley College fully supported the police investigation from the moment this matter was brought to our attention, and we acknowledge the court’s decision to hold the individual accountable.
“Out of respect for the privacy of the former student and their family, we will not be making any further comment.”
Wesley College principal Brian Evans told the Herald last year thatthe student’s family, police and Oranga Tamariki were immediately informed after the school learned of the allegations last August.
After being notified of the claims, Harwood did not return to work.
Evans saidthe school’s priority was the student’s wellbeing.
“We offered her and her family support, then handed the matter over to police for investigation.
“The family expressed appreciation for the way the situation was handled under our safeguarding protocols ... We have not identified any other students affected.”
Evans said the worker had passed police vetting and reference checks before being employed.
Based on Wesley’s investigation and the police inquiry, the school was satisfied there was no further risk to students, he said.
“So sharing the information with other parents was not deemed necessary.”
Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues such as sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.
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