A former teacher at one of the country's top schools is on trial accused of committing an indecent act in a classroom.
The man, whose name is suppressed at least until the judge-alone trial at Auckland District Court is over, is accused of masturbating in class while watching pornography on a school-issue laptop.
He denies committing the indecent act but concedes he was watching pornography.
His defence counsel Richard Earwaker also disputes the man was in a public place despite an earlier ruling saying the classroom could be considered public.
The teacher, in his late 40s, appeared at the trial in a suit and sat next to his lawyer taking notes.
His wife was also in court.
The alleged act occurred in June 2013. The man was suspended before resigning the following month.
He was also suspended from teaching by the Teachers Council.
The court heard this morning that nine witnesses will appear before Judge Anne Kiernan, including students who allegedly witnessed the act, the school principal, teachers and police.
The trial is expected to last until tomorrow.
By Kirsty Johnston of the New Zealand Herald
