Allan McKenzie Haua, 35, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of assault with intent to injure and making a false statement.
It marks another unwelcome episode for the under-fire Te Kāika.
The Otago Daily Times revealed earlier this month the multimillion-dollar health and social service provider is being investigated by the Department of Internal Affairs over loans to board chairwoman Donna Matahaere-Atariki and her CEO son Matt Matahaere, which the department said were "of concern".
On October 26, while that probe was ongoing, Haua was walking to work through Abbotsford, when a 16-year-old passed him on a moped, then doubled back.
The pair had known each other through the teen’s previous placement in the youth residence where the defendant worked, the court heard.
Court documents said the victim made a racial and sexual slur towards Haua before lifting the visor of his helmet, exposing his identity.
The defendant gave chase as the youth turned to ride away, grabbing his hoodie and pulling him off the vehicle.
The court heard Haua then straddled the victim and punched him 10-15 times in the head and body.
"The defendant got off the victim and stomped on him with significant force," a police summary said.
Later, Haua called police and gave a signed statement claiming he was the one who had been attacked.
When officers accessed CCTV from nearby, the truth was inescapable.
Haua later told police he had "panicked" and was unsure why he had lied in his statement.
The victim suffered grazes to his legs and head, as well as a swollen elbow.
At the defendant’s request, Judge Steve Bonnar, KC, did not enter convictions, allowing for an application for a discharge without conviction at sentencing in April.
Haua has no previous convictions and was remanded on bail.
A spokeswoman said Haua was not employed by Te Kāika and refused to answer questions about how the incident reflected on the organisation.
"We will not be making any comment with regard to a case before the courts," she said.
